New Zealand Rugby takes Ineos to court over sponsorship deal breach
- New Zealand Rugby has accused Ineos of failing to pay the first instalment of this year's sponsorship fee.
- Ineos decided to withdraw from the contract three years early, leading to legal proceedings by NZR.
- The legal action is aimed at protecting NZR's commercial interests in light of the sponsorship breach.
In February 2025, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) initiated legal action against Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, Ineos, accusing it of breaching a sponsorship agreement worth approximately £22 million. This lawsuit arose after Ineos, which became the All Blacks' official performance partner in 2021, announced its intention to withdraw from the six-year contract three years early. According to NZR, the breach occurred as Ineos failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, which left NZR with no choice but to act legally to safeguard its interests. The sponsorship deal was originally established to cover the years 2022 to 2027, supporting not only the All Blacks but also other national men's and women's rugby teams in New Zealand. Following Ineos's decision to exit the agreement by the beginning of January 2025, NZR expressed disappointment and emphasized the impact of this breach on rugby's commercial landscape. Moreover, NZR plans to remove Ineos branding from team kits, as the absence of this sponsorship is expected to affect various operational aspects of New Zealand Rugby's financial structure and its capacity to support rugby programs. NZR stated that this legal action was necessary to protect its commercial position in the increasingly competitive rugby sponsorship market and to ensure the continuation of financial support for their teams. The global chemicals producer Ineos has yet to make a public comment regarding the ongoing legal matters, but this lawsuit highlights the fragility and complexities surrounding sponsorship agreements in sports.