Japanese automotive manufacturer Nissan has built on its existing deal with the City Football Group entity by entering into a new partnership with Australian A-League club Melbourne City.
The deal, the length of which was not disclosed, names Nissan as the official automotive partner of the club. The partnership also incorporates Melbourne City’s W-League women’s team.
The Football Federation Australia governing body recently changed league regulations to permit A-League teams to sign automotive partners for the 2016-17 season and Melbourne City is the first club to agree such a deal.
Under the agreement, Nissan’s branding will feature on the sleeve of the club's men’s home and away shirts, and on the sleeve of the women’s away jersey. Nissan will receive brand exposure during the club’s home matches, while fan activations will also be organised to promote the partnership.
To mark the start of the new partnership, the No.23 Nissan Nismo Altima Supercar, driven by Michael Caruso, will bear Melbourne City branding at this weekend’s Townsville 400 round of the V8 Supercars Championship.
The partnership builds on Nissan’s association with City Football Group, which operates Melbourne City, English Premier League club Manchester City and North American Major League Soccer franchise New York City, and also holds a stake in Japanese J-League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos. Nissan agreed a five-year deal with CFG in July 2014 to become the group's first global partner.