Turkish tyre firm Lassa signs $24 million sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona


Turkey's leading tyre manufacturer on Wednesday announced a 21.6 million euro ($24 million) sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona.The four-year global partnership agreement between Lassa Tyres and Spain's top football club will see the club's basketball, handball, roller hockey and five-a-side football teams officially rebranded FC Barcelona Lassa - the first time the club's indoor sports teams have shared a commercial partner.The deal gives Lassa comprehensive branding and promotional rights."With this partnership deal, Lassa Tyres made history as the first Turkish brand undertaking the global title partnership of all indoor sports teams of a club," Brisa, the company that owns the Lassa brand, said in a statement."Lassa Tyres also became the second global brand that supports more than one FC Barcelona team."Brisa Chief Executive Hakan Bayman said: "FC Barcelona is among the world's most appreciated clubs. It is an example-setting club in traditional values, social vision and a strong academy culture."We believe that Brisa's respect for people and environment, and our focus on sustainable development are in line with FC Barcelona's deep-rooted values."Barcelona Vice President Javier Faus welcomed the "historic agreement" and added: "We couldn't wish to have a better partner. Lassa Tyres forms part of a leading industrial group in Turkey, where Barca is a big name and where we already have very important partners."This agreement takes us even closer to our fans around the world thanks to the worldwide arena in which Lassa Tyres operates."Brisa is Europe's seventh largest tyre manufacturer and sells in more than 60 countries. There are more than 1,200 shops in Turkey and 122 stores abroad selling Lassa Tyres.