The Sharks have been chalking up the wins during the 2022 season, to the point where they are one game away from locking down second position on the NRL ladder and earning a home semi-final.
That success on the field has also been mirrored in the commercial space, with four significant sponsor renewals, led by major partner Aramex and adding up to an investment of over $4.5M in total, set to give the team a boost just one week out from the NRL Finals.
Already into their second season as the Club’s front of jersey partner, Aramex have extended their association for a further three years, back of jersey partner Zambrero have done likewise, while 2022 shorts sponsor Madimack have upped the ante in moving to the bottom back of the NRL jersey for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The sponsor renewals, coupled with existing partner Ace Gutters returning for the second year of their contract as sleeve partner and likewise PointsBet who are continuing on the sternum of the NRL jersey, and it marks three consecutive years in which the Sharks will have a full complement of jersey properties signed and sealed heading into a new season.
Coupled with the retention of online men’s health brand Pilot as short sponsor for next season, the renewal announcements are a reflection of the current strength of the Sharks brand, both in relation to on field performance and the commercial backing the club is enjoying away from it.
“Obviously we are thrilled to have our apparel properties secured for next season and beyond, but we are possibly even more excited about the quality of the partners we have been able to attract, and now retain,” Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said.
“We are in the position where we can select the brands we want to partner with, we have a certain criteria we work through, and all concerned definitely meet those standards and share our values.
“Also through networking amongst each other, our partners have struck up business relationships which are beneficial to all parties.
“All have been great to work with and have seen the direction the Club is heading, not only on the field guided by head coach Craig Fitzgibbon, but also commercially under the direction of our Board and Management,” Mezzatesta added.
For international logistics, transportation and courier services company Aramex, committing to remain on the front of the jersey into a fifth year is set to make them the longest serving major Sharks partner for well over a decade.
“Aramex is delighted to renew our support of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2023 as principal partner and front-of-jersey sponsors,” said Peter Lipinski CEO, Aramex Oceania.
“We are proud to partner with an organisation of such high calibre. They are professional, community-minded and focussed on achieving their goals.
“The Sharks and Aramex have created a great synergy over the past two years. As a high-performance team, they always deliver for the fans, just as we deliver for our customers.
“Taking a long-term view with our commitment until 2025, we are building a partnership that will benefit both organisations and our communities for years to come and I'd like to thank Dino Mezzatesta and his team for their fantastic support and collaboration in ensuring Aramex is part of the Sharks family. Up, up, Cronulla,” Lipinski added.
Similarly, Zambrero, a ‘feel good’ Mexican restaurant chain with a community conscience, with a new store recently opened in Cronulla, also embraced the opportunity to also extend its tenure as Sharks top back jersey partner.
“Zambrero has certainly enjoyed and benefited from the partnership with the Sharks to this point and look forward to building on the relationship over the next three years,” expressed CEO Mathew Kenny.
“We are building our presence in Australia and specifically in the Sutherland Shire with the help of the Sharks and by continuing to work together can see even bigger and better things ahead.
“It’s an exciting time of the year and Zambrero definitely has the Sharks ‘back’ heading into the NRL Finals next week,” Kenny said.
While Madimack, an Australia-wide manufacturer of efficient electrical products, such as pool heating, hot water and HVAC, jumped at the chance to increase their investment and to move from the Sharks NRL shorts to the bottom back position on the NRL jersey for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
“Being part of the Sharks’ family has been an honour that Madimack has enjoyed tremendously over the past two seasons,” Madimack CEO, Alex Welsh offered.
“The dedication shown by the club’s players and administration transfers to its member-base and made re-signing our Hot Water Division as back-of-jersey sponsors very exciting. Up up Cronulla.”
And after a year where their logo and branding has appeared on the Sharks front short panel, men’s on-line health provider Pilot also return for a second season.
“We're stoked to be back onboard with Craig and the team in 2023 – we'll keep levelling up Men's Health together and work on bringing home a couple of comps while we're at it,” Charlie Gearside, Founder and CEO of Pilot said
Add the sponsor retention announcements to the fact that all available corporate hospitality at PointsBet Stadium sold out prior to round one, with already 30 businesses on the waitlist for corporate suites in 2023, during a year in which the Sharks broke records for Club sponsorship revenue, and it has been a successful season in more ways than one.
NOTE: Featuring ‘starring’ performances by former Sharks legends Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis, we had a little fun around announcing the retention of our corporate partners. See the video playing above.
