Socios to Sign More Main Kit Sponsor Deals?
Jul 28, 2021, by Chris
Update: We have imagined how the kits of Bayern, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea would look with the Socios advertising. Of these teams, Arsenal and Barcelona already have regular sponsorship deals with Socios.
What If? 2021-22 Kits With Socios Sponsor
Italian giants Inter Milan have become the latest club to sign a deal with Chiliz, $CHZ (Socios), a blockchain provider for the global sports and entertainment industry. Will Socios sign further teams and main shirt sponsorship places?
Update: This article stated that the UFC Token was trading at a 95% loss from its initial €2 pricing. This was an error on our part as there was a mix-up with the Union Fair Coin token, which is also known as UFC. It appears that the actual Ultimate Fighting Championship Fan Token is not yet traded publicly as it was only launched in late June.
Socios Already Sponsors Dozens of Big Teams & Other Sports
Socios allows fans to "get closer to their club and, for example, vote for some things such as the design of the bus, or makes (social media) contests".
Earlier this week, Socios.com also added Arsenal to its portfolio. Their range of deals includes major football clubs Barcelona, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, AC Milan and Atlético Madrid as well as leading MMA brands Ultimate Fighting Championship plus some Formula 1 teams.
Socios can afford sponsorships due to "highly profitable business" rather than investor money
A report from SportBusiness suggests Socios can finance the deals by themselves and not by an investor.
According to Matthew Glendinning from SportBusiness, the brand’s marketing spend is not driven by investor capital, but by its profitability to date. They can afford sponsorships due to "highly profitable business" rather than investor money.
It seems pretty certain that it is the fans who lose their money & that Socios will sign more teams
With Socios apparently having a profitable business, it seems well possible that they will sign further front-of-shirt sponsor deals.
Socios.com Cryptocurrency - Rip-Off Of Fans?
However, while the concept of Socios sounds great at first glance, there are some questions about whether it is just a big rip-off of club supporters.
The business model and possible problems for fans were highlighted by @uglygame on Twitter.
What Socios Is
- A cryptocurrency company that partners with sports clubs to issues Fan Tokens
- People (they don't have to be club fans) buy these tokens, giving access to votes on aspects of the club
- Barca, Juve, PSG, and others are signed up
- Each club issues tens or hundreds of millions of tokens
- To buy tokens, you have to use Socios's own cryptocurrency, Chiliz
Problems With Socios
- Socios makes "indefinite" money of Initial Token Sales - they do not say how much money they make from the initial token sales
- Charges fans for influence on their club
- Votes often on pointless issues
- Anyone can buy tokens - inc. fans of other clubs
- Not One member, one vote
- Uses cryptocurrency
- Prices subject to wild swings for non-football reasons
- Encourages financial speculation
In the end, it seems to be all about speculation and the recent hype about crypto has helped most coins tokens gain a fair bit of traction earlier this year. The Chiliz (CHZ) coin price is up more than 1100% since the start of the year, but down almost 75% from its all-time high on March 13th.
Chiliz has a revenue target of $150m (€127.2m) in 2021, of which half is shared with its affiliated sports organizations. Socios is also investing $50m in an expansion into the US.
Socios pays Inter 20 million Euro for one season
It remains to be seen if Socios will sign further main sponsorship deals in the future but we would not be surprised to see them in the Premier League as well.
Do you think we will see Socios on the front of the kits of more football teams? Comment below.
Macron Showcases Rimini Calcio Hooped Shirt in 'Unveilievable' Campaign
Italian sportswear brand Macron has spotlighted an eye-catching Rimini Calcio 1912 shirt as part of its ongoing 26-27 "Unveilievable" campaign. Celebrating the club's identity under the label's "Fashion in Sport" banner, the design offers a sharp, vintage-inspired hooped aesthetic that complements the team's traditional red and white quartered look.
The shirt is defined by bold red and white horizontal hoops, each red band carrying subtle fine lines running horizontally across the fabric. A ribbed V-neck collar and matching cuffs feature coordinated red and white striped trims, while a raised, metallic-effect heritage crest sits prominently on the chest. The historic emblem incorporates the Arch of Augustus, the city's red cross shield, and an old-school leather football. Sleeve graphics round out the local touch, featuring the pirate motif of Rimini landmark Bounty on the right sleeve alongside La Mi Ma branding on the left.
