Yorkshire Cricket Club have announced 'Clean Slate' as the new sponsor of Headingley. The company is an India-based global streaming platform and has broken new ground as the first business from the country with significant naming rights at a UK sporting venue.
Clean Slate will feature on the shirts of the Yorkshire cricket team and will also appear on the jerseys of the women's regional team - the Northern Diamonds. "This new partnership - with a vibrant Indian brand that knows how to entertain diverse communities - is an exciting step for Yorkshire," club chairman Lord Patel said.
"Our proud club has a great future, welcoming everyone into our ground and this game, and our new partners are champions of inclusivity, diversity, and equity." This appears to mark the first step towards a new and improved era at the club following the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.
A Yorkshire investigation concluded that Rafiq was a victim of "racial harassment and bullying". Structural changes have since been implemented, which have now been approved.
Yorkshire were banned from hosting international matches at Headingley, but having met criteria set out by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), they are eligible to stage international games once again. The stadium will host two England matches later this summer, a Test match against New Zealand in June and an ODI clash with South Africa in July.
"We thank the members for their full and proper consideration," said Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel. "This support will help Yorkshire County Cricket Club to be an inclusive and welcoming place and gives us the clarity and certainty we need to keep building this great club."
In a statement, Yorkshire said: "The Members of Yorkshire County Cricket Club tonight overwhelmingly passed three special resolutions at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in the Long Room at Headingley. The club can now continue to drive the right approach through essential governance reforms and meets conditions set by the England & Wales Cricket Board for the return of International and major matches at their ground."
Former spinner Rafiq said on social media: "Relieved to see Lord Patel's reforms backed today and that Yorkshire members chose a bright, inclusive future for my club. Big opportunity to show the world what can be achieved when you have strong leadership and good people."
