Sea Eagles break sponsorship record with CoCo Joy, ZTE deals

Australian NRL rugby league club the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles has agreed new shirt sponsorship deals with food and beverages company CoCo Joy and Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE.

CoCo Joy has been named a major partner of the club and has agreed a three-year deal that will cover the 2016 to 2018 seasons. The company’s branding will now appear on the front of the Sea Eagles’ jerseys, having previously appeared on the sleeve.

ZTE will replace CoCo Joy as the club’s sleeve sponsor. ZTE has also been named the official smartphone of the Sea Eagles. The length of the agreement was not disclosed.

Joe Kelly, the club’s chief executive, said: “Smartphones play an increasingly important role in our daily lives and we are excited to help ZTE build their brand across Australia and ultimately drive ZTE smartphone sales.”

The club has also confirmed that Japanese electronics manufacturer Kyocera has been upgraded from a shorts sponsor to a shirt sponsor for the 2016 NRL season.

The fresh deals make the 2016 Sea Eagles jersey the most lucrative in the club’s history. Team officials are now focused on securing a shorts partner to close out the 2016 players' apparel.