Scottish Rugby and BT to extend partnership until 2021

Scottish Rugby has extended its record-breaking partnership with global communications and broadcast company BT for a further three years, it has been announced today.The new deal, which begins in June 2018, maintains BT’s position as principal partner for Scottish Rugby and continues its investment, first unveiled in May 2014.BT retains the naming rights to Scotland’s largest sporting stadium, BT Murrayfield, alongside its role as principal partner of the Scotland national team and Scotland 7s.Since 2014, BT’s investment has helped redefine the rugby landscape in Scotland through investment in the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, BT league and cup competitions, as well as supporting the Club Sustainability Fund to provide investment in capital projects at grassroot clubs.BT’s distinctive logo will continue to be displayed on the front of Scotland rugby shirts across the world, in the Six Nations Championship, as well as the summer and autumn test matches.The partnership continues to see BT promoted at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Edinburgh Rugby and BT Murrayfield Stadium.Scottish Rugby has enjoyed great success on the pitch during the first term of BT sponsorship, culminating in 2017 with Scotland reaching 5th in the world rankings, Scotland U20s securing their highest ever finish in the Junior World Championships, Scotland Women recording their best Six Nations since 2010 and Scotland 7s winning back-to-back London HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series titles. Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive, BT Business and Public sector, said: I am very pleased BT is continuing its relationship and investing in Scottish rugby with this sponsorship until 2021. BT is a proud supporter of Scotland and we hope to continue seeing further success on the pitch. This partnership allows BT to continue its commitment to support innovation and the development of the game in Scotland, as well as being the home of the Aviva Premiership rugby and European rugby.Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: Over the past three years we have built an excellent relationship with BT and worked closely with them to ensure their investment made a material difference to the game in Scotland. This confidence has enabled us to have proactive negotiations with them to ensure they could continue as a principal partner.I believe we are just beginning to see the fruits of this investment and we are delighted this partnership will now be extended for a further three years, enabling BT to continue to support our ambitions for rugby at every level.Scottish Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer, Dominic McKay, said: We are thrilled BT has decided to extend its relationship through to 2021 and will invest significant sums in our game at all levels. I know their relationship with Scotland, and rugby, is important and having a partner they can work with both in the UK and internationally has been good for their business.Our counterparts at BT have been brilliant to work with and we look forward to continuing our relationship in the coming years.We are very proud of the way we deliver and support for our partners and this significant extension demonstrates the confidence and understanding we have built up with BT in recent years.This new deal will enable Scottish Rugby to continue to move forward on and off the pitch and clearly demonstrates we are open for business, with a fantastic product we are very proud of.About BTBT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Consumer, EE, Business and Public Sector, Global Services, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.For the year ended 31 March 2017, BT Group’s reported revenue was£24,062m with reported profit before taxation of£2,354m.British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.