Hot Topic
EARNINGS
By a margin of nearly two-to-one, NBR ONLINE subscribers do not think the All Blacks' new sponsorship is too intrusive.
Controversial insurance giant American International Group (AIG) will sponsor the All Blacks until at least early 2018, in a deal which includes having its logo across the front of the black jersey.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew says the sponsorship is the second most valuable rugby sponsorship deal after Adidas.
The union has been looking at ways to capitalise on the global appeal of the All Blacks brand as it seeks to breakeven this year.
Under the new arrangement, AIG will also sponsor the Maori All Blacks, the Black Ferns, the women's sevens team and the Under-20 teams.
Mr Tew says AIG's support is vital to the NZRU's financial security.
It posted an operating loss of $3.1 million in the 2011 calendar year, smaller than the $3.6 million loss budgeted for and in line with the $3 million loss in 2010.
When unrealised exchange rate gains of $13.4 million are included, the NZRU's operating loss turned to a net profit of $9.6 million.
"We have new and ambitious goals, including winning gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 with men's and women's sevens, so it's vital we have sponsors like AIG and adidas backing us over the long term," Mr Tew says.
AIG's president and ceo Bob Benmosche says the sponsorship deal is a good move for his company.
"Rugby is popular around the globe and growing rapidly in the United States, and the top rugby nations align with regions where AIG is strongly represented and is targeting growth."
As part of the deal, AIG's logo will be added to the front of the All Blacks jersey, to be debuted when they play Australia in Brisbane on October 20.
This is the first time the All Blacks jersey will don a logo across its front.
"This is not a decision we have taken lightly," Mr Tew says.
NBR staff
Mon, 29 Oct 2012
Mon, 29 Oct 2012
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Is the All Blacks' AIG logo too intrusive? – NBR subscribers' verdict
24969