Toyo Tires will return as the official tire of the UFC for 2011. The Cypress, California company will be featured on octagon ring posts in six PPVs as well as Saturday night’s Fight for the Troops. The Toyo Tires logo will also be on the mat for select Fight Nights.
From the UFC press release:
“Toyo Tires is proud to once again be the Official Tire of UFC,” said Stan Chen, manager of events and motorsports, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “UFC continues to grow, as does their dedicated fan base. This renewed sponsorship places the Toyo Tires name in front of those loyal fans, across North America and the world.”
Toyo Tires was a UFC sponsor from 2006-2008.
Payout Perspective:
Similar to the Safe Auto sponsorship, Toyo Tires will sponsor the UFC for 2011 in the ring for Fight Nights and PPVs. It will try to capitalize on the UFC demographic for the sales of its aftermarket tires. Its interesting to see that mainstream products are considering spending sponsorship dollars on the UFC. It is a smart move considering the younger UFC demographic need/want affordable car insurance but will spend money on nice, sleek tires on their car.
When speaking with Safe Auto, the company indicated that they were an official sponsor of the UFC, but it was not officially designated as the “official insurance” of the UFC. In the UFC press release, it was clear that Toyo Tires was the “official tire” of the UFC. I wonder if “official tire” was bestowed on Toyo Tires since it is a returning sponsor or a premium was paid for the status.
One might recall Toyo Tires had a PR nightmare a couple years ago when Rampage Jackson went on a vehicular rampage in a truck adorned with the Toyo Tires‘ name (h/t Cagewriter).
Well that helps explain why the UFC was so gung ho to get down there and clean up Jacksons legal problems.