Warrior Built Part Three: Corporate Partners fuel Growth

Herriman, UT – With Major League Rugby’s (MLR) growth and the Utah Warriors’ growing success on the ticketing and gameday fronts, the partnerships category of the Warriors’ business has seen similar successful growth.

Most notable around this growth has been the Utah Warriors premium hospitality and partnership program, the Warriors XV, which sold out for the first time in the history of the club. The Warriors XV partners become the “caretakers” of one of the team’s jerseys that is advertised on the bottom half of all game jerseys. The Warriors XV partners also receive premium hospitality at all home games along with online and in-game promotion to their “caretaker” status for their respective jersey.

The value created by the Warriors XV program has shown immense substance in the first five years of the team’s operation.

Learn more about the Warriors XV!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/kWidGiveLu

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 17, 2022

“Compass Outdoor has been a proud partner of Utah Warriors for five seasons,” said Warriors XV member Barbara Feeley, Dir of Operations for Compass Billboards said, “What’s most impressive to me about their organization is that they have not only done well showcasing the sport of rugby, but also the awesomeness of the community and culture. There are a wealth of rugby lovers in Utah. My family and I love going to games and seeing Compass Billbaord’s logo on the #12 jersey. Being a Warriors XV member has been a true honor.”

Along with the sellout of the Warriors XV program the Utah Warriors have continued to maintain a 90% renewal rate of partners, outpacing industry averages that hover in the 75-80% ranges. With over 26 Warriors partners, the on-going retention rate and the continued growth in numbers and the size of partners, the Utah Warriors are continuing to show their value in local, domestic and even international partnerships.

The twenty-six partners that the Utah Warriors’ carried were also MLR’s largest list of partners for any MLR team during the 2022 season. With the number of partners growing by over 20% in 2022, the expectation is that companies looking to partner and grow their brands with the Utah Warriors will meet or exceed this rate for the 2023 season.

Learn more about the Warriors' Jersey Sponsor, Restore!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/sigX7Iorn3

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 17, 2022

Headlining the Warriors partnerships has been the anchored support of Intermountain Healthcare. Being a founder partner for the Utah Warriors from early 2018, Intermountain Healthcare has grown their presence with the Warriors from a simple back-of jersey and medical care partnership to being the Exclusive Health Care and Sports Medicine partner for the Warriors through the 2023 season, including the jersey front and activation in all Warriors’ Pathway and Jr. Warriors community programs.

“Given the influence sports have on social change and positively impacting the health of individuals and families, Intermountain Healthcare is proud to be a part of the Utah Warriors community.” Ann Robertson, Intermountain Healthcare Asst. VP of Marketing & Consumer Experience said, “Together, we’re engaging people to improve health behaviors, address health disparities, and advance the health of the community. The Utah Warriors are an incredible partner and share a focus on community, family, tradition, and respect – things that are essential to living the healthiest lives possible.”

Learn more about the Warriors' Jersey Sponsor, @Intermountain!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/aBUd1AWTWH

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 17, 2022

As the Warriors and the MLR continue to see growth, the partnerships of the Utah Warriors have continued to show their value and opportunities for innovative companies. These partners are vital to the mission of creating North America’s epicenter of rugby and will continue to feature as the Zions Bank Stadium remains as the MLR’s leading home venue and as the Warriors continue to provide the most media access to Warriors Nation, domestically and internationally.

This op-ed was written by Warriors’ Corporate Partnerships Manager Tom Schimpf. To learn more about the Utah Warriors’ partnerships options please contact Tom at [email protected] or 801-477-7652. To learn more about the Warriors XV program, please visit https://www.warriorsrugby.com/warriors-xv/ or call the Utah Warriors offices at 801-477-7652.

"These partners are vital to the mission of creating North America’s epicenter of rugby."

How Corporate Partners are fueling the growth of the Utah Warriors.#ForTheNation

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) August 17, 2022