London Wasps Set For Coventry Move
London-based Premiership club Wasps have announced that they will move to the Ricoh Arena in December after acquiring a 50% interest in the Coventry Stadium.
Wasps are set to play their first game at the Ricoh Arena in December 2014, against either Castres or London Irish. The club will continue to play home games at Adams Park in High Wycombe until the move takes place at the end of the year.
Commenting on the move, which has caused uproar amongst fans, Nick Eastwood, Wasps’ chief executive, said: ‘Today’s announcement is a watershed moment in the history of Wasps and the professional game. It will help us realise our ambition to re-establish ourselves as one of the best teams in Europe and will guarantee the long term success of the club.’
‘The revenue from these facilities, combined with Wasps existing revenues, will result in Wasps immediately becoming the highest turnover rugby club in the Aviva Premiership.’
On the same day as the move was announced, Wasps revealed that Land Rover has become the new main club partner of the Premiership Rugby team as part of a multi-year deal. The Coventry-based automotive company will feature on the front of Wasps’ home and away shirts, as well as receiving a number of commercial rights including stadium branding, player appearances and hospitality.
Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: ‘Today’s announcement is not only an important addition to Land Rover’s growing rugby sponsorship portfolio, but represents a significant increase in our investment within the Coventry area. We are proud of our heritage in the region and already support a number of local community projects, so with Wasps confirming its move to the Ricoh Arena, it offered us a fantastic opportunity to further strengthen our community links, engage our thousands of employees and Land Rover owners who are also rugby fans. We are excited by the club’s ambitions for the future on and off the field, and look forward to the start of our partnership.’
