Leeds United next in line to re-brand

Leeds United are in talks over a megabucks link-up with energy drink giant Red Bull that could lead to the renaming of the club’s Elland Road ground.

The Yorkshire Evening Post understands top-level discussions have started between club and company about a possible shirt sponsorship agreement.

No-one involved in those discussions is prepared to go on record as to how far reaching any deal could be.

But today’s revelation is likely to prompt speculation that a stadium naming rights deal could also be under consideration.

Red Bull is already involved with a string of football clubs around the world – the New York Red Bulls and Austria’s FC Red Bull Salzburg play in grounds named after the company.

Asked whether the talks could involve a stadium naming rights deal, highly-respected brands expert Jonathan Gabay said: “It’s not out of the question.

“They would have to be cautious, because the initial reaction of football fans is to resist that kind of move. At the same time, however, I think fans are coming round to the idea that this is the way the sport is going.”

Mr Gabay added: “As a brand, Red Bull is all about the idea of excitement. They would want to be involved with a club which matches that image.”

United have made no public comment but managing director David Haigh is known to have well-placed contacts at Red Bull.

A source close to the talks told the YEP: “Red Bull are a huge brand name and a partnership with Leeds would obviously be a really exciting coup.”

Red Bull’s turnover in 2012 was close to five billion euros. The firm’s sporting interests away from football include a Formula 1 motor racing team.

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* Talk of a new name for Elland Road will stir memories of United’s ground move plans during the chairmanship of Peter Ridsdale.

Leeds chose a site off the A1(M) near Stourton for a new stadium and were in negotiations with a number of major international firms over naming rights before the proposal was scuppered by the club’s meltdown on and off the pitch

The Red Bull virus.

This definitely will be interesting.

“They would have to be cautious, because the initial reaction of football fans is to resist that kind of move. At the same time, however, I think fans are coming round to the idea that this is the way the sport is going.”

THIS

I hate Leeds, but I hope it don't happen. Red Bull Leeds playing in the Sky Bet Championship as part of the Sky Bet Football League.

After years in the doldrums but still the deluded whoppers think they are one of the elite clubs in the country I can see them rolling over and accepting it if it means getting the investment to get them back to the PL.

Will watch with interest.

Ive noticed LeedsServiceCrew has been quiet since this post too, lets see what hes got to mouth about now

The only cure for our own rebrand misery is another club, especially one like Leeds United with history, to get rebranded themselves and become an even bigger laughing stock that everyone focuses on. With each new club getting rebranded our very own rebrand will be pushed further into the back of the minds of the media. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to the persons views on the rebrand. I personally dont care no more, what can we do to influence Tan? If he sells, he sells. If he stays, he stays. Football is what it is.

The only cure for our own rebrand misery is another club, especially one like Leeds United with history, to get rebranded themselves and become an even bigger laughing stock that everyone focuses on. With each new club getting rebranded our very own rebrand will be pushed further into the back of the minds of the media. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to the persons views on the rebrand. I personally dont care no more, what can we do to influence Tan? If he sells, he sells. If he stays, he stays. Football is what it is.

Hull City are in talks about getting re-branded to Hull City tigers, they've registered their trademark I think as Hull City Tigers? (I'm not entirely sure on all the copyright/trademark things etc) and on a Stand sponsorship, a person referred to them as 'Hull City Tigers on the official website' etc. They're being referred to as that as well, I know their kit colour isn't being changed or that but to lose the name?

Leeds Utd will definitely get rebranded, Red Bull won't just stop at shirt sponsorship and a ground re-name, they will want the whole hog if they want the full package of the investment. Exactly my stance on things though, I appreciate all the good work Tan for us

Leeds Utd will definitely get rebranded, Red Bull won't just stop at shirt sponsorship and a ground re-name, they will want the whole hog if they want the full package of the investment. Exactly my stance on things though, I appreciate all the good work Tan for us

100% agree with you Jordan. I think plenty of us could look back in a few years time and have an entirely different viewpoint. We won't know until then but I do think some fans should be grateful that Tan at least was willing to keep the bluebird on the badge somewhere. Other companies would have just got rid of it and not worried about a backlash.

Leeds Utd will definitely get rebranded, Red Bull won't just stop at shirt sponsorship and a ground re-name, they will want the whole hog if they want the full package of the investment. Exactly my stance on things though, I appreciate all the good work Tan for us

100% agree with you Jordan. I think plenty of us could look back in a few years time and have an entirely different viewpoint. We won't know until then but I do think some fans should be grateful that Tan at least was willing to keep the bluebird on the badge somewhere. Other companies would have just got rid of it and not worried about a backlash.

One owner I have respect for is Reading's, he seems really down to earth and is doing all the right things, it proves you can have a fan feeling and a business feeling towards it. He's on about setting up an affliation with JUVENTUS. He's backed with a hell of a lot of money and has made their academy Cat 1(one of the elite in the country is when you reach Cat 1)
I'm glad he kept the Bluebird on the badge as it mixes the two. I think sustainability is vital at the moment, if we can establish ourselves as a regular PL side then the sky is the limit.

We CCFC are the first of many

Rebrands will be in lots of forms -
depending on your view or club - you could aregue all day on what is worse
kit colour
badge
ground name
ground move
club name

each of them will hurt but this seems to be a way that wannabee prem clubs financers choose to business plan

Ive noticed LeedsServiceCrew has been quiet since this post too, lets see what hes got to mouth about now

It won't happen we're Leeds and we stand together

Leeds Leeds

Ive noticed LeedsServiceCrew has been quiet since this post too, lets see what hes got to mouth about now

It won't happen we're Leeds and we stand together

Leeds Leeds

Didn't stand together when Bates got his grotty little hands on Leeds

Ive noticed LeedsServiceCrew has been quiet since this post too, lets see what hes got to mouth about now

It won't happen we're Leeds and we stand together

Leeds Leeds

It would be nice to get a real Leeds fan on here with their educated opinion instead of a teenage illiterate troll pretending to be a Leeds fan. f*cking hell you're stupid

Our club are ahead of their time, over the next five years rebranding will become the norm, football will change and tradition wi be lost, it's a shame but It looks that way to me, it's already happening step by step.

Ive noticed LeedsServiceCrew has been quiet since this post too, lets see what hes got to mouth about now

It won't happen we're Leeds and we stand together

Leeds Leeds

It would be nice to get a real Leeds fan on here with their educated opinion instead of a teenage illiterate troll pretending to be a Leeds fan. f*cking hell you're stupid

What makes it worse is that half of this lot actually believe he's a genuine Leeds fan. I really don't know who's the most stupid here. He's one of a growing number of irritating trolls frequenting this board of late.

Ive noticed LeedsServiceCrew has been quiet since this post too, lets see what hes got to mouth about now

It won't happen we're Leeds and we stand together

Leeds Leeds

It would be nice to get a real Leeds fan on here with their educated opinion instead of a teenage illiterate troll pretending to be a Leeds fan. f*cking hell you're stupid