IFS and Chelsea reaffirm partnership but AI firm won’t be front-of-shirt
Industrial AI firm IFS has reaffirmed commitment to its global partnership with Chelsea but will not remain the Premier League club’s front-of-shirt sponsor.
IFS appeared on the front of Chelsea’s shirts for the latter part of last season, having signed a three-year contract with the US-owned West London side in February.
But their expanded partnership, which will see IFS embedded into Chelsea’s football operations, will see them move off the main shirt spot.
An IFS spokesperson told CityAM: “IFS’s partnership with Chelsea was structured from day one to run through 2028, with the front-of-shirt sponsorship last season representing the first phase of that agreement.”
The deal will see IFS used for “real-time visibility across legal entities, currencies and reporting lines”, and “guided, end-to-end buying process from request through approval and supplier collaboration”. The club has said AI can help its plans to become one of the most advanced in the world.
Chelsea will be managed by Xabi Alonso this season after a tumultuous season which saw the club finish 10th in the Premier League.
Chelsea expand IFS deal
Added IFS: “As Chelsea’s global partner from next season, our relationship with the club continues and is now expanding significantly, with IFS technology and industrial AI embedded across Chelsea’s operations as part of a long-term programme.”
Added Chelsea chief finance officer Adriel Lares: “Advanced technology is transforming the way businesses operate and we are excited to be moving into the next phase of our partnership with IFS to realise the opportunities AI software presents.”
Chelsea are on the lookout for a new front-of-shirt sponsor and are reportedly asking for £40m per season for the honour.
A number of Premier League clubs have been forced into looking for new front-of-shirt sponsors after the introduction of a voluntary ban on betting and casino brands came into force at the end of the season.
But Chelsea have played with a number of short-term front-of-shirt partners since the end of their deal with telecommunications giant Three, with Infinite Athlete, Damac Properties and IFS each having brief stints.