Allianz Park name change confirmed

Saracens’ relationship with Allianz has come to an end and, thus, the name of the club’s home ground will revert back to the old Copthall Stadium for an ‘interim period’, until a new sponsor arrives on the scene.

The club issued the following statement:

“The stadium has been known as Allianz Park for over seven years and has become home to a number of our partners including the Saracens Foundation, Middlesex University, Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers athletics and the Luna Cinema as well as world-class men’s and women’s rugby.

“The club would like to thank Allianz for their support over a significant period and wish them all the best with their sponsorship of the Women’s Premier 15s and beyond.”

Allianz are pulling out early of their deal with Saracens as a result of the club’s salary cap disaster.

Nigel Curry, a sponsorship industry expert, said the following:

“Saracens have become a toxic brand and only time can get them back to where they want to be.

“It’s similar to Rangers in Scottish football who dropped down after breaking various rules. You just have to rebuild and for clubs wanting instant success, it is pretty bad news. There is a danger that Saracens could get relegated from the Premiership and the damage over the next two years will be pretty bad.

“Holding onto their players and their sponsors during that period is the key thing, but having someone like Nigel Wray there is important because you don’t make money out of Premiership rugby at the moment. It’s tough and now a lot a tougher for Saracens and I don’t know if their club sponsor Allianz have some kind of embarrassment clause in their contract.”