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Istanbul club Fenerbahce revealed that Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya provided direct financial support beyond the current €120 million ($142.81 million) sponsorship deal during the winter transfer season, and expressed appreciation for his support.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the club said the funding was structured around needs that emerged during the mid-season transfer period and aligned with squad planning and the sporting calendar during the transfer window.
"The bond between Chobani and Fenerbahce is not just a sponsorship relationship, and the constructive, club-first approach of Chobani and its founder Hamdi Ulukaya once again shows strong confidence in the club’s future, which is highly valued by the Fenerbahce community," the club said.
During the 2026 winter transfer window, Fenerbahce strengthened its squad for Turkish Super Lig competition by signing both experienced and new players, recording the highest spending among Turkish clubs at €37 million ($44 billion).
The club also recorded its highest-ever single transfer spending with the signing of French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, 26, for a €28 million fee from Italian club Lazio, and added 19-year-old French striker Sidiki Cherif on loan for €4 million with a purchase option of €18 million.
The Yellow Canaries also strengthened their attacking options by signing 25-year-old Dutch winger Anthony Musaba from Black Sea club Samsunspor after triggering his €6 million release clause.
In July 2025, Fenerbahce and U.S.-based strained yogurt brand Chobani signed a multi-part sponsorship agreement that gave the company stadium naming rights for an initial five years with a five-year extension option and front-of-shirt branding in European competitions for two years with a three-year extension option.
The stadium component, effective from the 2025–26 season, was valued at €10 million per year, while the European jersey sponsorship provided at least €4 million per season, with additional upside tied to UEFA participation. The total value of the agreement was projected to reach at least €120 million over its full term.
The deal drew attention because Chobani does not currently operate in Türkiye or the European market, prompting debate about its commercial rationale. Ulukaya, a long-time Fenerbahce supporter, said his personal connection to the club was a key factor behind the partnership and also pointed to possible expansion into the European or Turkish market following the sponsorship.
Hamdi Ulukaya, who also leads the U.S.–Türkiye Business Council, ranks as the richest person on Forbes’ billionaire list for Türkiye with a net worth of $15.7 billion, after his company reached a $20 billion valuation.
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