Udinese Calcio scores big with Prestipay backing

Udinese

Serie A side Udinese Calcio announced the addition of Prestipay to the Udinese family.

Climbing aboard as a new co-sponsor for the 2022/23 season, Prestipay joins other major sponsors, such as the likes of Dacia, Macron and Bluenergy, publicly supporting the Udine, Italy-based club.

Prestipay S.p.A. is a consumer credit company within the Cassa Centrale Group.

The Cassa Centrale Group are among the leading banking groups in Italy, in terms of assets and capital solidity. Currently, it is also the leading Italian Cooperative Banking Group.

Committed to developing financial solutions that are both accessible and innovative, Prestipay prides itself on being transparent and sustainable whilst upholding an awareness-focused and responsible approach to providing for its customers.

These same values are reciprocated in the ideals and beliefs that encompass Udinese Calcio.

The new collaboration between Udinese Calcio and Prestipay is solely based on these shared values. To these organisations, this sponsorship is more than just a simple commercial relationship, it paves the way for both companies to create names for themselves at a national level. Together, the two are able to celebrate teamwork and innovation, creating strategies to master the latest trends in their specific fields.

Udinese Calcio General Manager, Franco Collavino, expressed his satisfaction when discussing the new sponsorship in a press release:

“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Prestipay,” he said.

“We’re bringing our goals together given the several points of common in our visions as businesses, including particular focus on Italian consumers. Prestipay has established itself as a market leader that meets the needs of consumers across the country. The commitment to developing its own model while respecting the traits of managerial sustainability is part of the values that best sum up the importance that we attach to seeking out our partners. I’d like to warmly welcome Prestipay to the Udinese family.”

Prestipay General Manager, Paolo Massarutto, agreed on the importance and positive influence that this partnership brings, confirming in a statement:

“The partnership with Udinese Calcio is hugely valuable for our brand,” he explained.

“It kicks off a collaboration between two entrepreneurial businesses that stand out in their respective sectors for their success and there’s also a common strand of DNA that combines a feeling of closeness with the local area and community as well as a natural propensity to innovate and use new technology in a bid to bring concrete benefits to consumers.”

Appearing on the Udinese Calcio first-team’s playing jersey, Prestipay made their sponsorship debut during a friendly game against Lecce on Friday, December 23, 2022, at Dacia Arena.

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APL and PFA remain without agreement as bargaining tensions continue

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations continuing less than three months before the start of the 2026–27 A-Leagues season.

The APL presented the players’ union with a new one-year interim proposal on August 5, which included an increase to the A-League Women salary cap and a commitment to establish a pathway towards full-time professionalism for the women’s competition within 12 months.

The proposed agreement would provide an interim framework while the two parties continue discussions over a longer-term collective bargaining agreement.

APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the proposal reflected the league’s commitment to reaching a sustainable agreement with players following eight months of negotiations.

However, the PFA criticised the APL for publicly announcing the proposal shortly after presenting it to the union, arguing that the approach had further damaged trust between the two parties.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch also said players had overwhelmingly rejected the APL’s previous final offer, citing a lack of trust in the league’s ability to ensure its future.

Full-time professionalism for the A-League Women remains a key priority for the PFA, with players seeking improved conditions and greater investment in the competition.

The A-League Men and A-League Women seasons are both scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026.

With the new season approaching, both parties face pressure to resolve the dispute and establish the framework governing player conditions across the A-Leagues.

 

 

Jeff Bezos consortium set for $2.7 billion Liverpool investment

Liverpool could soon welcome one of the world’s richest men into its ownership structure.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium in advanced talks to buy a 30% stake in the club.

The proposed deal values Liverpool at around $8.6 billion (4.5 billion pounds). Bezos has a personal fortune estimated at $363 billion.

The investment would give Fenway Sports Group (FSG) a major financial return. It would also allow FSG to keep control of the club, which they bought in 2010.

The proposal has attracted attention across football. It has also created concern among sections of the Liverpool fanbase.

FSG set for major return

FSG bought Liverpool for $573 million (300 million pounds) in 2010. The ownership group later provided further funding through loans. In the last 16 years, the club has undergone major growth.

Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a league title in 2020. The club also won the Champions League in 2019. Another Premier League title followed in 2025.

Stadium redevelopment and a new training centre have also increased the club’s value. FSG could cash in on $2.7 billion (1.4 billion pounds) if the 30% share is sold.

The deal would therefore represent a huge return on its original investment. However, whilst the investment would provide a massive cash out for the owners of Liverpool, due to Financial Fair Play there won’t be increased investment in the transfer market.

Why Bezos wants Liverpool

Bezos has explored sports investments before. He has been linked with major American franchises such as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Liverpool would give him a stake in one of football’s biggest global brands. The club also has a large following in the United States. The New York Times has also reported Liverpool has 26 million fans in America.

That makes the investment attractive for investors looking to expand their reach in global sport. American businessmen Eduardo Saverin and Amit Bhatia are also reportedly involved in the consortium.

The deal would add to the growing American influence across English football.

Fans remain cautious

Liverpool supporters have not automatically welcomed the proposal.

The club’s previous experience under Tom Hicks and George Gillett still influences the fanbase.

Supporters also want greater clarity over the consortium’s intentions. Questions remain over board representation, control and the long-term purpose of the investment.

For many fans, ownership must involve more than financial ambition. The Bezos proposal could strengthen Liverpool’s commercial position. It could also deliver a huge payday for FSG.

But until the consortium reveals more about its plans, supporters are likely to treat the deal with scepticism.

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