Ireland Close In On Record Vodafone Deal
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is on the verge of agreeing a ten-year deal with Vodafone to become the new main sponsor of the Irish rugby team, according to media reports.
The Herald claims that the IRFU will sign a record ten year partnership worth €50m, which would see the Vodafone logo replace current sponsor, Three, on the front of the Irish rugby union teams jerseys following the 2016 Six Nations competition.
Three has been the IRFU’s main sponsor since the company acquired O2 in 2013, who had been its official mobile telecommunications partner since 2002.
The Herald reports that the deal with O2 was originally worth €2.5m per year, before rising to €2.65m when it was renewed from 2011 until 2016.
This new deal would see Vodafone paying the IRFU almost double that over the ten years.
In 2014 Ireland signed a €20m deal with kit manufacturer Canterbury after ending their record deal with Puma early. The new Rugby World Cup jersey will also be unveiled later today.
