New Zealand Super Rugby franchise Crusaders have agreed a team naming rights deal with banking group BNZ.
In what is a New Zealand Super Rugby first, the Crusaders will be referred to as the ‘BNZ Crusaders’ from 2016 onwards. Terms of the deal are yet to be announced, with both sides merely disclosing the figures involved are “significant”.
Currently, BNZ is the Crusaders’ principal partner, as part of a New Zealand Rugby Union managed relationship across all five New Zealand Super Rugby teams.
The new sponsorship deal allows BNZ to secure naming rights of the Crusaders from 2016 onwards while also retaining all of the rights BNZ currently enjoys, such as having its brand on the front of the Crusaders jersey.
BNZ chief executive Andrew Thorburn said: “Sponsoring the Crusaders is one way we can continue to show our support for the city, the region and the rebuild (following the 2011 earthquake). The Crusaders are an integral part of the fabric of the Canterbury community and this partnership further cements our commitment to supporting the future of rugby and of Christchurch.”