Vodafone has renewed its naming rights sponsorship deal with New Zealand-based National Rugby League (NRL) outfit the Vodafone Warriors for a further five years.
The new agreement runs until the end of the 2018 season and extends a partnership dating back to 1999 – making it New Zealand’s longest-running sponsorship deal.
The deal covers naming rights to the Warriors’ senior team, the U20s Vodafone Junior Warriors side and the new Vodafone Warriors reserve grade side in the New South Wales Cup.
Vodafone will continue to have its logo emblazoned on the front and back of all Warriors’ playing jerseys.
The financial terms of the agreement were not released. However, a sponsorship of this stature in the NRL is likely to be worth a seven-figure sum annually.
Vodafone New Zealand’s chief executive, Russell Stanners, said: “Every year our partnership with the Vodafone Warriors has become stronger and more enduring.
“The Vodafone Warriors are one of New Zealand’s most loved sports teams, with a cumulative New Zealand broadcast audience of more than 3.3 million people in 2013. We look forward to supporting the Vodafone Warriors over the next five seasons. In 2014, we will be bringing some exciting mobile innovations to help our fans and customers throughout New Zealand better support the team.”
The Warriors, who added England international Sam Tomkins to their books during the off-season, start the 2014 NRL season away to the Parramatta Eels on Sunday 9th March.
