Harlequins performance raising sponsor and fan concerns

Summarised from City AM's report · Updated 9 Oct, 05:13 · Archive

Harlequins are struggling on the pitch, raising questions about whether fans and sponsors will stick with the club.

Harlequins lost 48-0 to Gloucester last weekend, prompting questions about how long supporters and sponsors will remain committed to the London club. City AM reports that the poor performance could drive away season ticket holders and casual fans, as well as prompt sponsors to choose not to renew their deals.

The club's major sponsor, logistics firm DHL, is thought likely to continue its support, with the company's chief reportedly a supporter of Harlequins. However, DHL Express's head of global sponsorships told City AM earlier this year that the state of rugby in England is a 'concern', noting that 'we're seeing that the level of fan engagement seems to be slowly decreasing'. Smaller sponsors on year-long deals may require reassurance about the club's prospects.

Read the report

• Will on-pitch woes force Harlequins fans and sponsors away?Watching Harlequins at the moment is either absolutely soul-crushing or completely baffling, depending on whether you support the London club or not. Soul-crushing because the club is supposed to represent the very best of attacking rugby in a fusion of England internationals and overseas superstars. Baffling because it should never have got this bad, losing [...]City AM · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Harlequins · Gloucester · DHL · John Pearson · Allianz Stadium · The Stoop

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