Hammers Have To Bite The Betting Bullet Sometime Soon

Cognitive psychologists have a therapeutic mantra that goes along the lines of " It is better to compromise, rather than to be compromised" in order to help their client's recovery, West Ham United are very soon going to have to face the issue of how to survive without their current sponsor Betway.

Draft legislation regarding the restriction of 'overt' advertising for Gambling companies is already at an advanced stage, retaining a Betting company as the club's main sponsor will no longer be an option sooner rather than later. It is to be hoped that those in control of corporate sponsorship have seen the lay of the land way ahead and have taken appropriate action in order for the club NOT to be involved in a last minute scramble for a 'legitimate' sponsor.

Over half the clubs in the Barclays premier League are currently sponsored by betting/gaming companies, a situation that HAS to change. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of an individual's gambling addiction will testify as to the enormous amount of damage it can cause. Wall to wall advertising encouraging people to place bets in order to 'fit in' are common place and perpetuates the damage that is inflicted on family members and friends of the 'infected'.

The 'inspiring' advertising always has a gamble aware message buried somewhere within, but it is generally given as much shrift as are the warnings the government dispenses regarding alcohol intake. How many football supporters do you know who consume alcohol that stays within the limits the guidelines set out?

Sponsorship is extremely important for club finances, especially as a result of the Covid Pandemics effect on income, however clubs like West Ham, as opposed to the majority of clubs in Europe and beyond, have a massive TV revenue still. Perhaps plans are already underway to acquire a 'high profile' sponsor, the route to sponsorship enlightenment might best be one of gradual brand development aligned to the club's continued upward trajectory. Good attracts better, and better attracts good is the saying in specialist sponsorship talk.

A sponsor who doesn't bring a lot of money to the table but have a really good brand name, might be the best option in order to eventually attain a high profile sponsor who does have a lot of money! Imagine if Tesla sponsored the London Bowl? Lit up with holographic Tesla images it would be an advertisers dream and would become iconic, the only problem being who would have the gravitas and business acumen to approach Elon Musk successfully?

Irrespective of who eventually becomes the club's shirt sponsor, what is a fact is that another one HAS to be found and sooner rather than later! West Ham of old would have promised Tesla and ended up with Pound Store, things are allegedly different now, the next sponsorship deal will show exactly how far the club has progressed with both it's on field and off field activities. - Ed