Rangers Football Club showcased its TeamTalk initiative ahead of the crucial Europa League quarter-final clash against Athletic Club in Bilbao, Spain.
The mental health programme is funded by Rangers’ primary sponsor to bring fans together to promote discussion and physical activity. In particular, TeamTalk aims to break the stigma that prevents men from opening up and sharing problems.
Rangers FC, the 55-time Scottish soccer champions, have had a long-running partnership with the Kindred Group since 2014, but the Swedish-formed betting brand has recently been acquired by France’s FDJ United.
FDJ brands Unibet and 32Red usually adorn the front of Rangers players’ kits, but in European countries where gambling advertising is banned, the betting logos are replaced with TeamTalk branding.
That was the case on Thursday evening in the Basque region of northern Spain as Rangers were defeated 2-0 by Athletic Club, who will now play Manchester United in the semi-final, with the Europa League final to be played at Athletic’s San Mames home stadium.
John Joyce, Rangers Charity Foundation Coach, said, “I would say to any man who is feeling as if they’re on their own: get yourself involved with TeamTalk programme.”
“There is still a stigma attached to men talking about what problems they may have, but we see that lifting when they become involved with the project.”
“It’s a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for men. All while using football and Rangers as a familiar hook.”
💙 Ahead of tonight's @EuropaLeague match, learn more about our Official Front of Shirt Partner @unibet's Team Talk initiative in collaboration with the @RFC_Charity.
➡️ For more information and to register for free, visit: https://t.co/haafThqnGI pic.twitter.com/m4VW6MqxRc
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 17, 2025
A great thing for our community
Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly spoke with fans involved in the project, sharing his perspective on balancing commitments in professional soccer with the realities and feelings that all of us encounter in life.
Alan Slater, a TeamTalk Participant, added, “Every man has one form of problem or another, big or small. If you’re struggling, there’s somebody there for you through TeamTalk. It’s a new friendship group for life and can be a source of exercise too.”
He continued, “People just assume Unibet is another gambling sponsor on a shirt, but they don’t know that Unibet are helping with this programme, which is a great thing for our community.”
Unibet promotes its “zero % mission” on Rangers’ kit, a drive to eradicate revenue generated from harmful gambling. A previous evaluation in 2022 indicated around 3% of revenue was derived from problem gambling.
The TeamTalk initiative is laudable, and it is important for gambling companies involved in sports sponsorship to invest in community initiatives like this, especially when participants are experiencing the benefits.
However, the elephant in the room is that gambling harm can be a driver of mental health problems, and sceptics would argue that the betting firms are in a conflicted position.
Tom Banks, FDJ United Group Head of Corporate Affairs, stated, “Our partnership with Rangers is acknowledged as being one of the longest running and most impactful in British football.”
“We continue to challenge ourselves to provide support not just for the club, but for its local communities as well, which is why the TeamTalk programme has been so effective.”
“Thousands of local men have benefited who otherwise would not have done. We’re proud to, once again, donate the normal front-of-shirt logo space to TeamTalk for a big match and to continue to support the project in the years ahead.”
Image credit: Rangers FC/X
