Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Hyundai Motor Company Australia have extended their partnership for a further four years, it was announced today.
This will see the Hyundai A-League’s naming rights sponsorship continue through to the end of the 2019/20 season.
Hyundai has been the naming rights sponsor since the start of the Hyundai A-League in 2005, and this renewal will see the partnership extend through to a 15th season.
Under the terms of the new contract, Hyundai has also increased its involvement to now include rights to the Westfield W-League, Caltex Socceroos and Westfield Matildas.
The renewal will see a continued investment to the successful Hyundai Goals for Grassroots program.
“Hyundai has been a fantastic supporter and partner of the A-League since before the competition’s inception and it is great news they have agreed to continue the relationship for a further four years,” said FFA CEO David Gallop. “Hyundai’s support now runs through the pyramid of Australian Football from the grassroots to our flagship competitions.
“I’d like to thank Hyundai for their valuable support and look forward to another four years of the relationship.”
Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer Mr Charlie Kim said:
“A commitment to be title sponsor for 15 consecutive years is a rare thing in any sport, and there is no better measure of how much Hyundai loves the game – we are as much fans as we are sponsors.
“I extend my thanks to David Gallop and the team at the FFA for the great work they do for football in this country. We will continue to support the Hyundai A-League, along with the Westfield W-League, the Caltex Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas, because we know that when we grow football, we grow our brand.
“Also, we never forget where our future football stars come from, the grass-roots clubs, to whom we have donated over $600,000 through our Goals for Grassroots program.”
The partnership renewal is a significant show of confidence for the Hyundai A-League but also recognises the growing maturity of the competition, with clubs now allowed to enter into corporate partnerships with car companies over an agreed threshold.
“The Hyundai A-League has grown to become one of the most recognisable mainstream sporting competitions in Australia and Hyundai should be congratulated for their role in allowing the league and the 10 clubs to maximise future growth by allowing clubs to enter into automotive sponsorships of a significant nature,” Gallop said.
“It shows that football is serious about working together to grow the game and is a fantastic indication of the strength of the relationship football shares with Hyundai at all levels.”
Mr Charlie Kim said: “We understand that to grow the game of football at club level, and to demonstrate our commitment to the sport, it’s important to allow this flexibility. We look forward to seeing even more success and growth in the Hyundai A-League through to the end of the decade.”