Controversial choice: New sponsor's logo
All Blacks fans have reacted angrily to the New Zealand Rugby Union's controversial decision to sell commercial space on the front of the world champions' jersey.
The All Blacks' official Facebook page has been flooded with comments from passionate New Zealanders who object to having the name of US insurance giant AIG splashed across the front of the side's shirt.
Unlike most international sports teams, the All Blacks' famous black attire has largely been commercial free, apart from the logo of kit supplier adidas and a short-lived deal with a local brewer in the 1990s.
But, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said the tradition was unsustainable and the AIG deal, which will run until mid 2018, would provide a much need increase in cashflow.
However, his argument did not hold with purists who called the decision a "disgrace" and "disrespectful".
"One of the things that made the All Blacks so special, put them ahead of every other nation and world number one is the pride in the jersey," Nathan Hulme posted on Facebook.
"Now the NZRU have ruined that and what it stands for, sold out our pride and passion. Right at the heart of the all black jersey."
Peter Armitage added: "Steve Tew hang your head, you are a disgrace to the greatest team the world has ever seen."
Nico de Jong acknowledged the NZRU need to attract funds but not at the expense of the black jersey.
"It is part of our kiwi heritage, and by placing a company name on the front I think is completely disrespectful, especially considering it is a foreign company," he wrote.
Other critics targeted the choice of sponsor given that AIG required a $182 billion bailout from the US government at the height of the global financial crisis.
"It is so disappointing to see the NZRU choose such an unworthy company to partner with and even worse, give ownership of the black jersey by splashing their tainted brand over where the heart once beat," wrote Kano Wins.
John Copestake said: "You have ruined all the history and class of the black jersey by staining it with AIG on the chest. NZRU you make me sick."
Even players objected to the original proposal, forcing a reduction in the size of the logo and the removal of a white box around it.
"When we saw the size of it and the box we thought it was too big for the jersey," hooker Keven Mealamu revealed.
"So it's nice that they were respectful and able to take the box off and keep it to the size it is now."
But Tew made it clear there was no room for any further compromise.
"We respect people who decide that it's not a good idea, but we're the ones in charge of the legacy at the moment and we'll make the decisions we need to make," he said.
He added it cost about NZ$100 million ($82 million) to run rugby in New Zealand and significantly more cash was needed for the sport to survive and grow.
"It's a challenge for us, and we need some money."
The All Blacks will wear the new jersey for the first time when they play Australia in Brisbane on October 20.
Comments
latin says...
if this ruins the all black legacy, my word, it was rather fragile
Posted 07:13 14th October 2012
chuckpaki says...
Get over it people we will always back the all blacks for the better or worse as everyone of us know that the cost of living has risen and we have too make adjustment in our own budgets weather we work extra hrs too keep living comparable without losing your own personal standards.
No its great they can get a international global company too come on board they had manchester united football on their books the all blacks are marketing franshire dream and let the financial world know who we are .
I was a bit scepted about changing the jersey but realize they have too balance their books some how financialy
Posted 06:36 14th October 2012
Sincero says...
The only reason the ABs held out, with the beer exception, is because the BS idea of the modern Haka, traditionally a party piece of the colonials, now gives Adidas 90 seconds of prime advertising time before the start of NZ matches... the NRZU said the AIG logo was reduced out of respect to the TWO OTHER logos on the jersey... the larger and more important of which, for them, is the stripy one. NZRU sold out long ago... possibly the first to do so.
Posted 03:30 14th October 2012
bigb6969 says...
Hey, we are not all outraged. Yes I hate it, but I live in the real world. In NZ we do not need any extra rugby players, not a one. What we need is another 10 million people, 10 million customers. We are only have 4.4 m, but our country geographically about 15% bigger than Great Britain. Actually we could do with another 15m. Then our best players could afford to stay longer in NZ. We probably would not need South Africa in the Super Rugby !
But we wont pass 5 million for another 10-12 years
Posted 02:52 14th October 2012
Mace says...
Money talks, the All Blacks will walk.... all over the wallabies next weekend in our brand new AIG jerseys!!!! Hahaha. Im not for it thats for sure, but as a passionate All Blacks supporter we've got more important things to worry about, like claiming the world record of test wins then heading to the UK to smash them all too!!!! Ahhh is there any room left in our trophy cabinet at HQ in Wellington Steve Tew? You bloody betcha!!! ALL BLACKS FOREVER...
