Kieran Maguire questions major Chelsea deal as Premier League ban looms
It is 'disappointing' that Chelsea could partner with Stake despite the Premier League's imminent ban on gambling sponsorship.
That is the opinion of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Chelsea's new front-of-shirt sponsorship.
Football Insider reported earlier this month (16 June) that Chelsea are in advanced talks with Stake over a £40million per season front-of-shirt sponsorship.
The Blues are on the brink of matching the £40million value of their previous deal with Three despite failing to qualify for European football in 2023/24.
However, any deal between Chelsea and Stake would have to be short-term due to the Premier League's ban on gambling sponsorship from the end of 2025/26 onwards.
Maguire described Stake as 'grubby' company and insisted it doesn't reflect well on Chelsea to strike such a deal.
"There’s gambling, and then there's gambling, and Stake are a pretty grubby organisation," Maguire told Football Insider's Sean Fisher.
"They're not just a gambling organisation, they're a crypto casino.
"So it's taking one form of gambling, which is Cryptocurrency and multiplying it by another, which is casino gambling.
"They do seem to have been quite successful and I think they've paired with celebrities and some high-profile individuals.
"So if they're going to get into bed with Chelsea, you can understand the benefits there.
"I don't think it reflects particularly well on Chelsea, but under Todd Boehly they seem to be going down the route of - if it's not illegal, we'll do it.
"It is disappointing, I’ll be honest.
"The sleeve sponsor deal with WhaleFin didn't prove to be as anticipated in terms of the length of the deal, even though it was again very lucrative.
"Ultimately, it's legal, but a bit tawdry."