German soccer team scores sponsorship with 'eco-friendly' brothel

Fans of SV Sandhausen can expect a little more "excitement" during home games after the 2.Bundesliga club announced a sponsorship deal with a local brothel.

I know what you're thinking. That's a cheeky way to pique fans' interest.

The club of U.S. international striker Andrew Wooten is now proud partners with Heidelberg's Bienenstock Eros Center ("Beehive" in English), which markets itself as the first "eco-friendly" bordello in the world. Indeed, Bienenstock operates out of a city-owned, energy-efficient building.

Call it the greenest house in the red-light district, if you will.

"They are a very serious partner," Sandhausen general manager Jurgen Machmeier confirmed to Bild. "Alcohol and cigarettes are regularly being promoted, too, after all."

The partnership allows the brothel to place ads on Sandhausen's advertising boards at the Hartwaldstadion as well as in matchday programs. Nudity will not be permitted in any of the promotions, however.

With Sandhausen mired in a recent slump, perhaps this will give the team some added motivation. After all, playing "horny" has seemed to work out pretty well for Louis van Gaal's Manchester United. (The Red Devils have won three in a row since *that* press conference).