NIB Sponsorhip Deal

[Beaussie]

For those of us in NSW used to Paul Harragon from the Newcastle Knighs on our tv screens - I wonder if this new deal for the Cats means we'll be seeing Geelong players on NIB ads.

Cats nab NIB deal
12:35:33 PM Wed 14 February, 2007
Paul Gough
Sportal for AFL.com.au
http://AFL.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&s ... eid=314937

For the first time in their long history Geelong will have a sponsor other than Ford appearing on their playing strip this season after the Cats' announced a three year deal with New South Wales health company NIB on Wednesday.

NIB will be the Cats' new shorts and ball sponsor in a deal which is second only to Ford's record 80 year major sponsorship of the Cats in terms of revenue for the club.

Cats CEO Brian Cook said it was a tribute to the way the Cats have built their profile around Australia in recent years that the club was able to attract such a significant sponsor from outside their own state.

Cook thanked Ford for allowing the Cats to gain extra revenue by selling their shorts sponsorship elsewhere, although the car giant remains the club's major sponsor.

"This is the first time in our 149 year history and Ford has been with us for 80 years that we have actually got an organisation other than Ford on our playing uniform," Cook said.

"Ford were fantastic, they are aware of the current status of football clubs and the need for us to grow our revenue base and they were the first to put up their hand and say if this is going to help the club then we will be in it."

While Cook would not reveal the amount of the NIB sponsorship, he said it was significant.

"This is a huge deal for us, second only to Ford in terms of dollars."

However while the Cats' sponsorship position is strong, membership is down following last year's failure to make the finals after the club had taken out the NAB Cup.

"Membership is about seven percent down compared to the same stage last year but we are confident we will claw our way back, given we have a good start to the year," Cook said.

"But at this stage it looks like our figure this year will be about 30,000 compared to about 32,000 last year given where we are at the moment."