Scotland celebrate "multi-million pound" sponsorship deal

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments20

Al Kellock at Murrayfield

Scottish Rugby has secured the biggest sponsorship deal in its history.

The four-year agreement with Italian company Macron, will come into force in July, with supporters asked to help design the new Scotland kit.

"This is a multi-million pound deal - the largest in the SRU's history - over four years, so we are delighted," said SRU chief executive Mark Dodson.

"We plan to invest in grassroots, invest in the pro teams where we can and reduce our debt."

The deal will see the Bologna-based firm supply the famous dark blue kit as well as the strips worn by both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.

However, the deal does not come into force until Scotland host their autumn internationals later this year.

Macron also have sponsorship deals with English Premier League clubs Aston Villa and West Ham.

"The money that comes into the SRU from this deal, we will spend it across the piece where we can," Dodson added.

"Right now, the SRU is in good health. We have shown a surplus each year that I've been here and we are reducing debt going forward.

"We are making cost reductions where sensible and now we are driving income."

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  • Good news and not concerned about the lesser known supplier if it means more cash. Just one thing - top should be navy blue allover except for white collar. White shorts, navy socks. Forget trying a thousand variations of piping vs grip areas vs daft flag motif to justify a change every season. Get it right once and watch it sell out.

  • Well the english are now with Canterbury so I guess they had to ditch us to help pay for their contract. Would have liked to try and see if Pringle could not have done something still have a Pringle Scotland shirt at least it would keep the money in the country.

  • @18 heh heh - fair comment - there is hardly a light shining on Wales either. I wouldn't trust my Welsh bretheren to come up with kit designs though!!!

  • @17 As I try to come to terms with Scotland's failure against Tonga, I hear that song 19, NNnnnnnnn 19 and I can't remember why.

    Oh yes 19 - 26!

  • The way Scotland are playing at the moment they would be better off wearing pringle golfing sweaters...they couldn't be any easier to catch...

  • Scotland have only recently brought out a second kit that will only be used for one more match (Italy home) and cost £55. Of course it isn't compulsory to buy the shirt but nevertheless it seems a poor investment for the 'on-trend fashion conscious' and for the frustrated parents who purchase shirts for their siblings.

  • Blah blah blah.. new kit- how about focusing on winning some matches. I don't care if we wear pink lets start winning please..

  • Have to admit I'm not too bothered who makes the kit, but can I put in a request? I don't mind the 'spray on' kit for the players, but for those of us with a more 'lived in' body, can we have a replica shirt built for comfort?!! I don't look good in skin tight.

  • Canterbury would still have put an offer in but most likely it would have been a lower amount. The SRU will always take the higher amount as they're desperate to get as much investment as possible. Lets just hope the sponsors don't go bust during the deal like some others have done!

  • wait a minute - nitemair @ 10 (a decade of Scottish rugby summed up in a oner) - are you really suggesting Scotland have been so poor that a supplier will forego their profit (after they've paid us remember) because Scottish Rugby has been so poor as to negatively impact their wider brand image and sales? Sheesh, we're even worse than I thought.

  • Apologies, nitemair, I was just being a bit fastidious...bored at work. I agree that Canterbury probably don't want to be associated with Scottish rugby anymore. It is a shame, much like Glasgow not having a shirt sponsor for this season. I hate to admit it, but Scottish rugby is not what it used to be.

  • Obsen, Pringle was a global name, but you couldn't buy the product in the States etc easily at all. It was all made in Scotland, and tended to be limited in where you could buy it to these shores- limiting income. The point I was making on who sponsors Scotland is big name brands like to be associated with winners- if you are dragging down a brand they will cut you loose. Maybe happened here?

  • @7 Pringle not a global brand? Tell that to Nick Faldo. It didn't do him any harm. I have to say I like the quality of Canterbury, but not really bothered, as long as the new strip is well designed. As for kit supplier reflecting Scotland's placement in world rugby, can't quite see the logic there. We can't win games, that is why we are 12th.

  • Well the money will come in handy but have to hope they produce a half decent product. After all if its a bad one and no one buys it it'll mean less money overall. With Canterbury you knew the quality was good.
    The home strip won't be a million miles off what it is now but please avoid any fanciful ideas on the away kit some of them have been horrendous over the years!

  • I remember when Scotland had Pringle and Cotton Oxford kits you couldn't buy the top anywhere but Scotland because they were not global brands. I feel Macron are the same. The leading nations are kitted by Nike, Adidas or Canterbury and helps shift kit as it's a brand you know- even for neutrals. A small, relatively unknown kit supplier maybe indicates our place in rugby at the moment- a shame

  • Lets hope it will be priced more reasonably than the exorbitant kit at present.

    It's not rocket science, Navy Blue Top with traditional white collar, White Shorts and Navy Blue Socks, priced that allows the masses both rugby fan and not to get to wear it with pride.

  • I agree with Aiden (4).

    Lets get back to a basic strip with no frills.

  • Into the 3rd tier of world rugby and the bottom tier of kit suppliers.......onward and downward Scotland. I suppose the money will come in hand to pay some big overseas names to bolster the two pro clubs though.

  • Good news. No buts about it.

  • Good news, but do we need another change in strip?

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