Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

nike

Maybe sky decided they were a bit too pricey?

I am genuinely interested to know why it didnt work out.

Is it because Rapha as a brand has such a strong personality that it can't be collaborated with unless the other brand is slightly weak or something.

Or was it logistics?

Adidas released a lot of new kit last year, and can presumably afford it. Maybe they fancy upgrading from The 5th Floor.

I suppose no one knows but why would they part ways like this? Is it simply becasue another sponsor could provide way more money e.g. Adidas or is is as pjay suggests it harms the brand?

I don't think there's any reason to suggest they're leaving on anything other than good terms. Rapha's profits were down again this year despite growth in turnover, Sky too expensive for them?

Doubt it - the operating expenses of Team Sky is a drop in the ocean of Sky's marketing budget

oops, meant Rapha

I can't believe I'm posting, but strategy and ubiquity.

Wapha's growth has to come at the high end; and in their shops, where they control their own image. This it the 'Gucci/Hermes/Ray Ban' approach to their product. No matter that Sky might become the most successful team ever, that isn't consistent with their approach.

Of course, maybe they just didn't get enough sales of the product to justify the financial elements of the deal. That could be simpler.

ah, yes - quite likely then I could imagine.
I would think Team Sky are probably quite "demanding" and I guess that they will move their focus to the Wiggins team ?

or is is as pjay suggests it harms the brand?

There was a question in the last survey asking who should Rapha sponsor if they weren't sponsoring Sky. I answered Quickstep, you heard it here first.

Yeah sounds logical. Probably get 80% of the valuable exposure for 20% of the cost.

Dimension data

I've heard that Rapha are going to be the kit sponsor for Manchester United.

Pukes on cock.

Fucking hell. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED UNDER LORD FERG.

After reflection and discussion, both Rapha and Team Sky have decided not to renew our Partnership beyond the current four-year deal, which concludes at the end of the 2016 season.

thank god.

That's his security bmw isn't it?

From 2017 we will continue to support racing in many ways, especially locally, but we will also focus on new geographies, partnerships and categories.

This was the most exciting thing in the letter for me.

Back to a rapha-condor type of team?
Can team wiggins become this?

They need a team of riders, racing at a high level. Otherwise the marketing blur would read...

'this winter jacket was developed in cooperation with Douglas, who commutes really quite far, and only takes the bus if it's really very cold, or he's going to his mums for dinner after work.........

'this winter jacket was developed in cooperation with Douglas, who commutes really quite far, and only takes the bus if it's really very cold, or he's going to his mums for dinner after work.........

Would like to read more like these.

I've heard that Rapha are going to be the kit sponsor for Manchester United.

AIG will be making the shirts.

I'd imagine that they've got what they want from it - some pro tour credibility and 'performance'/pedigree. A shift from previous lifestyle/luxury brand image, and other stuff like increased exposure. They'll take that money and put it into something else, or just maximise profits.

Funny letter though. Bit of PR hairstroking.

Considering the title sponsor buy-in is about ~10 million a year, you could probably have Team Rapha Quickstep. Pro Team Mapei kit would be super rowdy.