Mastercard has shown its belief in the growth of women’s football, becoming Arsenal Women Football Club’s first major official partner.
The partnership combines the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions with one of the world’s most active sponsors of major sporting events with the aim to send a powerful signal in the women’s game.
Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s chief marketing and communications officer, explained: “By investing significantly in women’s football, as a professional and influential sport, we have an opportunity to directly impact the lives of athletes and help build sustainable programmes to which girls and women around the world can aspire.”
Arsenal Women’s general manager, Clare Wheatley, echoed Rajamannar’s thoughts and described the new deal as an “exciting new chapter” for the club.
She said: “The women’s game has grown exponentially in recent years, allowing more people around the world to experience and follow women’s football.
“The support from across the club and our fans has enabled us to win the Women’s Super League this season and qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season – and this partnership will help us to take our game to the next level.”
Mastercard has been active in sports sponsorship for many years and has been a longstanding advocate of the importance of diversity, inclusion and integrity in sport.
Partnering with Arsenal Women is an effort to raise awareness, increase investment, professionalism and competition in the women’s game.
Arsenal Women have won 60 trophies in their history and are undoubtedly one of the world’s most-followed women’s sports team – with nearly five million likes on its Facebook profile.
Arsenal’s managing director, Vinai Venkatesham, said: “Arsenal Women has such a rich history of success and the club’s longstanding commitment to growing and developing the women’s game has ensured the team has stayed at the top of their game for more than 30 years.
“We’re the most successful women’s football team in England – something we’re all incredibly proud of at Arsenal – but we don’t want to stop there. Partnering with a global player like Mastercard is a huge statement for women’s sport.
“The partnership will help us build on our success, but it will also promote the women’s game globally and continue to develop and attract the world’s best talent, and inspire generations of young sportswomen.”
Arsenal’s commercial director, Peter Silverstone, concluded: “This partnership is extremely important for the growth of the women’s game. Mastercard’s partnership with us isn’t just an investment into our own team, but is a powerful statement for the women’s game at large.
“We’re delighted that Mastercard has partnered with our women’s team to help the brand reach a broader audience to show its investment in, and commitment to, women’s sport.”
