Hsbc Linked To Lions Sponsorship Deal

HSBC looks set to sign up as the title sponsor of the British and Irish Lions
rugby union team to tour world champions South Africa in 2009.

The bank has been linked with a deal to replace previous sponsor Zurich as
the principal sponsor for the Lions’ South African tour for a rumoured £4m fee.

The Lions’ 2005 tour to New Zealand was the most commercially successful in
history with brands of the likes of adidas, DHL, Guinness, Powerade, and Sure
for Men all aligning themselves with the tour party underneath Zurich.

The HSBC announcement is predicted to be made at the end of the month
although neither the Lions nor the bank would confirm the speculation regarding
the tie-up.

HSBC recently ended its sponsorship of the World Matchplay Golf Championship
early.