Diana Blake-Bennett (left), marketing manager of Burger King, hands her company's $2-million sponsorship cheque to Portmore United's manager, Clive Marshall, while the club's general manager, Trevin Nairne, participates, during a press conference at the Braeton branch of Burger King yesterday. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Premier League kingpins Portmore United yesterday bit into a huge chunk - all of $2 million - of sponsorship from fast-food giant Burger King, at the outlet's Braeton branch in Portmore, St Catherine.

The announcement was made by marketing manager of Burger King, Diana Blake-Bennett, at a press conference. The sponsorship doubled what Burger King spent on the 2008 Premier League champions. Portmore will get $1.2 million dollars in cash, while the other $800,000 will be accounted for in Burger King's products.

main sponsors

Mayor of Portmore, Keith Hinds, endorsed the deal and said that residents in Portmore should support Burger King and Locker Room Sports, two of the club's main sponsors.

Last season, Portmore lost the Digicel Premier League title by one goal to Tivoli Gardens, and their under-21 team finished second to Harbour View by two points.

The Portmore United group promised to bring back the cup to Portmore.

Additionally, Blake-Bennett said there would also be "in-store promotions, match tickets and special Portmore United shirts, to drive support for the club".

There will also be special promotions when the league kicks off on Sunday, September 7.

Burger King started with the club's youth programme, sponsoring the under-21 team, but improved the sponsorship to include the senior players.

deal

The Portmore-Burger King deal will also include community projects in Portmore.

Trevin Nairne, general manager of the football club, said the sponsorship was timely, seeing that there was a world recession and the proximity with the start of the league.

Also present at the press conference was Marcia Lawrence, managing director of 'The brand Warriors', the branding agency for Portmore United, and David Shirley, owner of Locker Rooms, the official distributors of Nike in Jamaica, which is also the official brand of Portmore United.