This three-year partnership will result in particular in visibility in the stadiums where the French XV for men, women and under-20s play or in stores.
The opticians brand Optic 2000 has become “major partner” of the French rugby federation announced the two actors on Monday, a good omen for the federation in search of sponsors in the face of a deteriorated economic situation. Optic 2000 becomes for “three years” a second level sponsor of the FFR, below the jersey sponsors (Altrad, Renault, Société Générale, Adidas). This will result in particular in visibility in the stadiums where the French XV for men, women and under-20s play or in stores, indicates a joint press release.
This partnership “proves the appeal of rugby”welcomed Florian Grill, president of the FFR. The question of sponsors was raised during the federal campaign which ended in October, after the departure in January 2024 of the insurer GMF. This historic partner of the federation, since 1985, did not wish to extend due to the change in the price list for sponsors. However, the French rugby federation is in the red financially weighed down in particular by the deficit linked to the organization of the 2023 World Cup or the non-payment of several deadlines from the former equipment manufacturer, Le Coq sportif.
The signing of a new sponsor also reassures a little after a summer where the image of rugby was degraded with the racist remarks of the back of the XV of France Melvyn Jaminet and the indictment for rape of Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou during the tour in Argentina. The two players, who returned to France and who played again with their club in the Top 14, are awaiting the decision of the Argentine judges after the dismissal requested by the prosecution. This partnership will allow «d’amplifier» the actions “in favor of the inclusion of people with visual and hearing disabilities”via the FFR endowment fund, also provides the press release.
