Olbia Calcio: Sponsor NexumStp Demands €137K & Disputes Club’s Claims

Olbia, Sardinia – A dispute between Olbia Calcio 1905’s new ownership and its former main sponsor, NexumStp, has escalated into a public disagreement over unpaid dues and the circumstances surrounding the sponsorship agreement. The conflict centers around February 9th‘s statement released by Prosoccer srl, the new ownership group, which NexumStp has labeled as “false, unfounded and ethically unacceptable.”

The core of the issue revolves around a reported debt of €137,000 owed to NexumStp. The consultancy firm, a leading Italian company in business, tax, legal, and labor consulting, had been the main sponsor of Olbia Calcio for over a year, providing crucial support during a financially challenging period for the club. NexumStp asserts that it signed an agreement on January 10, 2025, and only terminated it recently due to a lack of response regarding accounting obligations and outstanding arrears.

According to NexumStp, the new management team was fully aware of the existing financial commitments, including the debt to the consultancy firm. The company claims the debt encompasses not only payroll management, as suggested by the club, but also significant “extraordinary consultancy” work. This included a complex reporting activity that secured regional funding for the club, requiring “hundreds of hours of work.” Ordinary management and consultancy services were billed at €2,500 per month.

The dispute took a further turn when NexumStp revealed a formal acknowledgement of the debt from Olbia Calcio’s legal representative on July 25th, 2025. A Pec (Certified Email) communication outlined a commitment to payment “in accordance with their financial resources and in any case no later than the deadline of July 31, 2025.” However, NexumStp states that this payment never materialized.

Despite the lack of payment, NexumStp continued to provide assistance to the club, hoping to avoid further difficulties. This continued until last week, when the consultancy firm was “forced to stop performing” and terminate the contract with legal notice. NexumStp offered to fulfill obligations expiring on February 16th, contingent upon receiving the necessary documentation, which was never provided.

NexumStp also strongly defended Giovanni Degortes, a former president of the supporters’ committee and a member of the consultancy firm, who played a key role in rescuing Olbia Calcio from financial collapse. The company refuted claims that Degortes’ involvement was voluntary, stating that he created a citizen committee that brought “important funds” to the club without receiving any compensation for his efforts. NexumStp has vowed to protect Degortes’ reputation “in the competent judicial offices” and characterized the attack on him as “reckless and unjustifiable.”

The situation highlights the precarious financial footing of many Italian football clubs, particularly those in lower divisions like Serie D, where Olbia Calcio currently competes in Girone G (comprising teams from Sardinia, Lazio, and Campania). Sponsorship deals are often vital for survival, and disputes over payments can quickly destabilize a club.

NexumStp’s sponsorship was announced in August 2025, with the logo appearing on the team’s official jerseys. The partnership was presented as a commitment to supporting projects that enhance the local territory and strengthen the connection between the business world and sports. The debut of the sponsored jerseys was scheduled for August 31st in a Coppa Italia dilettanti match against Pomezia, with the first league game following on September 7th against Albalonga.

The timing of this dispute is particularly sensitive, as the new ownership group attempts to establish itself and navigate the challenges of running a professional football club. The public nature of the disagreement with a key sponsor could damage the club’s reputation and potentially deter future investment. The outcome of this conflict will likely have significant implications for Olbia Calcio’s financial stability and its ability to compete effectively in the Serie D league.

Giovanni Degortes, equity partner of NexumStp, previously stated, “We are very satisfied with this new collaboration which further strengthens the link between our company and the territory. We decided to become the main sponsor of Olbia Calcio because we share the values of commitment, passion and growth with the club. Teamwork is the principle on which the activity of a large and complex reality like NexumStp is based. We find it in sport which is also an important tool for cohesion.” These sentiments now appear to be overshadowed by the current legal and financial dispute.