Italian Team "Scores"

This is a little off-topic, but I like to keep anything regarding football or funny open to be mentioned on ManUtd Corner.

Back in October I learned of a story about a Serie D (4th division) team signing a sponsorship deal with a brothel based in Innsbruck, Austria. Trentino 1921 have received 10 000 euros (around£7 000) for placing the name of the brothel, Casa Bianca (White house) on their official website, along with a link.

Local officials were angered that the football team had entered in a deal with Casa Bianca. Iva Baresi, a Trento city council member was furious about the deal. She told the local newspaper Trentino, " It's incredible that the (provincial) capital's team would accept a sponsor that would even give the impression that it profited from the sale of a woman's body," she continued by saying, "I believe that my feeling of being offended is the same one felt by the majority of women in Trento. I would hope that the team -- which also receives public funding -- would want to find a remedy for this situation as soon as possible." I must say she makes a valid point, it doesn't really look good for the town's image if their local football team is sponsored by a brothel.

Her conserns have been heard and a compromise has been reached, the logo still remains on the club's list of sponsors, however the link to the Casa Bianca website has been removed. Although it's not a bad marketing move for Casa Bianca, they're out to sell their service to future customers. Now, what kind of people watch football? That's right, mostly guys, and what kind of people visit brothels? Again guys. So sponsoring a football team just across the border is good marketing, Casa Bianca is reaching out to prospective clients well within their market area.

And let's face the truth here, being the chairman of Serie D team isn't that profitable. 10 000 euros is pretty good considering the revenue Trentino 1921 receive from the league and match day profits. There's no TV coverage on Serie D anyway, so where are teams going to find the cash. They need to take what they can get.

Needless to say, I would suspect the team to be enjoying the deal. I mean what's a better a way to celebrate your win than to just go to a brothel and relax. Same applies for losing, it helps ease the wound when you've lost:) It's only a 2h drive to Innsbruck and also it's one hell of a creative source for some cash for Trentino 1921.