Loss of sponsors will leave £3m hole in finances
Yorkshire are facing a £3million hole in their finances as sponsors continue to cut ties to the county in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq affair.
Nike became the latest major firm to sever its relationship with Yorkshire, after having signed a fouryear deal, worth a reported six-figure sum, this year to become the club’s official kit supplier.
“Nike will no longer be the kit supplier for Yorkshire CCC. We stand firmly against racism and discrimination of any kind,” the US sportswear giant said in a statement.
Harrogate Spring Water and Bagnalls, a painting and decorating contractor, also terminated commercial partnerships yesterday as the backlash intensified over the scandal.
Yorkshire has lost its commercial partnership with Emerald Publishing Group, the club’s main sponsor, who acquired naming rights of Headingley Stadium. As of last night, nine sponsors had cut ties with Yorkshire, either by terminating their contracts or confirming they would not renew them.
The list includes Yorkshire Tea, Tetley’s, David Lloyd Group, Age Partnership, Anchor Butter, while JT Ellis, another partner, announced it was suspending its sponsorship. Other firms are said to be reviewing their position.
In the club’s accounts for 2019-20 – the last before the Covid-19 pandemic – figures showed £3million in commercial deals.
Nigel Currie, a sports marketing consultant, said: “Most sponsors will have clauses in their contracts – embarrassment clauses – which will enable them to end a contract if the rights holder does anything which could be seen to reflect badly on them. This is a classic example. The financial impact will be severe, both in the short and long term.”