Rolled out as part of Macron's broader 26-27 portfolio campaign, the release demonstrates the Italian brand's emphasis on bespoke design across every tier of its club roster. While Rimini continue their campaign on the pitch in their signature checkered shirts, this hooped edition offers a stylish tribute to more than a century of club heritage.
Wydad AC 26-27 Home Kit Released
Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 season, created in collaboration with Italian sportswear brand Kappa. Launched under the banner "THIS IS WYDAD," the shirt highlights the club's deep-rooted identity with a classic, retro-inspired aesthetic.
The Kappa Wydad 26-27 home jersey is predominantly red and accented with crisp white detailing. Its focal points include a striking red-and-white striped V-neck collar and matching trim along the cuffs. A subtle, tonal geometric pattern consisting of dynamic diagonal stripes runs across the torso, while white Kappa Omini logos sit across the chest and shoulders alongside the iconic circular Wydad AC crest.
The new Wydad 26-27 home shirt is already available for supporters to purchase through the club's official retail channels.
Albacete Balompié 26-27 Third Kit Released & Debuted
Spanish club Albacete Balompié has officially unveiled and debuted its new adidas third kit for the 26-27 season. The new strip received an immediate on-pitch premiere during the team's La Liga Hypermotion clash away to Girona at Montilivi, completing the club's 26-27 wardrobe following the release of their white home and away shirts earlier in the summer.
Created through the adidas Locker Room platform, the Albacete 26-27 third shirt features a black base overlaid with an energetic red geometric gradient pattern across the front. Striking bright orange accents add pop to the crew-neck collar and shoulder Three Stripes. The club crest is executed in a monochrome orange finish on the left chest to match the adidas performance logo and sponsor graphics.
Matching black shorts and socks, both trimmed with bright orange detailing, complete the full Albacete Balompié 26-27 third strip. What do you think of Albacete's new third kit?
CD Guadalajara 26-27 Away Kit Released
Spanish side CD Guadalajara has unveiled its new away kit for the 26-27 season. Produced once again by Kappa, the new release offers a sharp, colorful alternative that directly complements the club's primary identity.
The Kappa CD Guadalajara 26-27 away shirt is predominantly bright yellow, paired with bold purple accents honoring the club's signature morado shade. Purple covers the rounded crew collar, sleeve trim, and sponsor branding, including the Hercesa chest sponsor. Kappa's iconic Omini logos run in purple along the shoulders and right chest, while matching yellow shorts with purple hems and side logo tracks complete the full kit.
This away strip follows the launch of Guadalajara's 26-27 home shirt earlier in September, which brought a classic all-purple foundation detailed with crisp white piping and logos.
Wydad 26-27 Home Kit Released
Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club and Kappa have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 26-27 season. Built around the club's traditional red base, the shirt features subtle tonal geometric striping across the front panel for a clean and textured appearance. A retro-inspired red and white striped V-neck collar anchors the classic design, complemented by contrasting white Kappa Omini logos on the chest and shoulders alongside a monochrome white club crest.
Albacete Balompié 26-27 Third Kit Released & Debuted
Spanish club Albacete Balompié debuted their new adidas third kit for the 26-27 season during their La Liga 2 fixture against Girona at Montilivi. The Adidas Locker Room shirt features a black base adorned with a red geometric gradient stripe pattern across the front, highlighted by vibrant orange accents on the crew collar, the adidas Three Stripes running down the shoulders, and a monochrome orange edition of the club crest. Completed with matching black shorts and socks featuring orange detailing, the kit joins the club's traditional white home and away strips for the ongoing campaign.
Atalanta 26-27 Third Kit Released
Atalanta and New Balance have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Completing the Italian side's set alongside the previously launched home and away strips, the jersey introduces an elegant aesthetic rooted in the architectural heritage of Bergamo.
The New Balance Atalanta 26-27 third shirt is finished in a warm beige base officially dubbed 'Toasted Sesame', accented by black and 'Taffy Blue' trim on the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. Subtly woven across the body is a geometric jacquard pattern inspired by the famous sundial of Bergamo's Palazzo della Ragione. The chest prominently features Atalanta's retro 1964 crest, which depicts the running goddess alongside traditional black and blue stripes.
The New Balance branding appears in black, while Lete's red logo and SNAIFUN complete the front sponsorship. Inside the collar, a bespoke graphic highlights the Bergamo skyline accompanied by the motto 'LA MAGLIA SUDATA SEMPRE'. Crafted with breathable NB DRYx technology, the new kit is available now via the club's official channels.