CFI Financial Group has entered into an associate partnership agreement with MI Cape Town cricket team as its Official Online Trading Partner, the company announced today (Wednesday).
CFI Becomes MI Cape Town's Official Trading Partner
The financial terms were not disclosed, but the agreement includes jersey placement of CFI's logo on the right chest position, stadium branding, and fan engagement activities including player meet-and-greet events.
The partnership comes as CFI reported exceeding $1 trillion in trading volumes and expanded operations into South Africa. The agreement gives CFI access to cricket's global viewer base through one of the sport's prominent teams.
“Following the launch of our South African operations, this collaboration strengthens our presence while aligning us with a global cricket brand,” said Hisham Mansour, Co-Founder and Managing Director at CFI, in a statement. “MI Cape Town’s popularity extends beyond South Africa, offering valuable visibility to fans both locally and globally.”
While football is the most popular sport among fans and brokers looking for sponsorship opportunities, cricket places itself in the second spot. For comparison, the worldwide football fan base is estimated to 3.5 billion, while cricket has 2.5 billion supporters.
MI Cape Town operates as part of MI Global's network of five T20 teams across three continents. The team's current roster features international players including Kagiso Rabada, Ben Stokes, and Rashid Khan.
CFI 🤝 MI CAPE TOWN
— CFI Group English (@cfigroup_en) December 16, 2024
CFI Financial Group is proud to become the Official Online Trading Partner of MI Cape Town! 🏏✨
This partnership brings together CFI’s global expertise and MI Cape Town’s star power, further solidifying our presence in South Africa and beyond, and… pic.twitter.com/kV2ZxVp1yK
CFI Bets on Sports
The agreement builds on CFI's existing sports partnerships, which include relationships with AC Milan football club and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. The online trading firm maintains regulated entities across multiple jurisdictions including London, Dubai, Cape Town, and other major financial centers.
MI Cape Town competes in South Africa's T20 cricket league, with matches played at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. The team is part of MI Global's franchise network, which includes teams in India, UAE, and the United States.
“Cricket’s unparalleled reach and MI Cape Town’s status as a global brand allow us to amplify our visibility not just to fans in South Africa but also in influential markets like the UAE and beyond,” said Ziad Melhem, Chief Marketing Officer at CFI. “By engaging with a passionate fanbase, we aim to enhance brand awareness and reaffirm our commitment to superior trading experiences globally.”
The partnership takes effect immediately, with branding and activation programs to begin during the current cricket season.