Japanese automotive giant Nissan has agreed a five-year deal to become the first global partner of City Football Group, which operates English Premier League champion Manchester City and holds stakes in teams in the US, Australia and Japan.
Under the terms of the deal, Nissan becomes the official automotive partner of CFG and the official automotive sponsor of Manchester City. Nissan will enjoy a strong brand presence at City’s Etihad Stadium, complemented by fan engagement opportunities targeting the club’s supporters around the world. This will sit alongside rights packages in the territories of each of CFG's network of football clubs.
Today’s agreement comes after CFG expanded its global footprint in May by agreeing a deal to acquire a minority stake in Japanese J-League club Yokohama F. Marinos from Nissan, becoming the first significant foreign investor in a J-League outfit.
Along with Manchester City and the Marinos, the CFG global network also consists of an 80-per-cent stake in Australian A-League club Melbourne City and co-ownership of Major League Soccer expansion franchise New York City Football Club.
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and chief executive, said: “This innovative partnership enhances Nissan's investment in the game of soccer which is a key platform to further strengthen our brand globally. Additionally, the value in kind deal will see Nissan introduce the world's best-selling electric vehicle to the world's fastest growing football team, an example of how the collaboration will pair innovation with innovation to bring the excitement of Nissan and soccer to customers around the world.”