PNG Chiefs land record NRL sponsorship deal with BSP

PNG’s new NRL franchise, the PNG Chiefs, has secured what has been described as the largest club sponsorship in NRL history, with BSP Financial Group signing on as the club’s Principal Foundation Partner through to at least the end of the 2030 NRL season.

The landmark agreement gives BSP immediate involvement with the Chiefs ahead of their entry into the NRL Telstra Premiership in 2028, covering the club’s foundation period and the preparation year before its inaugural season.

The partnership was formally announced at Santos Stadium in Port Moresby by PNG Chiefs chief executive officer Lorna McPherson, BSP chairman Robert Bradshaw and BSP Group chief executive officer Mark Robinson.

Under the agreement, BSP’s well-known branding will take pride of place on the front of the PNG Chiefs jersey. The bank will also have its logo displayed prominently on major training and merchandise apparel.

The deal extends beyond jersey branding, with BSP to support the Chiefs’ fan engagement activities, signage, hospitality, executive access, academy and player pathway programs, community initiatives and match-day activations.

BSP will also serve as the club’s official banking and financial services partner, while taking on the role of official Membership Partner as the Chiefs build their supporter base across PNG.

Ms McPherson said the long-term commitment from BSP represented an important moment for both the club and the country.

“This is a landmark partnership for the PNG Chiefs and Papua New Guinea and, as a club, we couldn’t be prouder to welcome BSP on board,” she said.

“BSP is an organisation that is part of the fabric of our country and community and recognises the scale of opportunity that exists with the PNG Chiefs.

“To have this level of commitment to our Club – including this period leading into our first game in 2028 – shows BSP’s belief in what we are building, and the way we will create opportunities for Papua New Guineans for generations to come.

“Having BSP on the front of our jersey and involved in so many other parts of the Club shows that the significance of the PNG Chiefs goes beyond commercial value. On behalf of everyone at the PNG Chiefs, I’d like to officially welcome BSP Chairman Robert Bradshaw, BSP Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Robinson and the entire organisation to our PNG Chiefs family.”

BSP chairman Robert Bradshaw said the bank was proud to support the country's first NRL team through the historic agreement.

“BSP is incredibly proud to play a leadership role in supporting the PNG Chiefs through this historic partnership. It is highly symbolic that BSP, a PNG-headquartered and majority PNG-owned company, is backing the nation’s NRL team.

“Rugby league unites Papua New Guinea like nothing else. We want to be an active part of the PNG Chiefs’ nation-building project in PNG and in raising the visibility of Rugby League across the South Pacific.

“In joining the PNG Chiefs’ family, I acknowledge the PNG Government led by Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, the Australian Government, Peter V’Landys and the entire NRL, and the PNG Chiefs led by Catherine Harris and Lorna McPherson for their vision in bringing this exciting project to life.”

BSP Group CEO Mark Robinson said the bank wanted its involvement to extend well beyond conventional sponsorship.

“Our aim is to be more than a sponsor for the PNG Chiefs. This is a partnership with purpose.

“This agreement sees BSP become a partner on match day, a partner in engaging the new army of Chiefs fans and an active partner in the community. This includes working with the Chiefs to lift financial literacy throughout PNG.”