It would suggest that Red Bull have a long-term plan for Leeds United.
Red Bull, who are renowned for their daring marketing tactics have splashed the cash at Leeds‘ and will be promising a transformation in fortunes.
It will still be called a ‘Club Red Bull’, but the influence of its mother company will not go unnoticed.
Major Shirt Sponsorship Deal
Red Bull will be the lead sponsor from the start of the 2024-25 season to replace BOXT.
The images show the shirt with Red Bull branding in what looks to be a signature red-color.
That agreement cost £8 million a year with a total compensation close to £40m over five campaigns. It is notched up now as the largest sponsorship deal in the EFL history.
Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League would make them an even more valuable club and it’s assets including both parachute payments as well as just appearing in general back into that PL spotlight, helped by potential newer fans, increasing the following.
Controversy Over Red Branding
The new design has upset some Leeds’ fans, who are up in arms about red being included due to its links with Manchester United.
Regardless, Red Bull has significant ties to the color red and similar branding strategies have been carried out at some of their other clubs like Leipzig and Salzburg and given the substantial investment, Red Bull wouldn’t change their trademark just to suit Leeds’ identity.
This is Red Bull in part integrating red as they change their wider approach to unite all its sporting efforts under a single brand.
Sports Integration Strategy
Leeds United are also in the process of building their connection to other sports, as regularly seen with Red Bull.
Leeds’ is already working with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and has now built a partnership within F1 as well, forming an alliance this week with Red Bull Racing.
There have been similarities, too: newly-minted first-teamers Ethan Ampadu and Dan James both recently snapped a picture with F1 star Max Verstappen, signaling the overlapping ethos of Red Bull’s motorsports division branding.
Investment from Red Bull would look to lift Leeds United back towards the Premier League.
The move stabilizes the finances of Leeds, while plugging them into Red Bull’s worldwide sports structure that should heat up some interest among fans across England.
