THE PORT ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB is honoured to welcome MG Motor as a new joint major partner under a multi-year deal connecting one of the world’s largest car manufacturers with one of Australia’s most successful sporting organisations.
The partnership – announced today on Montefiore Hill, overlooking the club’s AFL home ground of Adelaide Oval - also marks the first time MG Motor has partnered with an AFL club, demonstrating the confidence it has in the future direction of Port Adelaide.
Port Adelaide Chairman David Koch said the club was thrilled to partner with MG Motor and honoured to wear such a long-established and internationally respected automotive brand on its guernsey.
“MG Motor is an established global company with a rich history in Australia and Port Adelaide could not be prouder of this partnership,” Mr Koch said.
“With MG Motor joining us as a joint major partner, we continue in our strategic drive to broaden Port Adelaide’s brand and make ourselves a bigger player in the national and international market.
“We are very grateful for the support MG Motor has extended to Port Adelaide and the belief it has shown in our future.”
Peter Ciao, CEO of MG Motor Australia said, “We are thrilled to be entering into a five-year major partnership with Port Adelaide Football Club.”
“MG Motor and Port Adelaide are two iconic brands with storied histories and a desire to continue innovating in our respective fields.
“Port Adelaide is also investing in the growth and development of its side, with the league leading percentage of young players on its team, something which MG Motor aligns strongly with – as we continue on our journey of bringing our new model line up to the Australian market, building trust and providing more choice in the passenger car segment.
“It is these similarities that cemented the partnership and excite us as we prepare for our first season collaborating together.
“AFL fans are some of Australia’s most passionate sporting supporters much like our classic and modern MG owner groups and we look forward watching the season unfold.”
The MG Motor name and logo will appear on the front of Port Adelaide’s home guernsey and on the back of its away strip.
Mr Koch said MG Motor’s slogan – “Fun motoring for life” – was highly appropriate for Port Adelaide.
“MG Motor’s philosophy of fun and innovaton is a perfect fit for Port Adelaide as we celebrate our 150th anniversary,” he said.
“Yes the AFL is a highly competitive industry but it is a game we all love and connect so deeply with. Football should be enjoyable whether you’re a player or a supporter and through our partnership with MG Motor we will continue to drive the notion of fun within everything we do, including our family friendly industry-leading game-day experience at Adelaide Oval.
“There is so much to look forward to at Port Adelaide. On one hand we will celebrate our rich history as Australia’s most successful league football club in 2020, while at the same time confidently look forward with one of the most exciting young playing lists in the competition.
“Now we welcome a great new friend in MG Motor to the Port Adelaide family and to have the company as a driving force behind us is just wonderful for Port Adelaide.
“Port Adelaide was of course established in 1870 and MG Motor was founded in 1924 and while we both have a rich history, we also share great excitement for what the future holds.”