All Blacks Confirm Blockbuster Sponsorship Deal
New York-based insurer, AIG, will join adidas on one of the most recognizable jerseys in sports. The New Zealand Rugby Union today confirmed a groundbreaking new deal with global insurance company American International Group (AIG) signing on to back the national game from the community level to the All Blacks. As part of the 5 and a half year deal, the All Blacks will carry AIG's logo on the front of their jerseys and back of their shorts
"This is a great day for New Zealand rugby," said NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew. "This is an exciting new partnership that will further secure the future of rugby at all levels in this country and pave the way for our game to reach new fans around the world."
Under the sponsorship arrangement, AIG will be the Major Global Sponsor of the New Zealand Rugby Union and Official Insurance Partner of the All Blacks. The company will directly sponsor the All Blacks, the All Blacks Sevens, the Maori All Blacks, the New Zealand Black Ferns, the New Zealand Women's Sevens and New Zealand Under 20 teams.
"New Zealand rugby was already benefitting from the most valuable sponsorship in the rugby world through its partnership with adidas," Tew commented. "To the best of our knowledge, the partnership with AIG is the second most valuable rugby sponsorship."
"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," AIG President and CEO Bob Benmosche said.
The U.S. government once owned more than 50 percent of the insurance giant, which had to be rescued in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Today, the Treasury owns roughly 16 percent of the company's stock.
The All Blacks have won 75 percent of all rugby matches they have played since their first match in 1903 and were named the International Rugby Board (IRB) Team of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and a record fifth time in 2011.
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