Embattled smartphone company Huawei extends major sponsorship of the Canberra Raiders

Embattled tech company Huawei, which is facing a US black ban that will challenge its world smartphone market share, has signed a new two-year contract to continue as major sponsor for NRL team the Canberra Raiders.

The deal will run till the end of the 2021 season and take the commercial partnership to 10 seasons long – one of the longest in professional Australian sports.

The deal will also include Huawei taking over the naming rights of the Canberra District Rugby League (CDRL) Centre in Braddon which has been earmarked as the future headquarters of the Canberra Raiders.

Huawei is experiencing serious challenges in the marketplace following the decision by the Trump administration to ban it from doing business with US companies.

Huawei says these US actions will not impact Australian customers.

“This year Huawei is celebrating our 15^th year of operating in Australia and the extension of our major sponsorship deal with the Canberra Raiders is a sign of our deep commitment to long-term engagement in the Australian market,” says Huawei Australia chairman John Lord.

“Although the last year has been a challenging one for us the Raiders have stuck by us as loyal friends and partners and we deeply appreciate their support.

“Our partnership with the Raiders has been hugely beneficial to both parties and we look forward to the next two years with great excitement at the opportunities that lie ahead for both of us.”

Huawei joined forces with the Canberra Raiders in 2012 which was the company’s first major sports sponsorship anywhere in the world.

Huawei and the Raiders have worked together to raise more than $200,000 for charities includingTour de Cure, Soldier On, Bowel Cancer Australia and the Ricky Stuart Foundation.

“The Raiders are extremely proud to announce Huawei has signed on as our major sponsor for another two years – taking our partnership to ten seasons, our longest ever major sponsorship,” Canberra Raiders CEO Don Furner said.

“We have achieved a huge amount from our partnership with Huawei and this latest deal presents us with the opportunity to take our partnership to new levels over the next two seasons.

“This relationship is more than just a logo on a jersey, we continue to work with Huawei on a number of very important community initiatives and fundraising opportunities for very worthwhile causes.

“Additionally, their product inclusions in our new CDRL Centre allow us to be at the forefront of the newest and best technology.”