There are many pointless sponsorship deals announced in the sporting world, but today comes news of the world’s first-ever sponsorship of a 0-0 scoreline.
Warner’s, the super-premium farm-born gin and official partner of Northampton Saints, has announced it is sponsoring the 0-0 scoreline in January with the Gallagher Premiership Rugby side.
While other sponsors demand high scores in record time, fans and social media followers have a chance to benefit from the scoreline limbo, as Saints stars such as England’s Courtney Lawes and Welsh fly-half Dan Biggar fight to take the lead.
The move comes to show support for the estimated 6.5 million Brits who are expected to give up alcohol this January*, but who may be lacking inspiration or motivation in challenging circumstances.
The sponsorship will come to life in real-time on matchdays when the Saints are playing at home in January, starting with the Gallagher Premiership clash with Saracens on 2nd January.
Rugby fans, sober gin aficionados and NoLo consumers watching from home will have the chance to win a complimentary bottle of Warner’s 0% during the clash on 2nd January and again at Saints’ European fixture on 16th January, simply by heading over to @warnersgin Instagram profile and correctly guessing how long the score will remain at 0-0.
There will also be complimentary tastings of the 0% spirit from the Warner’s bar on the concourse at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for those at the game on 16th who have held on to their sober pledge!
Dan Biggar of Northampton Saints and Wales said: “Being the first sports side in the world sponsored for having a 0-0 scoreline is definitely unusual but supporting those going dry this January is something we can all get behind.
As any rugby fan will tell you, there’s still plenty of drama and excitement in a big match in the lead up to any points being scored.
As always, we’ll be trying to finish the match with a lot of points on the board, but while we do the hard work and tee up scoring opportunities, we hope our supporters enjoy Warner’s 0% offer while it lasts.”
Warner’s will also be sponsoring 15 brave Saints fans who plan to go dry this January by kitting them out with everything they could possibly need to make it a success.
Tom Warner, the founder of Warner’s gin, said: “We do things differently at Warner’s, whether it’s how we make our gin to how we do our sports sponsorships.
Even at 0% our farm-born spirits, namely Juniper Double Dry and Pink Berry, are jam-packed full of flavour, just as a 0-0 scoreline can still be jam-packed full of action.
“Having a few drinks is part of the matchday ritual for many rugby fans. For those who have decided to go dry this January, it can be tough, especially when you go out socialising and the most exciting thing you can find to drink is a pint of squash!
It could be tempting to fall at the first hurdle on January 2. Our 0-0 partnership with Northampton Saints has been created to show that you can still have a real, great-tasting grown-up drink, not break any new year’s resolutions and have fun with your mates, whatever the score. Cheers!”
Warner’s 0% Botanic Garden Spirits are available in two flavours – Juniper Double Dry and Pink Berry. The Juniper Double Dry is crafted using real farm-grown ingredients: lemon thyme, lemon verbena and water drawn from the spring at Warner’s farm.
The gin has a spicy base, herbal hit, citrus edge and peppery finish, giving it the recognisable kick of a top-shelf tipple.
Warner’s 0% Pink Berry is leading the way as a delicious non-alcoholic alternative to a fruity or pink gin: fragrant & tangy, combining raspberries and blackcurrant sage with a kick from chilli, ginger and Szechuan pepper. Both flavours are 0% ABV and suitable for vegans.
For further information please visit www.warnersdistillery.com/pages/sponsoring-0-0.