- Hansa confirms sponsor wants to terminate contract early
Football Third Division side Hansa Rostock loses its main sponsor. Whether this is possible before the end of the contract term needs to be clarified legally. "It is correct that our main and jersey partner 28 BLACK wants to end the cooperation with F.C. Hansa Rostock before the end of the contract term on 30.06.2025," the club confirmed in a statement.
The club "deeply regrets" this and refers to a very successful marketing partnership, including 36,000 jerseys sold.
The "Ostsee" newspaper had initially reported that the beverage company Splendid Drinks AG had terminated the 2022 contract without notice and stopped its payments. The company advertises its energy drink brand "28 Black" on the jerseys.
Report: Fan disturbances are said to be the reason for the withdrawal
The reason for the withdrawal is said to be the regular disturbances by Hansa fans in the past. The company fears damage to its image and brand, the "Ostsee" newspaper wrote. No details were given in the Hansa statement.
"We are also very surprised that this sensitive topic has become public," the club wrote on its website. Until the morning, we were in intensive talks with "28 Black" to find a solution in a constructive dialogue with the responsible persons of "28 Black" and to coordinate a joint communication. "Unfortunately, this was not successful."
Sponsor remains on the chest for the time being
At the explicit request of the main and jersey partner, all advertising measures and presences in and around the Ostseestadion and in the Hansa fan shops are to be completely neutralized, Hansa further announced. This wish was already partly fulfilled at the home match last Saturday against VfB Stuttgart II (1:1).
The freed-up advertising partner rights will be marketed without restriction elsewhere. "28 Black" will remain on the jerseys and team clothing of the professional team, coaches, and staff until the end of the current 2024/2025 season. This also applies to the already produced and still available fan articles such as jerseys and other textile clothing in the Hansa fan shop.
FC Hansa once again emphasized that it assumes a valid contract with "28 Black". Due to possible licensing conditions, Hansa Rostock has already contacted the German Football Association (DFB). The club board excludes negative effects on the license and budget planning for the current season. According to the "Ostsee" newspaper, the club should receive 750,000 euros in the third division season after relegation from the second division. In the 2. Bundesliga, there was one million euros.
"28 Black" is still listed as the main sponsor on the Hansa website's sponsor overview. However, Hansa Rostock is no longer listed as a partner on the "28 Black" homepage. There, basketball world champion Dennis Schröder is presented as the most prominent advertising figure, along with basketball Bundesliga team Löwen Braunschweig, HSV futsalers, and Darmstadt 98, where the brand logo is visible on the jersey sleeves.
FC Hansa presented Splendid Drinks AG with the 28 BLACK brand as the new main sponsor at the end of May 2022. The cooperation was agreed for three years and not limited to the professional team. The engagement also included the youth and women's areas.
Despite the legal uncertainty about terminating the contract prematurely, FC Hansa deeply regretns the decision of 28 BLACK to end their successful marketing partnership. The ongoing cooperation with 28 BLACK will continue to be visible on the club's jerseys and team clothing in the Third League, as agreed in the 2022 contract.
