TSV Hartberg, a modest club from a town of just over 6,000 inhabitants, has made global headlines by unveiling its 2025–26 jerseys, adorned with an unprecedented number of sponsors.
For the new season, Hartberg’s home and away kits feature logos from over 20 distinct sponsors across the shirt, shorts, sleeves, and socks—setting a new benchmark in football kit sponsorship . While last season they carried 19 brands, this year’s uniform appears even denser, with some observers counting as many as 20 sponsor logos on the kit alone .
The sponsorship saturation reportedly extends beyond the shirt: names are printed on both sleeves, across the back, on the shorts, and embroidered onto the socks. In total, more than 20 sponsors are included on the full match-day ensemble .
Among the many sponsors, PROFERTIL—a male fertility supplement—stands out prominently. This is not coincidental: the club’s president, Brigitte Annerl, is the founder of Lenus Pharma, the company behind PROFERTIL, and the stadium itself is named the “Profertil Arena.” .
Why such extreme sponsorship? Club officials emphasize financial sustainability. Located in a small town with low match attendance and limited commercial appeal, Hartberg relies on revenue from many small sponsors rather than a single major corporate backer. As the club’s official spokesperson explained, “Without these sponsors, competing in the Austrian Bundesliga would not be financially viable.” .
The jerseys have triggered both fascination and backlash. Fans and commentators worldwide liken the designs to cycling jerseys or NASCAR liveries, suggesting that the logos overwhelm the club’s identity and aesthetics .
No comments:
Post a Comment