Skoda new sponsor for GWS

[ozczecho]

I think its great news. Shows Skoda is serious in growing beyond a tiny niche player. All thats got to happen now is to improve delivery lead times....

[brad]

I think its great news. Shows Skoda is serious in growing beyond a tiny niche player. All thats got to happen now is to improve delivery lead times....

No worse than Ford Mondeo. Volumes appear no different either.

[hmoon101]

And the Subaru link is an interesting one too - ex-Outback owner here.... (but won't switch from occasional support of the Swans! )

ex-Forester owner here...

[K1W1]

The details of the deal are...

3 years sponsorship.
$1.5 million a year.
Naming rights for the stadium to "Skoda Stadium".

Interestingly, this sponsorship is 35% more than the deal done for the Gold Coast Suns (the other new AFL team). I actually thought when I originally saw it that maybe Skoda got a discount. Seems they paid a premium.

(info from the Telegraph)

Don't forget that the GWS team will not be in the AFL until the 2012 season so if it's 3 years from now the first 18 months is before the senior team even play a competitive game other than probably two pre season matches at their home ground on one day in February next year.

[Inego]

Don't forget that the GWS team will not be in the AFL until the 2012 season so if it's 3 years from now the first 18 months is before the senior team even play a competitive game other than probably two pre season matches at their home ground on one day in February next year.

Still, surely there'll be local promotion and at least some national interest in the new team. And it will cost less than it would if they were playing.

I was looking at the team roster earlier and a bit surpised that the average age of current signings is 17.5......

[bobski]

Don't forget that the GWS team will not be in the AFL until the 2012 season so if it's 3 years from now the first 18 months is before the senior team even play a competitive game other than probably two pre season matches at their home ground on one day in February next year.

Is that confirmed? I kinda figured that it wouldn't start until they were on the centre stage. I'd be very surprised if they pay the full amount in the first year with a couple of demo games and the NAB cup (for what are you paying 1.5 mil for exactly??). GWS will not get much coverage in Sydney unless they are playing and winning games (I just signed up as a founding GWS member $50 seems pretty reasonable...).

[K1W1]

GWS are playing the first round of the NAB cup in February against the Swans and the Gold Coast team at Bankstown. It's a 20-20 style format for AFL where there are three games in a night and each team plays the other two in their group. The games are two halves of 20 minutes each so all three games take up about 3 hours total. If GWS finish top of the three teams they go to the next round if not there is a second chance option.

GWS do not enter the competition proper until 2012 but I think they might be playing in the second grade competition oe under 19's or something next year.

[Antiplastix]

Personaly I would have thought with all the bad press drunken footballers have been getting from both codes, cricket would have been a better option.

[Brycem]

Can we now stop worrying about the brand's long term future in Oz?

Personally I think this is marvellous news. I picked up the Courier Mail at lunch and Israel Folau is proudly pictured with Skoda emblazened across his left pectoral.

Sky news had a story running all day with Skoda name on the shirts too.

This is only the beginning. I love the fact they sponsor road cycling world wide but AFL will open up brand awareness to a wider audience.

[RSwag]

This is well off the topic but i listened to Matt on the Fox FM this morning, apparently he road non stop for just under 520km in 24 hours to raise funds for Beyond Blue, specifically mens depression. I don't know if Skoda got involved but he is an ambassador for the Amy Gillett foundation which Skoda sponsor so maybe they might get some indirect exposure, but all in all that is a massive effort.

As the link to cycling is so strong maybe check out foxfom.com.au and donate a little something for the cause if you so wish.

[bobski]

So far so good for Skoda. Every GWS news story I've seen shows players in that "stands out like dogs balls" orange jersey and that very prominent white "Skoda" logo (which is more than you can say for some logos).

I've had a couple of friends when talking about GWS say "Skoda, you have one of those, don'tcha?"... "Yes I do. Its awesome. Buy one now..."