Isuzu may drop R10m Kings sponsorship
Negative publicity surrounding embattled franchise could be a factor, insiders say
Isuzu are ready to pull the plug on their reported R10m annual sponsorship deal with the embattled Southern Kings only days after SA Rugby took administrative control of the franchise.
Though Isuzu are tight-lipped over their arrangements with the Guinness PRO14 franchise, insiders said the relationship was over and the motor company is concerned with negative publicity surrounding the franchise.
Several sources said Isuzu had already recalled all their sponsored cars from the Kings and the EP Rugby Union.
The franchise have also updated their social media page with a logo minus the Isuzu emblem.
“Our sponsorship contract with the Kings is confidential,” Isuzu spokesperson Denise van Huysteen said.
“Any discussions relating to the contract will be held directly with the shareholders of the franchise, and we are therefore unable to make any further comments at this stage.”
A highly placed Saru source said: “Isuzu have indicated their intention is to end their relationship with the Kings, but the new board is hoping to engage with them first.”
Rugby insiders said the exit of the Kings’ previous owner, the Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World [GRC], could have influenced any decision Isuzu would make regarding their sponsorship.
SA Rugby were quick to take control of the embattled franchise after the GRC failed to meet contractual commitments. It is said the motor company enjoyed a close relationship with the GRC, but might be reluctant to work with minority shareholders the EPRU.
There has been speculation that the EPRU might be mounting a bid to take control of the Kings.
It is understood the Port Elizabeth-based vehicle maker sent the Kings a letter last week informing them of their intention to pull out of the three-year deal a year early.
It has been reported that the deal is worth R10m annually and has been vital in the sustainability of the franchise.
While the GRC were still involved, sources said Isuzu were happy to be involved for a minimum three years and would stay on longer if matters were to their satisfaction.
Isuzu is apparently citing a clause in the contract in which it insisted on being protected by the franchise from negative publicity.
It is known Isuzu have not been happy with negative exposure surrounding the Kings which goes back to their failed attempt to find a new head coach, which was mired in controversy. More recently salaries were paid late in April after a cash flow crisis, which was solved after the Kings were bailed out by R6m worth of funding from the metro.
The Kings have also fared dismally on the field and won only one of their 13 PRO14 matches before the season was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Concerned SA Rugby bosses have deployed heavyweight rugby administrators Monde Tabata and Jannie Louw to help sort out the crisis facing the beleaguered franchise.
Tabata and Louw were named in a five-person board which was hastily assembled after SA Rugby took administrative control of beleaguered Kings last week.
Mbulelo Gidane (chair of the EPRU finance and human resources) and independent member Gugu Nxiweni are also members of the board.
New Kings chair Andre Rademan has pledged his board will build solid foundations for the franchise.
However, Rademan says he realises the Eastern Cape rugby public is tired of people making promises about what they will and will not do with the Kings.
“We’re not making any promises — because teams aren’t built on promises. Our only pledge is that we’ll ensure solid foundations on which others can build rugby teams.
“The Eastern Cape rugby public is probably tired of hearing people making promises about what they will and will not do with the Southern Kings,” Rademan said.