Norwich City and BK8 Terminate Shirt Sponsorship Deal

Earlier this week Norwich City announced Asian gambling firm BK8 as the clubs new shirt sponsor from the start of the 2021-22 season, but today the two parties have agreed to mutually terminate their partnership.

Since the announcement of the shirt sponsorship deal with BK8 the club have faced a backlash from the clubs supporters as numerous posts on the Asian gambling firms social media accounts feature scantily clad women being sexualised.

On Monday BK8 issued a statement via the club which read, “We have immediately removed all marketing material of this nature”, despite this similar content appeared on their YouTube and TikTok accounts Tuesday morning.

The company posted a video on YouTube to promote Euro 2020 but again it featured sexualised women. It was swiftly removed but other videos on their account titled “Sexy Gaming” remain.

Norwich City’s chief operating officer Ben Kensell said, “We have worked hard to build trust and engagement through our countless initiatives with our supporters and partners. We place huge value on our open and honest relationships with our community and supporters.

“As a self-financed club there is always a fine balance between generating the revenue levels required to help maintain that model, whilst working within our visions and values.

“On this occasion, we made an error of judgement. Our standards were not at the levels we demand of our football club.

“We can now only apologise to our supporters and former players, Grant Holt and Darren Eadie, who were across the BK8 promotional launch campaign, for any offence caused.

“We remain highly committed to diversity and equality across our football club and its community. We want to continue to embed a highly inclusive culture across the club, together with an accessible and welcoming environment free of demeaning and discriminatory behaviours.”

Norwich City will announce a new shirt sponsor in due course.