FRU signs $40M sponsorship deal with a consortium led by Vodafone

The biggest ever rugby sponsorship for Fiji rugby has been announced today after the Fiji Rugby Union confirmed that it has signed a 5 year deal with a consortium led by Vodafone Fiji Limited.

Fiji Rugby Union Chairman Filimoni Waqabaca said the total value of the historic 5 year contract is $40 million.

Waqabaca said it is an $8 million a year deal.

When questioned by Fijivillage, Waqabaca confirmed that the cash and kind sponsorship components are still being negotiated.

However, he confirmed that the cash component for a year currently stands at $3.6 million.

The cash component includes bonuses for players and cash for player contracts.

The consortium led by Vodafone includes Fiji Airways, CJ Patel Company Limited, Home Finance Company Limited and Fijian Holdings Limited.

Waqabaca said all the naming rights for the different brands will be revealed later.

However, it has been confirmed that the naming rights for the National 7s team will be Vodafone.

Waqabaca said the Fiji 7s team will be known as the Vodafone Fiji 7s team on the IRB 7s circuit.

This means the National 7s side will run out with the new look jerseys which features the Vodafone logo.
 
The National 15s side will be known as the Vodafone Flying Fijians.

Home Finance Company will sponsor the National Provincial Championships while the other sponsors for the brands will be revealed within the next few hours.

This will be from the Kaji rugby to the Flying Fijians and all local rugby tournaments run by the FRU.

An important clause has been included in the new rugby sponsorship contract where the value of the sponsorship will be reviewed after three years.

Waqabaca said this is based on the fact that the value of Fiji rugby will grow after the 15s Rugby World Cup and the Rio Olympics.