Ineos: New Zealand Rugby takes legal action after sponsor pull-out
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said it has initiated a legal lawsuit against INEOS for alleged breach of contract, claiming the BP has left three years ahead of schedule from its sponsorship agreement.
In 2021, Manchester United co-owner Ineos, hosted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, agreed to become NZR’s performance partner from 2022-27.
The deal includes Ineos brand behind the competition shorts and training jerseys for national teams, including three-time World Cup champion The All Blacks and six-time women’s world champion The Black Ferns.
Ineos “failed to pay the first part of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to withdraw from our six-year agreement,” NZR said in a statement Tuesday.
It added: “Learning about Ineos’ decision to walk away three years ahead of schedule, we took action to protect the interests of New Zealand rugby and the wider game.
“We have no choice but to initiate legal action to protect our business position.
“NZR is actively seeking new business opportunities and global interest in black and other black teams.”
The BBC Sport has contacted Ineos for comment.
Last month, Ineos A way to separate He has supported the U.S. Cup sailing team with four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie since 2018.
Ineos said in a statement that it could be “find” with Ainslie after the match held in Barcelona last year, which New Zealand won.
Ineos plans to compete in the next US Cup under the name of Britannia.
Ainslie’s team said in response they were “shocked” by Ineos’ plans for the future of the US Cup and that the decision “had a significant legal and practical barrier to them.”
The company has a large sports portfolio, including the Swiss football team Lausanne-Stere Arena and French team Nice. It is also a co-owner of the F1 team Mercedes and runs the Ineos ballistic cycling team.
In 2021, the director of Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos Sports, praised the partnership with NZR.
“The integration of the Ineos brand of this iconic kit symbolizes our partnership to share best practices and collaborate on performance innovation,” he said.
“I look forward to integrating New Zealand rugby players and teams into Ineos to support their ambitious performance goals and to apply the knowledge and expertise found in all our teams.”
