2022 Rabbitoh News - MG Motor signs as Major Sponsor 2022-26

MG Motor signs as Major Sponsor 2022-26

9th December 2021

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce that one of the world’s most recognisable and respected automotive brands, MG Motor, has signed on as the Club’s Major Corporate Partner for the next five seasons. MG’s famous octagon logo will be front and centre on both the Rabbitohs’ home and away playing kits as well as prominent branding on training kit, supporter wear, digital assets, in-stadium signage, networking benefits and much more. The brand’s presence in Australia has gone from strength to strength since the establishment of its Australian office in 2016, this year cementing its place in the top ten of automotive brands thanks to its top-selling MG3 hatch and ZS SUV. It is also a leader in the electric vehicle space, thanks to the best-selling ZS EV and versatile HS Plus EV. MG Motor will be seen on the front of the chest of the Rabbitohs NRL jerseys. Aqualand will move to the bottom back of the jersey. Wotif will feature on the sternum of the jerseys with Menulog maintaining its position on the upper back and Crown Resorts continuing to appear on the sleeves. Classic Sportswear continues as the Club’s official apparel partner.

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly is delighted to welcome MG into the Rabbitohs family. "Firstly, we would like to thank CEO Peter Ciao and the team at MG Motor Australia and New Zealand for joining the Rabbitohs family in 2022 and for making a long-term commitment to the Club," Mr Solly said. The MG Octagon badge is synonymous with quality and success right across the globe. It’s instantly recognisable and we feel the same way about the Rabbitohs. MG started life in the 1920s producing sports cars with immediate success on the racetrack in the 1930s, much the same as the Rabbitohs following our establishment in 1908. "We pride ourselves on being more than a football team. Through Souths Cares we touch thousands of people each year in the community, our Members have a real connection with the Club by owning part of the team and we have initiatives such as Rabbitohs-plus and our non-fungible tokens which are all out-of-the-box thinking for most sporting organisations in this country. Whether it is their support of grassroots sports teams through its dealer network, or their work with charities like the Australian Red Cross, MG also shows a dedication and focus to the Australian community. MG is one of the great brands around the world and it joins a fantastic suite of major and premier corporate partners at our Club including Aqualand, Crown Resorts, Wotif, Menulog, Ingenia Holiday Parks and Classic Sportswear. Once again we thank Peter and MG Motor for their long-term commitment to our Club, and we look forward to celebrating their centenary alongside them in 2024. For our club and our sport to attract a company as recognisable as MG speaks volumes for the fact that not only do we have what I think is the best ball sport in the world but we also have a unique place in the community."

MG Motor have signed on as South Sydney’s major sponsor for the next five-years and the multi-million dollar deal owes much to a chance encounter on the golf course between the automotive company’s Chinese boss and a passionate Rabbitohs fan. Peter Ciao, CEO of MG Motor Australia and New Zealand, revealed that his company had been looking to sponsor a sporting team and was considering a number of NRL clubs when he met the unknown Souths fan while playing golf at Parramatta during Sydney’s recent COVID lockdown. "You were only allowed to play golf with two people, so I like to talk with players in other groups," Ciao said. "I have been wanting MG to get involved with rugby league since my arrival in Australia, however, with so many teams I was unsure of which team to choose. Here was a guy wearing the Rabbitohs cap and I asked him his opinion about the team. The passionate way he spoke to me about the club and the generations of Rabbitohs supporters, made my final decision clear about which club to choose. The Rabbitohs have a long heritage since 1908 and a passion that has delivered them 21 premierships - the most of any team, Our brand also has a strong heritage and our passion too has made us a top 10 brand in Australia."