It has been widely reported in various sections of the media today that the Lions are set to announce a 5 YEAR sponsorship deal with Emirates Airlines which would also include naming rights to the iconic Ellis Park Stadium.
The announcement, which will also include details of 2 other sponsorship deals is set to be made by Lions CEO Kevin de Klerk and CEO Rudolph Strauli tomorrow (11 December 2014).
Supersport:
The Golden Lions success in 2014 has finally brought them on a par with their more cash-flush neighbours, as they are set to announce a partnership with global airline icon Emirates and two other sponsors on Thursday.
After spending a year in the Vodacom Super Rugby wilderness, Johan Ackermann’s team has literally fought their way out of a precarious position where the Lions were struggling both in terms of playing personnel and money and now are in a position where they can start competing on an equal footing with other Super Rugby sides.
Lions president Kevin de Klerk and CEO Rudolf Straeuli will announce the deal with Emirates to be the chief sponsor for the next five years in a deal that also includes the naming rights to the iconic Ellis Park stadium.
Emirates’ corporate colours are red and white and thus a perfect fit for the Lions, as they join a massive sponsorship family for the Airline, who also sponsor the ICC Cricket umpires, English premiership club Arsenal, World Rugby’s Referees association and are one of the global sponsors for the Rugby World Cup next year. Emirates are also global Formula one partners and sponsor no less than 15 international golfing tournaments.
The five year sponsorship is a unique one, as the norm is three years for most sponsors, allowing Emirates to invest in the Lions for the long term.
The Lions were without a sponsor for the 2014 Vodacom Super Rugby series but will also announce on Thursday that Chinese mobile phone company Huawei will become a major sponsor of the team as well.
Huawei are well known for their mobile and 3g devices and are one of the fastest growing Chinese companies in the world at the moment.
A third sponsor, who will have a lesser role in the team, will also be announced on Thursday, with speculation that one of the Lions current sponsors in the Currie Cup could extend their role into Super Rugby as well.
The Lions will, however, not be going on a shopping spree after the announcements, as they have already decided rather to use the money within their current squad and make limited acquisitions where necessary.
Under the tutelage of Johan Ackermann the Lions have literally risen from the ashes, and have produced Springboks in Warren Whiteley and Julian Redelinghuys this year and Bok tourists in Jaco Kriel, Ross Cronje and Ruan Dreyer.
The Lions have been quietly snapping up other unions’ discards as well, including Bulls and Springbok Sevens flyer Sampie Mastriet and SA under-20 midfielder Ruhan Janse van Rensburg.
While Emirates will be welcomed aboard, as will Huawei, it will be interesting to see if the sponsors name is simply added to the Ellis Park stadium brand or if the Lions remove the original name completely, as they did a few years ago when it became Coca Cola Park.
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Johan Ackermann
Meanwhile it is also rumoured that Lions Head Coach Johann Ackermann has been approached by a Japanese Club in relation to a high paying coaching position.
While no details are readily available, such rumours would naturally be disturbing to the Lions, who have made huge strides under the guidance of the hitherto little known (in coaching terms) Ackermann.
Whilst it was only ever going to be a matter of time before Ackermann started to get the recognition that goes with success, the Lions will be hoping that the fact that they have a contract with their head coach that runs until October 2016 actually counts for something, and that Ackermann is a man of principle whose word means something.
Japanese Super Rugby franchise looking for a coach already?
Worth the wait for the Lions?
@ Scrumdown:
1 Great news for Lions.Team of no namers
who I admire so much.
Ackers,baby please dont go,
Ackers can go to Japan
We’ll return Ludeke to the Lions 😛
Emirates to sponsor the Lions?
No more Boerewors rolls or beer
The Lions cheerleaders’ outfit would probably look like this
Attachment:
3 @ Victoriabok:
I think we didnt even insist the Bulls buy him out of his contract.
He has been good for PTA. How many SR titles?
You are welcome.
@ Victoriabok:
3.Hell will freeze over and pigs will fly.
Regards Rye @ Victoriabok:Have always preferred my(MY???) women to dress modestly.But/////
Red supposed to be a sexual colour
Regards.Rye.
Scrumdown wrote:
He sat out his contract in the office while Loffie took over coaching at the Lions, no shame at all
The SR titles were won with the team HM built, much like PdV did with Jakes Boks
Since he had to build his own team with player he developed himself he has won diddly squat
Victoriabok wrote:
This might be better
Attachment:
ryecatcher wrote:
No alcohol, no pork, no sex, no fun….
The red is to match the Lions strip
@ Victoriabok:
No alcohol.Feck,No
@ Victoriabok:
8\Bravo Great Shoes
@ Victoriabok:
8 and as an ankle fetishist,what remains to be said.
Regards and good night all.
@ Victoriabok:
4 Halaal boerewors,
As bad as Soya.
Caused enough now.Goodnight
ryecatcher wrote:
Agreed, the costume works too
A bit of peek a boo, lots more to explore…
14 @ Victoriabok:
I did not notice the shoes… hehehe
grootblousmile wrote:
Dirty old man 😈
16 @ Victoriabok:
Hey, dissie EK wat die photie geplaas het nie!!
grootblousmile wrote:
Ja ek weet
Sy lyk soos ‘n Moslem weergawe van die Sharks girls
I see Huawei, the Chinese 3G Giants, are also going to be a Lions sponsor… plus one other Sponsor.
I guess that REDEFINES the Lions, after Redefine Properties pulled out on them…
19 @ grootblousmile:
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Xerox extending their involvement into SR.
Good luck to the Lions, they deserve a break.
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