English rugby league club Leeds Rhinos have claimed a first through a kit sponsorship deal with Turkish coach manufacturer Temsa, while auto engineer and vehicle safety system specialist SM UK has also renewed its deal with the Super League team.
The length of the former deal was not disclosed, but it will initially run for the 2019 season and names Temsa as the Rhinos’ Official Transport Partner.
Leeds said the contract is worth almost £250,000 (€284,000/$324,000) and is the first of its kind in Super League.
Temsa is enjoying rapid growth in the UK through an exclusive partnership with Yorkshire-based Arriva Bus and Coach. The Temsa sponsorship will include the first team playing shorts and training kit with further announcements set to be made throughout the season.
Rob Oates, Rhinos commercial director, said: “To have an Official Transport Partner of this stature is not only a first for Leeds Rhinos it is also a first for Super League, and I am delighted that we are continuing to lead the way both on and off the pitch.”
Meanwhile, SM UK has renewed its sponsorship deal with Leeds Rhinos for the 2019 season after five years as a commercial partner of the club.
As an associate partner of the club, Leeds-based SM UK’s logo will appear on the club’s home kit shirt, shorts and socks. The firm is also a sponsor of the Rhinos’ women’s team.
SM UK managing director Steve MacDonald said: “Sponsoring the biggest and most successful club in the Super League, as we have done for five years now, means we are able to advertise the business to a large crowd at every Leeds home game.
“Matches attract crowds of around 16,500 people, and our partnership with Leeds Rhinos has also proved to be an excellent networking opportunity for us, giving us exposure to lots of other businesses that might require our services.
“We’ve had a huge number of enquiries via our sponsorship of the club, and contract wins too.”