Acer set to extend sports sponsorship with FC Barcelona deal

LONDON - The Taiwanese computer brand Acer is expected to sign a multimillion-pound sponsorship promotion with world leading football club FC Barcelona, with exclusive rights to pitch side advertising and television exposure included in the deal.

Barcelona: Acer deal
Barcelona: Acer deal
Acer's deal will entitle the laptop and PC manufacturer to use the FC Barcelona players including Ronaldinho, who in November 2005 was named the European Footballer of the Year and the best striker in the 2004-2005 Champions League season.

The computer manufacturer recently overtook Dell to become Europe's second biggest personal computer company, behind HP.

Additional parts of the deal will mean that Acer will become FC Barcelona's official IT supplier and will receive promotional slots on official club television channel Barca TV.

The deal will not include shirt sponsorship, because FC Barcelona is one of the few top league clubs in the world that has resisted branding on its kit.