New Zealand Rugby are suing Ineos over an alleged breach of a sponsorship agreement.
Legal action has been taken against Ineos, who co-own Manchester United, after being accused of refusing to pay an instalment on a six-year deal.
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The British petrochemicals giant agreed to become the performance partner of New Zealand Rugby in 2021, with the deal running from 2022-2027.
Believed to be worth around £3.5million per year, the deal included Ineos branding on the back of playing shorts and on the front of training jerseys for both the men’s and women’s national sides.
The New Zealand Maori team and New Zealand sevens teams were also included in the deal.
But in a bombshell statement announced on Tuesday, NZR declared they were suing Ineos for ending their six-year partnership three years early.
It read: “New Zealand Rugby is disappointed that Ineos has breached its sponsorship agreement.
“Most recently, it failed to pay the first instalment 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.
“NZR is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All Blacks and other Teams in Black remains high.
“We are committed to being world-class on and off the field and deliver unique value to sponsors through our iconic brands.”
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It has been claimed that the All Blacks will now drop the Ineos logo from their jerseys in their quest to find a new partner.
Ineos, whose stable includes Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport, French outfit Nice, F1 team Mercedes and the Grenadiers cycling team, have removed the ‘rugby’ section from their website.
It was only last month that they confirmed they had parted ways with British Olympic hero Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team.
In response, the four-time Olympic gold medallist’s team, who had been backed by Ineos since 2018, declared they had been ‘astounded’ by the news.
They also stated: “This plan raises significant legal and practical obstacles for them that will play out in the coming days and weeks.
“Furthermore, Sir Ben Ainslie’s British America’s Cup team will be known as Athena Racing going forwards, aligning with the British Women’s and Youth America’s Cup team, the Athena Pathway.”
