New Zealand Rugby is suing sponsor Ineos for an “alleged breach of contract” after the company “abruptly walked away from its lucrative sponsorship” agreement three years early and failed to make its first payment in 2025, according to Liam Napier of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Ineos agreed a six-year sponsorship agreement with NZR in 2022. Its branding is visible on the All Blacks, the Black Ferns and both sevens sides’ jerseys, but with Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe “now wanting out immediately,” that branding will be removed. Ineos is among the three major sponsors alongside Adidas and Altrad. The deal is believed to be worth US$5M (AU$8M) a year to New Zealand Rugby. Napier noted the relationship between NZ Rugby and Ineos became “severely strained eight months ago and has deteriorated since.” One senior All Black previously objected to wearing the Ineos logo on their playing and training kit but that is “not thought to be a major factor in the sponsorship breakdown” (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 2/10).
WHERE YOU AT? Former NZR CEO David Moffett questioned where Silver Lake -- a NZ Rugby equity partner -- has been during the battle with Ineos. Moffett: “They came in and promised a whole lot of things and I don’t know what they’ve actually achieved, and now when the going gets tough, where are they? It would be interesting to know the role that Silver Lake has played in trying to get this resolved” (RNZ, 2/10).
