Rich Energy back in the headlines in fresh sponsorship saga

Rich Energy are making new headlines in the motorsport world, due to a bizarre situation unfolding in the British Superbikes championship.

Three years on from the sponsorship furore between Rich Energy and the Haas F1 team, which resulted in an unusually public ‘back and forth’ between Rich Energy CEO William Storey and the Haas team, the controversial energy drink company is making waves in the motorsport world once again.

However, as before, it’s not for all the right reasons, as the situation regards another ‘are they or aren’t they?’ sponsorship arrangement between Rich Energy and a racing team.

In British Superbikes, the OMG Racing Yamaha team have carried Rich Energy sponsorship and their familiar black and gold livery since early 2020.

Earlier this week, the Rich Energy Twitter account (which is unverified, but is apparently controlled by Storey) tweeted to say that the sponsorship arrangement between their company and the OMG Racing team is at an end.

“Rich Energy would like to thank @OMGRacingUK for their work in the last 2 years but the whole agreement is now at an end. Rich Energy is expanding its portfolio in many spheres including sport.”

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: Rich Energy would like to thank @OMGRacingUK for their work in the last 2 years but the whole agreement is now at an end. Rich Energy is expanding its portfolio in many spheres including sport. Rich Energy is now available directly at https://t.co/jYCeOPlg8A pic.twitter.com/83Ak4wP8oc

— Rich Energy HQ (@rich_energy) July 17, 2022

However, this announcement from Rich Energy seems to be beyond the remit of Storey’s control, with OMG Racing issuing a statement on Wednesday evening clarifying that the sponsorship of the BSB team isn’t directly with the drinks company.

“Following certain social media posts, press interviews, and publications over the last few days, the Rich Energy OMG Racing team would like to make a statement of facts regarding the sponsorship of the team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB),” read the statement.

“Rich Energy OMG Racing is not, and has never been, sponsored by William Storey.

“Rich Energy OMG Racing is not, and has never been, sponsored by the Rich Energy brand owners.

“Rich Energy OMG Racing is sponsored by RichOMG Limited, the global sales and distribution rights holder for the drinks, Rich Energy (classic) and Rich Energy Sugar-Free.

“This sponsorship agreement was established in March 2020 ahead of…