Diageo, the parent company of Guinness have terminated their long-standing sponsorship deal with London Irish. The deal has been in place for 30 years but was officially terminated yesterday due to London Irish’s decision to sign former Irish International Paddy Jackson who was cleared of rape last year.
Guinness are the second sponsor to cut ties with the Exiles after Cash Converters ended their association last month.
London Irish have since come out to state that Cash Converters terminated their deal prior to the announcement of Jackson’s signing.
Diageo, who own Guinness, had recently extended the partnership with the club in 2016, calling it a ‘very special’ relationship.
Jackson’s signing has since prompted them to reassess the deal and a statement yesterday read;
‘(Irish’s) recent decision is not consistent with our values and so we have ended our sponsorship,’
London Irish released a statement in response to the news yesterday.
‘The club has always respected the right for everyone to have an opinion, and their right to express that opinion, It is regretful that this relationship has ended in the manner that it has.’
There has been a mixed reaction on social media to the news.
@Diageo_News your a disgrace for withdrawing your sponsorship of london irish due to paddy jackson— POTR (@POTR33807691) June 13, 2024
@BreakfastNT Diageo took the right decision re Paddy Jackson. Ulster rugby and IRFU were pressurized by their sponsors who didn’t want their brands being tarnished by association.— Eamon Donovan (@eamondonovan) June 14, 2024
It would have been a better decision by Diagio to stick with London Irish and have Paddy Jackson do a campaign on misogynistic behaviour/lad culture/drinking etc., to show others how doing these things can completely ruin your life.— Jeremy Kearney (@jeremykearney) June 14, 2024
It’s a disgraceful and undemocratic decision, very like brexit where remainers are refusing to accept a democratic people’s decision in a referendum, Paddy Jackson was AQUITTED in his rape trial, but some horrible people are refusing to accept an exhaustive court finding in that— Philip Murrell (@FelipeMurrelli) June 13, 2024
