Irish Rugby Football Union Signs Four-Year, $16.7M Shirt Deal With Vodafone

The Irish Rugby Football Union announced a "new four-year sponsorship deal" worth €15M ($16.7M) with Vodafone Ireland, according to the IRISH TIMES. The deal starts on Wednesday and Joe Schmidt’s side will wear the sponsor "on their shirts for the upcoming tour to South Africa." Vodafone replaces 3 Ireland "as the Irish rugby team’s new sponsor, ending their competitor’s deal four years early" (IRISH TIMES, 5/30). TELECOM PAPER reported Canterbury will produce a new kit "with Vodafone’s logo." Vodafone said that "it will use existing and new technology to create events and make content made specifically for rugby fans." It also "will boost its signals in areas where games are being played on match days" (TELECOM PAPER, 5/31). In London, Philip Connolly wrote the deal will see the communications provider "become the official telecoms partner of the IRFU." The new Ireland jersey was revealed at Aviva stadium on Monday (LONDON TIMES, 5/31).

IRFU & @VodafoneIreland Announce 4 Year Deal #TeamOfUs https://t.co/SjaE9pDUIs pic.twitter.com/L98sfE4E2H

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) May 30, 2016