LaLiga and Vivo strike strategic alliance

Liam Watson11/02/2022 5:55 am21/02/2022

LaLiga and technology company Vivo have signed a strategic alliance in Spain and Portugal, agreed for the next two years.

Vivo, the fourth-largest smart devices brand in the world, is becoming LaLiga’s first official smartphone partner. This deal will run until 2025, harnessing both entities’ commitment in delivering excellence on entertainment and sports industry’s digital transformation.

Vivo’s president for Spain and Portugal, Diego Xiao: “LaLiga and vivo share a passion for making new, unique and innovative experiences possible for our fans. In fact, a fundamental part of this collaboration, in line with the slogan of a campaign we’re launching “Cuánto más lo vives, más te une”, is the commitment of both brands to design, innovation and passion.”

Executive general director at LaLiga, Óscar Mayo: “We are delighted to welcome vivo to the portfolio of LaLiga sponsors. We both look for excellence in what we do. At LaLiga, we work to offer football fans the best audiovisual products and we know that vivo focuses on helping its users to enjoy the greatest experiences and to achieve the ‘Perfect shot’.”

Vivo is the fourth-largest smart devices brand worldwide and this sponsorship agreement consolidates the company’s backing of football, of which it is already an official partner for the UEFA EURO 2020, FIFA 2022 and UEFA EURO 2024; as well as strengthening its commitment to Spain, of which is a key market for the company.

“2022 is going to be an exciting year for vivo in Spain. We are very proud that this country is the best performing in Europe and one of our key markets. For this reason, we would like to thank consumers for their trust, as we know that football arouses passions here and we want to share them with fans from all over the country, and the rest of the world,” Diego Xiao said.

Since launching in Europe during October of 2020, Vivo has already achieved good momentum in the continent. Detailed reports by industry analysts have detected continuous growth, highlighting Vivo’s determination and commitment to the European markets, following its mantra: doing right things in the right way.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

Patrick Irving16/04/2026 8:55 am16/04/2026

Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

Patrick Irving15/04/2026 6:05 am14/04/2026

Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.