The Associated Press and Press Association today announced a worldwide photo distribution agreement with Chelsea Football Club (CFC).
The Associated Press, a leading global news agency, and the UK’s national news agency Press Association (PA) will ensure global distribution of the club’s photography via their unparalleled distribution networks.
Under the terms of agreement, AP will have exclusive rights to licence CFC-produced and owned imagery for global distribution. PA will have the same rights for UK distribution. Photography will include live action shots as well as images from the training ground and behind the scenes at the club.
Emma Wilkinson, Chelsea Football Club’s head of Communications and Community Affairs, said: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to be working alongside two of the frontrunners of the sport photography business. We are delighted to be able to share our images with a wider audience than ever before thanks to this new joint partnership with PA and AP, who are the obvious choices due to their superb quality and extensive networks in the UK and around the world."
Fernando Ferre, vice president of AP Images, the AP’s commercial photo unit, said: “AP is delighted to be working with the Champions League and FA Cup winners – Chelsea Football Club. The club is synonymous with the highest caliber of football and this partnership will contribute to the continued growth of its brand around the world. Exclusive rights to worldwide distribution of Chelsea FC’s images will provide customers with access to an even broader range of AP’s award-winning sports photography.”
Martin Stephens, PA Images managing director of photos, said: “We are excited to be working with Chelsea Football Club and look forward to bringing to the UK market exclusive and exciting images which will complement our own extensive sports photography service with an archive dating back to before the formation of the club.”
James Claydon, AP director of International Business Development, said: “AP is dedicated to assisting our clients not only in imagery distribution into traditional and new media outlets but also in brand development and recognition on a global basis. And we look forward to the opportunity to working with such a high-profile organisation as Chelsea Football Club.”
This July Chelsea FC is touring the U.S., with matches in Seattle, New York, Philadelphia and Miami.
AP Images has a network of world-class media partners in news, sport and entertainment. They include the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of professional football in the United States. AP is committed to growing its partners’ sports business by entering into key partnerships and developing the commercial marketplace.