RaboDirect to pull plug on Pro12 sponsorship

Article here: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/rabodirect-to-pull-plug-on-pro12-sponsorship-1.1503563


Its very strange but not really a big deal. RaboDirect's sponsorship was concentrating on the Irish market mainly which doesn't exactly maximise resources. I'm sure with the league being on sky now that means it has a bigger potential audience so a new sponsor should be no problem.

We could take this opportunity to call it the European Championship and have playoffs at the end of the season for the European Cup. Maybe Heineken might sponsor it.

Theres a number of theories floating about. One is Celtic rugby wanted to end it because they've a bigger deal lined up. That would make sense considering the sky deal. Also if there is no HEC then the Pro 12 will take on more significance and be a more attractive competition to sponsor.

As long as another deal is being lined up I don't think it is too big a problem. And anyway, 'Rabbo Direct Pro 12' is a bit of a mouthfull!

When does the deal with the Italians end? i don't want them out mind you.

A new sponsor you say? I'd love for Fairy Liquid to step in. Out with the, "Rabo direct pro 12". In with the 'Fairy League'!

The best player from each game will win the title of "Fairy of the match" award. And no more champagne or little statues instead a bottle of the afore mentioned product will be given to that player.

And the end of season award ceremony will be a great affair as players wait anxiously to discover who's been named the 'best fairy of the year'.

GLove - Edinburgh would win that particular league - Visser or Ford player of the year  

I'm going to write to the UK's foremost human rights and law reform organisations to highlight their obvious sponsorship potential.

I can see it now, writ large on a kind of shield-shaped trophy:

Perhaps Rabodirect don't feel they have had the desired exposure and any renewal of the deal is likely to have a significant increase in price due to it being televised on Sky going forward.

The Pro 12 need to be careful they don't price themselves out the market though as I understand it corporate sponsorship is falling in the current financial climate.

Isn't Rabo Direct a Dutch company anyway? I thought it odd that they would sponsor an event specific to the Celtic countries when they took over. I would agree that it could be anything to do with Sky buying the rights to some P-12 (or whatever we're going to call it!) matches from next season. Be interesting to see who takes over anyway. I wonder if Guinness/Brains or another company based in a Celtic country like that will?

Cari wrote:Isn't Rabo Direct a Dutch company anyway?  I thought it odd that they would sponsor an event specific to the Celtic countries when they took over.  I would agree that it could be anything to do with Sky buying the rights to some P-12 (or whatever we're going to call it!) matches from next season. Be interesting to see who takes over anyway. I wonder if Guinness/Brains or another company based in a Celtic country like that will?

It all depends on their customer base, what does the company actually do?

nathan wrote:

Cari wrote:Isn't Rabo Direct a Dutch company anyway?  I thought it odd that they would sponsor an event specific to the Celtic countries when they took over.  I would agree that it could be anything to do with Sky buying the rights to some P-12 (or whatever we're going to call it!) matches from next season. Be interesting to see who takes over anyway. I wonder if Guinness/Brains or another company based in a Celtic country like that will?

It all depends on their customer base, what does the company actually do?

Rabo Direct is the global part of the Rabobank group which operates in Ireland amongst other countries...I guess that was why they sponsored the P-12 then.

In RaboBank's defence, the very fact that we're still having to ask 'who are they?' (I mean, I know, but I've never actually seen them operating anywhere) shows either: i) how much of a failure their sponsorship has been, or at the very least ii) how unsuited the Celtic League was as a sponsorship opportunity for a Dutch bank with operations in Ireland.

I'd like to see the rights bought by someone with deep pockets and a strong tradition of sports sponsorship - say... a major bank with with three initials... and a dubious history of corporate mergers...

BT would definitely be interested but I can't imagine sky being too happy promoting the 'BT Pro 12'!

BT have plenty of eggs in the AP basket at the minute.

I think RBS will be limited in their corporate sponsorship by the government who still own the majority of shares.

Considering that BT wanted to "buy rugby", but have probably ruined European rugby could maybe use the left overs from the promised £150m for European rugby can be shared equally between Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy through the Celtic league...?

Picard

Go Compare should be the new sponsor. It's based in Wales.

The mascot is Go Compario - Italian Tenor played by a Welshman.

Should suit the league perfectly.