Prem Rugby announces record deal with key partner
Prem Rugby this morning announced a record deal with ball provider Gilbert that took their partnership beyond 30 years.
The agreement, confirmed ahead of this weekend’s opening round of fixtures, is the longest deal agreed between the two organisations. Its value was not disclosed.
Prem Rugby’s Kelly Cooke said that “a partnership of this length is something that both Prem Rugby and Gilbert are immensely proud of”, while the ball-maker’s commercial chief Richard Gray added the deal was “the longest term” ever.
The partnership comes ahead of a season that will get underway with much change. It is the first season following Red Bull’s revolution at Newcastle, with mass change coming after their 2025 takeover.
Elsewhere it will be the first season for Bath with billionaire vacuum tycoon Sir James Dyson as shareholder, and the first for Exeter Chiefs after the owners of Premier League club Bournemouth – Bill Foley’s Black Knight – took control of the Devonshire club.
New Prem Rugby deal
Gilbert continues in a Prem Rugby sponsorship portfolio with the likes of league title sponsor Gallagher and fellow partners Defender, Funding Circle and eToro.
Much of the Prem Rugby off-season has been dominated by Henry Pollock. His agent, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, has demanded the Northampton Saints flanker should be paid £1m per season. It is understood the 21-year-old is set to agree a deal closer to £400,000 per season, in what is still a major uplift from his current £150,000-per-year agreement.
“The length of our partnership is testament to the quality and trust that Gilbert has built for over 200 years – the reason we are the chosen partner of the best competitions, elite unions and grassroots clubs across the globe,” Gray added.
Pollock’s Saints take on Newcastle Red Bulls in the opening fixture of the season while London club Harlequins face Bath Rugby in a second Friday night fixture.