Borussia Dortmund announce controversial sponsorship agreement ahead of Champions League final


 
 
 
 
 
 

Borussia Dortmund find themselves the subject of controversy ahead of the Champion League final.

The Bundesliga club announcing a new sponsorship deal.

The company they have aligned with is Rheinmetall.

Which happens to be a weapons manufacturer…

The Athletic report – 31 May 2024:

‘Borussia Dortmund have signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall.

The logo of the arms company will be displayed on Dortmund’s licensed products ahead of the club’s Champions League final against Real Madrid on June 1 and will be displayed on stadium advertising boards and during press conferences — but it will not appear on players’ shirts.

The German club say the agreement will see Rheinmetall gain “the use of wide-reaching advertising space, marketing rights and event and hospitality arrangements in the stadium and on the club grounds”.

It is the first time that a Bundesliga club have agreed a sponsorship with a German defence company.

Rheinmetall’s chief executive officer Armin Papperger has said the company “share similiar attitudes, ambitions and origins” as Dortmund.

Dortmund’s official fan group have clarified that while it had dialogue with the club ahead of the announcement, it had expressed its concerns and opposition to any agreement — and denied suggestions that a vote had been held on the matter.’