FFA CEO David Gallop says Hyundai’s deal to continue sponsoring the A-League till 2020 is recognition of the game’s overall health and the growth of the league since it launched in 2005.
On Monday, Hyundai announced they’d extended their naming rights sponsorship deal of Australia’s A-League.
Hyundai extends partnership with FFA through to 2020
“We’re delighted they [Hyundai] are continuing. They were there at the start [of the A-League] and they’re now going to be there for 15 years,” Gallop said on Monday at the announcement of the extension.
“That shows there’s strength in the competition and recognition from a big commercial partner that they want to be part of it… a big brand and a big commercial supporter in the Australian business community.” The amount, said Gallop, was in the millions of dollars and a “significant uplift” on the most recent Hyundai deal.
Gallop explained the maturity of the sponsorship was such that Hyundai A-League clubs could look at their own car deals separate to Hyundai “within certain parameters”.
The FFA CEO also responded to expansion of the Hyundai A-League, saying it was something “on the horizon” although timelines remain non-specific.
“We will be bigger than 10 teams when the time is right,” he said, adding the new TV deal would be a mix of the current arrangement with Fox Sports and a free-to-air partner.
“And Hyundai are obviously interested in that [TV deal arrangement] which will enhance their sponsorship as well.
“The health of the game is reflected in Caltex [also] coming on board [as a sponsor]. Big brands show the health of your sport,” he added.