Posted 01:48 14th October 2012
The_Block says...
I've read some NZ articles on this - most of the comments are fairly realistic. Did PR just grab the angry comments and just not bother reporting on the pragmatic comments? As one eyed as a saffa fan there PR.
Posted 01:33 14th October 2012
AWEBLAX says...
Oh well such is life, as a Kiwi I have to admit I'm not happy but this is what proffesional sport is all about I suppose, as long as the guy's keep hitting those milestones I'll keep supporting them. Can understand why some of my fellow countrymen arn't happy, but Tew's right the ABs legacy and NZ rugby as a whole is the most important factor and if we need money to keep it going, so be it......
Posted 00:44 14th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
I hear the Haka is going to be sponsored by Abby Lee Dance Company !!!
Posted 23:38 13th October 2012
KiwiLad says...
There is a lot of space left if they need another $100m
It is at the end of the day a Rugby Jersey, albeit a somewhat famous one, but a piece of cloth none the less, If they need money to keep players at home, I say good luck to them!
Posted 23:07 13th October 2012
Waz4before says...
Damn it .... They are the BEST team even though they're poor, now they've got money coming in ...
Posted 22:31 13th October 2012
Kinsman says...
@rollingdonut, as much as I like hearing about respect for the team, I struggle to understand why New Zealand are true sportsmen and other teams such as South Africa, England, Argentina etc are not. The All Blacks have always had a sponsor through the professional era so the only difference here is 3 letters on the front of their shirt. Did you feel they were cheapened when The Adidas or Steinlager logos were put on the shirt? Were those teams also not 'true sportsmen'?
Personally I think there are some very confused people with both short term memories and a lack of understanding of today's commercial realities.
....and people outside NZ who would be better placed querying why their traditional white jersey can be so easily displaced for something that is purple or black than spouting dribble over who New Zealand select as a sponsor.
Posted 22:12 13th October 2012
rollingdoughnut says...
I'm English like Manni83, and I agree with every word. We all want to beat the All Blacks, but we all totally respect them too. This has cheapened what in reality is one of the few, if not the only, remaining truly representative teams of true sportsmen.
Posted 21:23 13th October 2012
paulynz says...
Lots of realists here. Don't really need to say too much more...
Posted 21:08 13th October 2012
Darth_Hans says...
Eggs... Get over the whining!
The All Blacks jersey was always going to have a sponsor on it. Steinlager a few years ago and now AIG. I would also prefer a sponsor like Air NZ, but they don't have a spare $100m... The jersey is not this sacred object - it's a jersey the team wears to play! But then again it's good to have the whining as it shows how much the ABs mean to some people
Posted 20:55 13th October 2012
Nahpoowee says...
Chubbylugs... did you read what you posted? lolz
Posted 20:42 13th October 2012
Tamjon says...
Those that are passionate about the issue have gone to facebook, Most of us kiwis understand the commercial reality of the situation. In a year from now, no one will even be talking about it.
Posted 20:37 13th October 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
Seriously PR - really??? If you'd bothered to do some actual research, rather than rely on the comments of All Black greats and rugby purists such as Peter and Nathan Nobody, you'd actually find that those that actually know a thing or 2 about the game (such as Colin Meads and Brian Lochore) understand and support commercial reality, and that this was an inevitable situation thats been on the cards for years.
Posted 19:43 13th October 2012
Kinsman says...
@zandberg, if the AB's have lost a considerable amount of their appeal to you because of 3 letters on their shirt, I suggest it says a lot more about you than it does them.
Posted 19:40 13th October 2012
Pembs says...
Did my time machine just land in the 1950s? Surely this is a good thing for the future of rugby in NZ. When you started quoting Facebook as a source of reference I had to check it wasn't April 1st
Posted 19:11 13th October 2012
Zandberg says...
Will the ex "All Blacks" be jinxed from now on? I've always been an All Black admirer, if not supporter, in part due to their "clean" shirt. Just like Barcelona, a not inconsiderable bit of their appeal is now lost. I've also always admired Richie McCaw (always humble, a gentleman and a great sportsman), but he should rather just have said nothing, instead of waffling how honoured they are to have this wonderful sponsor.
Posted 18:11 13th October 2012