In the 2023-2024 season, many media units received official dispatches asking for the correct team name - including sponsor and team name. No one blames them, because that is their right to invest in the team. But many people just smile sadly.
Laughing because it was as if they were afraid that no one would know that this unit cooperates with the club so they had to clearly state it. Sad because the cooperation seems not to focus on the most important issue - team development, but whether the sponsor's name appears or not. But, remember, when the fans are more familiar with the old name of the club but still know who they cooperate with, it would be better for the sponsoring unit not to issue a document "claiming benefits" which might be appreciated.
Then, just a short time later, the team sent an official document requesting to return to its old name from the 2024-2025 season. Of course, we'll have to wait and see when another document appears asking for a name change.
Vietnamese football used to have legendary names, whether local or industry teams. It becomes a brand to remember and admire. But when the sponsor's name is next to it, there is always a feeling of "something or other" about the story of "preferring the form rather than getting to the essence of football".
The cooperation between the sponsor and the team is usually not too long - because a more lucrative offer may appear in the future, so changing the team name is almost taboo. It can be seen in international football and it keeps the clubs their brand. It can be fun to say that the number of name changes of clubs in the V.League is as many as the entire football world combined.
In cooperation, the sponsor's name may appear in the stadium name, or in some location, while the team name is almost immutable. But unfortunately, in Vietnam, how many teams own their own soccer fields!?
