The Polish Football Association (PZPN) has announced the extension of historic sponsor STS to 2030. The operator, which has been sponsoring the Polish national team since 2014, however, will also be taking on the status of strategic sponsor, gaining a new set of privileges.
The new title allows the operator to use player images for marketing material and put up additional branding in stadiums. According to a statement from Cezary Kulesza, President of the Polish Football Association: "STS has been a patron of Polish sport for many years. They support many Polish clubs, being hugely involved in their development.
“For over a decade, it has also been a trusted partner of the Polish National Team, as well as the title sponsor of the STS Polish Cup and the STS Polish Super Cup.
“This time, our cooperation enters an even higher level – STS becomes the Strategic Sponsor of the Polish National Team. We are very happy about this, and we hope the next years will be full of successes for the national team."
The decision, though, comes as the company is being openly investigated by the Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) for possible practices that could encourage compulsive gambling.
STS, along with Fortuna, Superbet, E-Toto, LV Bet and Total Bet, are among the operators whose websites and apps have been flagged for 'dark patterns.'
In August, PZPN parted with high-profile sponsor InPost after a four-year partnership, as well as Staropolanka, the team's official water sponsor, and TCL, the electronics manufacturer.
STS has sponsored the men's, women's, under-21 and under-20 teams since 2014, along with being the main sponsor of the STS Polish Cup and STS Polish Super Cup.
