New Zealand Rugby taking legal action against Ineos over sponsorship walkout
Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, centre right, waits for the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Southampton at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Rugby has launched legal action against the Ineos corporation of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe after the global chemical giant dropped a sponsorship agreement with three years remaining.
Ineos branding appears on jerseys and other clothing worn by the All Blacks, the New Zealand women’s team, the New Zealand Maori team and New Zealand sevens teams after a deal signed in 2022, which was due to continue until 2028.
New Zealand Rugby on Tuesday said the first installment of the 2025 sponsorship had not been paid and it had no choice but to proceed with legal action.
Chief communications officer Paul Stevens said New Zealand Rugby “is disappointed that Ineos has breached its sponsorship agreement. Most recently, it failed to pay the first installment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit our six-year agreement.”
“Having learned of Ineos’ decision to walk away three years early, we have moved to protect the interests of New Zealand Rugby and the wider game. We have been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect our commercial position.”
The sponsorship deal is believed to be worth around $4.5 million per year.
Stevens said New Zealand Rugby was pursuing new commercial opportunities, “and global interest in the All Blacks and other teams in black remains high.”
Ratcliffe is a minority shareholder in the Manchester United soccer club, sponsors the British America’s Cup sailing syndicate and the Team Ineos professional cycling team.
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