BT Sport will feature as the shirt sponsor for both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby as part of a four-year sponsorship deal with Scottish Rugby.
The new sports channels’ logo will be displayed on the front of both clubs’ shirts as they compete in the RaboDirect PRO12 and the Heineken Cup.
This new landmark partnership with the telecoms giant, which runs for four seasons until 2017, will see BT and BT Sport promoted at Scotstoun and Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby union.
Scottish rugby’s new sponsorship agreement with BT Sport comes just days before its two new channels launch at 6.00pm on Thursday, August 1.
This season, Glasgow Warriors start their Heineken Cup campaign with a tough away draw against defending champions Toulon, while Edinburgh will play at Murrayfield as they take on Munster.
Glasgow and Edinburgh’s European matches are broadcast on Sky Sports, meaning the BT Sport logo will be regularly visible during live matches feature either club.
The shirt sponsorship deal allows BT to circumvent Sky’s refusal to allow BT Sport adverts on its own sports channels.
Marc Watson, chief executive of TV for BT Retail, said: “We are very pleased to invest in Scottish Rugby with this sponsorship, which allows BT and BT Sport to demonstrate a commitment to supporting the game north of the border.
“This is part of our long term commitment to rugby, where we see great growth potential in the coming years.
BT Sport will be the home of the Aviva Premiership, showing all 69 live games, plus action from the JP Morgan Premiership 7s, which kicks-off BT’s coverage on launch day (August 1), as well as two live games each weekend from France’s Top 14.
Former England captain and British and Irish Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio will be BT Sport’s rugby expert.
BT’s live coverage will be presented by Craig Doyle and ex-England internationals Matt Dawson, Ben Kay and Austin Healey will be expert pundits, while Sarra Elgan and ex-England star Martin Bayfield will be reporters.
Mark Dodson, chief executive of Scottish Rugby, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have BT and BT Sport on board for the next four years.
“This partnership has been many months in the making and it’s been gratifying to have concluded it ahead of the BT Sport channels launching.”
Scottish Rugby director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay, added: “It’s great news to have secured another long term partnership with such a prestigious company.
“Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby are growing clubs and with BT’s ambitious support, both clubs will continue to grow, whilst ensuring that they are able to compete at the highest level both in their domestic league and in European competitions.
The partnership will also see BT working with Scottish Rugby and our supporters to further enhance our match day experience at both Murrayfield and Scotstoun.”
Alastair Kellock, Glasgow Warriors captain, said: “It’s a huge boost for everyone associated with the club to have BT Sport as our new shirt sponsor for the next four years. I can’t wait to see our new kit when it’s launched next month.”
Ross Ford, Edinburgh Rugby hooker, said: “BT is a high profile, household name and it’s fantastic to be associated with them. The length of the deal shows their long-term commitment to the club.”
