Cologne seek boost from Schumacher
COLOGNE, Germany -- Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has been linked with a sponsorship deal at the German second division football club Cologne, the local Express daily has reported.
"It would be an honor for us to win a man like Michael Schumacher," Cologne president Wolfgang Overath was quoted as saying.
Ferrari star Schumacher was born and raised near Cologne, in Kerpen.
He has always been a fan of the city's top football team and a club member since 2002.
Express said that Schumacher and Cologne almost reached a sponsorship agreement last year before another company came up with a more lucrative offer.
Schumacher is said to earn $35 million per year at Ferrari and rakes in more money from other sponsorship contracts and his merchandising.
"It is up to Michael Schumacher to reach a decision," said Overath.
Winning Schumacher as a partner is one part of Cologne's strategy to generate income and return to the Bundesliga on a permanent basis after several up-and-down seasons.
In addition, a deal with the F1 star would considerably improve Cologne's image in Germany and abroad.
