What is it about car makers and football teams that brings so many of them together? In recent days partnerships between AFL, Rugby Union and FIFA soccer have been announced. Perhaps football fans are also rampant new car buyers?
First club off the rank was Škoda Australia, which will be a 'Premier Partner' of the newly created Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL Team.
It has not been made public what deal is worth, but Škoda Australia is expected to have outlaid serious money for this top tier sponsorship of what could be one of the most-watched teams in the AFL in 2012.
"For an automotive manufacturer to succeed in Australia, it's much more than advertising dollars -- it's about getting into the psyche of Australia. Is there anything more Australian than AFL?" head of Škoda Australia, Matthew Wiesner, asked.
As an official car partner, Škoda has agreed to provide the team with a fleet of vehicles, including the Octavia and Superb models.
"Like the Greater Western Sydney Giants, Škoda Australia is a challenger brand. Like the Giants, we understand that you must embrace your communities," said Wiesner.
"Our growth plans are unashamedly ambitious -- and significant growth in brand image and awareness are instrumental to our success.
Another recently formed partnership between a football code and a car maker involves the Rugby World Cup and Land Rover. Not only is the British luxury 4WD maker sponsoring the 2011 Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand, it's also signed on for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
Already the "Official Vehicle of England Rugby, Premiership Rugby and the UK's Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup" Land Rover clearly thinks it can influence the rugby hordes.
Last but not least is Hyundai and its soccer relationship. Hyundai has extended its agreement with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) as official automotive partner.
The 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Final host countries will be announced in two weeks, and Hyundai has signed on as a major sponsor up until the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Korean car maker has already been the official automotive partner of the past three FIFA World Cups.
All we need now is for Bolwell to sponsor Gaelic football and almost all football bases would be covered...
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