A few weeks ago, there were lots of rumors that Microsoft was trying to bid for the naming rights to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the home of the Real Madrid soccer team. Those reports even claimed that Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was involved in the negotiations. Now the head of Microsoft"s Spainish operations, María Garaña, has denied any such talks have taken place.
Inside Spanish Football, using information from the Spanish news agency EFE, indicated that Microsoft and Real Madrid have had partnerships in the past to help promote the use of technology and education in Spain. However, Garaña told the news agency that partnership will not be extended to a new name for Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
That should please fans of the popular soccer team, who have indicated since these rumors started a few weeks ago they would not be pleased if the organization renamed the stadium. However, Microsoft and Real Madrid will have some sort of cross promotional deal this week that involves the launch of the Xbox One console on Friday in Spain. Details of that promotion have not been revealed.
Microsoft is rumored to be developing a reality sports TV series centering on street soccer for its Xbox One console but the company has yet to reveal any details on those plans.
Source: Inside Spanish Football | Image via uggboy/Wikipedia
