The Australian Professional League (APL) soccer governing body has unveiled a two-year extension and expansion of its major commercial deal with automotive brand Isuzu UTE.
The partnership renewal will see Isuzu UTE continue as the naming rights partner of the A-League Men’s competition for the next two seasons, and also as a major partner and automotive sponsor of the A-League Women until 2026 (the APL oversees both leagues).
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In terms of upgrades to the partnership, Isuzu UTE will now integrate digital assets into A-League content, and will also have back-of-shirt branding rights across six clubs in the A-League Women from 2024-25. This season (2023-24), Isuzu UTE is providing “a fleet of vehicles for on-the-ground support.”
This extension comes with the original three-year deal between the APL and Isuzu UTE – announced in October 2021 – having been set to expire next year. Isuzu UTE had taken over naming rights for the men’s league from Japanese car brand Hyundai.
Nick Garcia, commissioner of the A-Leagues structure, has said: “We’re delighted to continue this collaboration. Anticipating another season of unprecedented success, we eagerly look forward to achieving it in partnership with Isuzu UTE.”
Junta Matsui, Isuzu Ute Australia’s managing director, added: “Soccer in Australia is not just a sport but a way of life for so many people, and Isuzu UTE Australia is proud to be a part of this passionate community. As a brand, we’ve always stood for durability, strength, and reliability – qualities that perfectly align with the A-Leagues.”
The men’s A-League season began on October 20, while the women’s competition did so on October 14. Both currently contain 12 teams.
In early November, the APL announced a new sponsorship deal with trading and investing platform eToro.
Under a three-year agreement, the company will serve as the official trading and investing platform of the men’s and women’s A-Leagues.
Late October, meanwhile, saw the body renew its sponsorship deal with McDonald’s Australia, the regional arm of the global fast-food giant.
The APL has also recently had its chief executive, Danny Townsend, step down to lead SRJ Sports Investment, the sports investment fund of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Isuzu, meanwhile, became the official vehicle partner of the Scottish Cup men’s knockout soccer competition last December, in a multi-year deal.
