Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada has expanded its long-standing partnership with the Toronto Raptors.
Together they will launch a program to support diabetes awareness and prevention. In addition, from the start of the 2017-18 season, the Raptors will wear a Sun Life patch on their jerseys – the first jersey patch partnership in the team’s history.
"We're thrilled to announce this new, first of its kind partnership with the Raptors and MLSE," said Sun Life Financial senior vice-president and chief marketing officer Lisa Ritchie. "These are great brands coming together, connecting with fans of the game and encouraging Canadians from coast to coast to live a healthy and active lifestyle. I look forward to the 2017-18 Raptors season when we officially launch this exciting program in support of diabetes and wellness."
The Sun Life patch will appear on the front left shoulder of the Raptors’ game jerseys starting next season. As part of a three-year NBA pilot program, jersey sponsorships will be introduced league-wide beginning next season.
"This is an exciting time in Raptors' history and we're thrilled to share it with Sun Life, an iconic Canadian brand who has been a trusted partner of ours over the past seven years," Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) chief commercial officer David Hopkinson said. "This partnership, while breaking new ground, puts an important issue affecting our community first and represents an initiative that we can all take great pride in."
Both Sun Life and the Raptors will announce full details about the diabetes programming and officially unveil the new team jersey featuring the insurer’s logo this fall.
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