The German second-tier side, Schalke 04 have announced a new sponsorship deal with a housing company, Vivawest.
As part of the agreement, the company’s logo will be displayed on the team’s jersey with immediate effect. Moreover, both parties have agreed not to reveal any further information about the partnership.
Following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the club ended its collaboration with Gazprom earlier this week. Since 2007, the Russian company has been the most important financier of the relegated Bundesliga team, which has liabilities of approximately 200 million euros.
The club was looking for another sponsorship deal to replace Gazprom and quickly found one in Vivawest.
Chairman of the Vivawest management board, Uwe Eichner, said, “We see ourselves as a company with a long tradition of providing company housing for mining workers and, with our administrative headquarters located in Gelsenkirchen, we see it as our duty to support Schalke. The terrible events in Ukraine require all of us to stand together and to show solidarity. In this spirit, we are agreeing on a temporary partnership with FC Schalke 04 based on our shared values, and are very much looking forward to it.”
Dr Bernd Schröder, CEO of FC Schalke 04, commented, “We are very grateful to VIVAWEST for their support during a challenging time. After terminating our partnership with GAZPROM this past week, we have managed to swiftly drive forward the necessary realignment of Schalke 04. Our discussions with Vivawest were marked by a shared appreciation and respect. This partnership marks the start of a new era at Schalke.”
Christina Rühl-Hamers, the board member for finance, said, “Being able to find a new partner so quickly sends a positive signal to our fans and partners, both with respect to our medium-term financial planning and the corporate bond we are planning to take out shortly. Our financial capacity to act was given at all times, and now it’s about further building it up and using the opportunities that present themselves. We are confident that we will manage this, also thanks to the partnership with Vivawest.”
Peter Knäbel, a board member for sport and communication, stated, “VIVAWEST and FC Schalke 04 share the reality that for several decades, we have played a central role in the day-to-day lives of many people in the Ruhr Valley. We now want to carry this long history into a successful future together. We want to be successful together, both on and off the pitch.”
Vivawest is one of the leading housing companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. It manages nearly 120,000 apartments in approximately 100 municipalities along the Rhine and Ruhr, housing nearly 300,000 people. The company’s origins can be traced back to nearly 100 years when large mining estates were built for miners on the Rhine and Ruhr.