League defends Stobart tie-up
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Rugby Football League is adamant that it will be better off in the long haul, despite selling the naming rights to Super League for nothing in cash up front. The RFL has done a three-year deal with the Stobart Group, the logistics and transport company famed for its red and green-liveried Eddie Stobart trucks.
More than a hundred of their trailers will carry Super League imagery, some specific to each of the 14 clubs, some generic.
"In terms of the exposure it will bring the game, it was too good a deal to turn down," said the RFL's chief executive, Nigel Wood, who estimated the value of the advertising over three years at £2.5m.
Not all clubs agreed with him. At a Super League meeting last week, five clubs voted for a deal with Betfair which would have brought them £750,000 a year up front, compared with about £1m each year they received under Engage Mutual Assurance's seven-year sponsorship.
"The majority view was that the game would be better off with this partnership with Stobarts," Wood said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments