SYDNEY ROOSTERS of the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia have agreed a jersey sponsorship deal with German carmaker Opel.
Opel will brand the lower back space of the Roosters’ shirts, paying around $250,000 per year. Significantly, Opel will also sponsor the upper chest (centre position) of the jerseys, replacing the logo of the club’s kit manufacturer, ISC Sports.
Sydney Roosters become only the fourth team in the NRL to replace the logo of its kit partner – the result of new sponsorship rules as introduced by the league this year.
Frontloaded estimates the new position will see Opel paying the Roosters at least an additional $100,000 annually. The ISC Sports logo will now move to the shoulder panels of the jersey.
Opel’s sponsorship further cements the commercial wellbeing of the Roosters for the 2012 season, with the League's new ruling now allowing them to display five jersey sponsors, as well as a host of other multi-tiered partners.
For Opel, sponsorship of the Roosters is hoped to raise awareness of the brand prior to the launch of four of its car models in Australia this September, with Sydney specifically identified as a key sales market.
By Luke Harman
Follow Luke on Twitter: @lukeharmanSBG