All Blacks sue Ineos over £22m sponsorship breach

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has initiated legal action against Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, Ineos, for allegedly breaching a six-year sponsorship agreement worth approximately £22 million. NZR claims Ineos failed to pay the first instalment for 2025 and has effectively decided to exit the deal three years early. In response, Ineos cited rising energy costs and extreme carbon taxes as reasons for its financial difficulties, expressing disappointment over NZR's decision to pursue legal action instead of negotiating a solution. This controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of Ratcliffe's management of Manchester United, where he has implemented significant cost-cutting measures, including job cuts and increased ticket prices. NZR, meanwhile, is actively seeking new sponsorship opportunities and is confident in the global appeal of the All Blacks brand. The sponsorship deal with Ineos had previously included branding on the national team's kit, which is now set to be removed following the legal dispute.