The bank has been the main sponsor for the past 15 years, but the league has now started to court other new potential backers, as Barclays’ current 120 million-pound ($189 million) three-year contract ends after next season.
The deal is the first that does not give the bank an exclusive period to renew, meaning the league’s eyes could be set elsewhere post the current era, but the bank said it would negotiate again.
Officials said some “products and services” companies with operations in Africa and Asia, where the league is popular, had expressed interest, while some U.S. companies had also contacted the league, amid a spike in interest there since NBC Sports started screening games last season.
Meanwhile league action continues at the weekend, following midweek games that took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Liverpool, still unconvincing as title contenders, host Sunderland hoping to bring back on track their faltering title race, while Manchester will hope to continue their rise when they host Everton.
Arsenal, yet another of the perennial title contenders, will be away to Stoke City, while Tottenham Hotspur host Crystal Palace, the home also seeking to restructure and re-align with the winners.
Other fixtures: Saturday: Queens Park Rangers vs Burnley; Hull City vs West Bromwich Albion
Sunday: Aston Villa vs Leicester City
Post published in: Football