Guess Mainz aren't the only relegation-threatened side in the Bundesliga who are still managing to pull in sponsors after all.
Schalke, who have won just one game all season and sit bottom of the table with a measly 11 points to their name, look set to be featuring in the 2.Bundesliga next season. It's been nothing short of a nightmare campaign for die Königsblauen, who managed to escape the drop last term, but do not look so lucky this time around.
Already on their fifth manager, Schalke will hope to experience a miracle turnaround once the international break ends this week and the Bundesliga resumes action in a few days. In the meantime, however, they've been given a huge boost as one of their long-term sponsors hasn't given up hope on them just yet, despite their likely drop to the 2.Bundesliga for the 2021/2022 term.
Bundesliga followers are probably familiar with the logo 'Gazprom' on the front of Schalke's kits. Die Königsblauen and the Russian company signed a deal in 2016 that's reportedly worth about $176 million (€150 million) and was set to expire at the end of the 2021/2022 campaign.
There's also a clause in the contract that would allow the Russians to cancel the deal if Schalke were relegated - probably due to how die Königsblauen have been struggling in recent years - but now, Gazprom have decided to take a slight gamble and extend their agreement.
This new deal will see Schalke and Gazprom in partnership until 2025. According to Sky Deutschland, the energy company will pay Schalke about $11.7 million (€10 million) each season if Schalke are relegated to the 2.Bundesliga, but if die Königsblauen manage to return to the upper echelon, Gazprom will increase their sponsorship fee (by an amount that is currently unknown).
It's also important to recognize that Schalke and Gazprom have been partners since 2006. Their first deal, which was also for five years, cost the latter about $146.6 million (€125 million), so it's not really surprising that they've decided to take a punt on the German side and stick with them even if they end up being relegated for a season or two.
