New Zealand Rugby extends AIG partnership

Insurance firm American International Group (AIG) has extended its high-profile sponsorship agreement with New Zealand Rugby, continuing a partnership that commenced in 2012.

The six-year extension confirms AIG as the governing body’s major global sponsor and official insurance partner and will see with AIG branding remain on the front of the All Blacks national team jersey. 

AIG’s sponsorship will directly cover the All Blacks, the national sevens team, the Maori All Blacks, the Black Ferns women’s team, the Black Ferns sevens team and the New Zealand under-20 teams.

Commenting on the renewal, New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew stated “AIG has been a great supporter of our game since coming on board in 2012 and contributed to outstanding results off the field, helping profile our teams throughout the world and showcasing the story and teams of New Zealand rugby to millions of new fans from Chicago to China and further afield.

“This is a very positive step for rugby in New Zealand and ensures critical funding to run and strengthen rugby in New Zealand from the community game through to the high-performance level.”

AIG President and Chief Executive Peter Hancock added “our sponsorship will continue to serve as a valuable marketing tool and as an inspiration for excellence to AIG people.”

AIG has worked with New Zealand Rugby 's teams in 64 countries around the world and extended rugby's reach to millions in the past four years, staging world-class events in Beijing, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, and Toronto.

Since the partnership got underway in 2012, New Zealand teams have achieved unprecedented success with the All Blacks securing back to back Rugby World Cups, the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens winning the Sevens World Cups; World Championship wins for the New Zealand Under 20; and the Black Ferns Sevens team securing silver in Rio.

Financial details of the deal were not revealed while the 2012 agreement was widely reported as being worth $80 million at the time.

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