Schalke will reportedly close a 100
million euro (US$125 million) sponsorship deal with Russian natural
gas giant OAO Gazprom on Tuesday.
Under the deal _ one of the biggest in Bundesliga history _
Schalke will receive bonuses if it qualifies for the Champions
League, Bild newspaper reported Saturday.
Schalke is already one of Germany's biggest clubs and the deal
would help it become more competitive against its richer league
rival and defending champion Bayern Munich.
Gazprom hopes to gain greater name recognition in the lucrative
German market and exploit European Union legislation allowing
foreign gas companies to sell directly to German consumers.
Schalke reportedly won't yield any control of the club under the
deal and Gazprom won't gain a seat on the board of directors.
Bild said the deal will be announced in Dresden on Tuesday, when
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
meet in the east German city.
Schalke will retain its current sponsor, Victoria Versicherung.
Gazprom, however, will replace the insurance company logo on
players' jerseys, Bild said.
