ISL Worldwide, an ISMM Group company, and Brazilian football club Grêmio Futebol Porto Alegrense have entered into a comprehensive 15-year partnership. ISL Worldwide, one of the world’s leading sports media and marketing companies, will handle all commercial rights for the tricolor (three-colored uniform) gaucho club Grêmio, a two-time Brazilian National Champion with the largest supporter base in Southern Brazil. In return, ISL Worldwide will share revenues from the exploitation of these rights with Grêmio. In addition, ISL Worldwide will make a substantial up-front investment and will also assist the club in renegotiating its current debt.
The agreement, initially concluded in June, was officially signed on Friday in Porto Allegre by Grêmio President José Alberto Machado Guerreiro and Heinz Schurtenberger, CEO of ISL Worldwide as well as Wesley Cardia, General Manager of ISL do Brasil. The agreement foresees the complete refurbishment of Estádio Olímpico (the club’s arena), to be transformed into a modern stadium in compliance with international standards. The club’s players will receive a state-of-the-art training facility, to be built in Eldorado do Sul.
At the signing ceremony, Grêmio President José Alberto Machado Guerreiro commented: ‘With this agreement, Grêmio will be provided with a sound financial base. Grêmio is poised to attract even more fans with exciting football in an exciting environment.’
Heinz Schurtenberger, CEO of ISL Worldwide, commented: ‘I am very pleased that Grêmio has selected ISL Worldwide. We will bring to this partnership all of our long-standing sports marketing experience to assist Grêmio in its ambitions. I am looking forward to see Grêmio continue to play the great football that has made them so popular with fans all over Brazil.’
Founded in 1903, Grêmio is the largest and most popular football club in the south of Brazil and the sixth largest nation-wide, with more than 6 million fans. Grêmio’s fan base in the State of Rio Grande do Sul is continually growing and today its followers account for over 50% of the state’s football fans. Among the Club’s main titles are 32 State Championships, two National Championships, two victories in the Libertadores Cup and as well as one Intercontinental Cup (Toyota Cup) trophy. Since December 1999, ISL Worldwide has already been the exclusive commercial partner of the Brazilian club Flamengo.
For Further Information Please Conract:
Roland Haefeli
Head of ISL Media Relations
Tel: +41 41 228 9711
Fax: +41 41 228 9683
email: roland.haefeli@islworld.com
http://www.islworld.com
http://www.ismmgroup.com