AS Roma has signed an exclusive partnership with Konami Digital Entertainment, the firm behind the football simulation game Pro Evolution Soccer (PES).
As a result of the deal Roma’s team name, crest and official kits will be exclusive to the video game, meaning that PES 2021 will be the only console football game which will feature the Serie A side.
Giorgio Brambilla, Commercial Director at AS Roma commented: “We are delighted to welcome Konami, a world-leading company in the design and development of video games and esports, to our family.
“Thanks to this agreement we will be able to implement the volume of interactive experiences and the involvement of the new innovations of the Giallorossi fans all over the world.
“We are already working hard with the new partner to set the activities for the coming months and to support the launch of PES 2021 with various activations. Within the club, we are sure that Konami will be the perfect strategic partner for the development of the activities that will involve the AS Roma Esports team, which is increasingly aimed at a public who loves football videogames.”
Additionally, AS Roma’s stadium, the Stadio Olimpico, will be exclusive to Konami’s latest football title, set to be released on September 15. Roma will also use the partnership to promote its brand to a global audience. Both entities will collaborate on a number of initiatives, with some projects including future involvement in esports.
Jonas Lygaard, Senior Director Brand & Business Development at Konami Digital Entertainment, added: “We have a long history of championing Italian football through the eFootball PES series and we’re proud and humbled that AS Roma is the latest to join that legacy.
“This year’s PES 2021 will be the only console video game with a truly authentic recreation of the club, but it’s also just the start of what will be a long and fruitful partnership.”
In recent years a number of European clubs have pledged their loyalty to video game brands, with the title gaining exclusive rights to team branding in certain cases. Currently PES’ portfolio includes Barcelona, Arsenal and Juventus, which is known as Piemonte Calcio in FIFA21.
Whereas, FIFA has secured deals with both AC Milan and Inter Milan, Liverpool FC, and PSG among others.
