Spurs vs. INEOS: what happens when a sponsor walks away early

Sponsorship agreements tend to focus on long-term partnerships, so what happens when a sponsor decides to exit early? The INEOS Tottenham sponsorship dispute offers a real-world case study on the risks and realities of early sponsorship withdrawal, and the lessons both sponsors and rights holders can take away.

INEOS signed a five-year deal with Spurs in 2022, naming its Grenadier 4x4 as the club’s official vehicle partner. But in early 2025, the petrochemicals giant, led by Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, sought to end the contract two years ahead of schedule.