The great sport sponsorship debate that seems to have played itself out in the United States has snuck across the pond. The Royal Bank of Scotland is set to spend roughly $500,000 on corporate hospitality at Wimbledon this year, according to British media reports. RBS, of course, has accepted $33 billion from the British Government last year and is now 70 percent-government owned. Reports are circulating that the costs to entertain more than 40 RBS senior executives and customers "would include $165 for each Centre Court seat, $125 per head for lunch, and a one-off fee for flowers of about $245, according to Business Week.

The bank says it's hands are tied. A spokesman told the Guardian: "In an ideal world where we had a choice I'm sure we would have reviewed that decision but we have a contracted obligation and we would have to pay 95 percent of the cost to Wimbledon [if they did not go]." Top executives would be wise not to attend; someone just might throw strawberries at them. Recall that Citi donated some tickets to charities in the wake of its Mets deal mini-scandal. 

For more:
- here's the article

Related Articles:
Spotlight: RBS CEO
European banks bent on more capital
RBS sweetens bid for ABN Amro