Data Driven F1 Facts: The Rise and Fall of Parmalat in Formula 1

[@alexalexan-d6j]

Parmalat never owned Palmeiras. They were just a sponsor and a co-manager of the department of football of the club (the club has many other activities). They left the club by the early 2000s. The club still operates without Parmalat. When they left, they didn't have to sell it because they never owned anything in the club.

[@patrickhenz996]

Thanks for the clarification! Parmalat's involvement with Palmeiras was significant during the 1990s, marked by an eight-year sponsorship deal that began in 1992 and concluded in 2000. This partnership transformed Palmeiras into Brazil's richest football club at that time, allowing them to invest heavily in player acquisitions and infrastructure, which led to numerous successes, including multiple championships and the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 1999. Under this sponsorship, Parmalat not only provided financial support but also sought to influence management decisions within the club. This arrangement allowed Parmalat to have a substantial say in the club's operations, which was somewhat unusual for a sponsor. However, after Parmalat's financial troubles emerged in the early 2000s, their investment in Palmeiras dwindled, ultimately leaving the club in a precarious financial position following the end of their sponsorship.

[@alexalexan-d6j]

@@patrickhenz996 That is correct. They were even relegated to the second division TWICE after Parmalat left. But they eventually fought back to the top without Parmalat and are now one of the most important clubs in South America.

[@phaedrussocrates7636]

Always sounded to me like milk company from Parma 💁 it seemed less surprising to see than Candy being washing machine company

[@patrickhenz996]

Yes, when you come from a country speaking a Latin language, you may get this idea from the word Parmalat. As child, I didn't do this connection. Right, Candy is other topic. 😀

[@jkim6200]

While growing up in the States, I had to listen to the announcer's comentary and later look it up at the library.

[@patrickhenz996]

@@jkim6200 , Yes, this was the way we had to do it in pre-internet times.

[@jkim6200]

@patrickhenz996 I was talking about the 1980s. Hence, do not make it seem like it was a practice exclusive to you.

[@patrickhenz996]

@jkim6200, that's correct-this was how it was during that decade. If I'm not mistaken, German media didn't feature much advertising from Candy or Parmalat. For children, it would have been difficult to understand what Candy was about. Parmalat, on the other hand, might have been recognizable from supermarkets. Additionally, the selection of Formula 1 books in public libraries was quite limited at the time.