Clean Slate for Yorkshire as new principal sponsor announced

The club suffered an exodus of sponsors, including ground sponsors Emerald, in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq scandal

Yorkshire are heading into the 2022 season with a Clean Slate after securing a new principal sponsor for the club.

Clean Slate Studioz is an Indian-based global streaming platform and founder Karnesh Ssharma believes the company's vision of "diversity and inclusivity" aligns with that of Yorkshire moving forward.

Yorkshire suffered an exodus of sponsors in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq scandal as companies looked to distance themselves from the allegations of institutional racism. Emerald, Tetley’s, Yorkshire Tea, and David Lloyd Clubs were among those to cut ties with the the club. 

Clean Slate – the irony of the name unlikely to be lost on anyone – will adorn the pavilion, now known as the Clean Slate Pavilion, while the company's branding will also appear on the East Stand and the kits for Northern Diamonds.

^{Emerald were one of the companies to distance themselves from Yorkshire [Oli Scarff/Getty Images]}

Lord Kamlesh Patel, Yorkshire's chairman, said: "This new partnership – with a vibrant Indian brand that knows how to entertain diverse communities – is an exciting step for Yorkshire. 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.

"We are excited to have this new and ground-breaking partnership and to see the commitment to the women’s game. As this relationship develops, it will bring further opportunities to our members, our communities and our teams and we are excited and energised by having Clean Slate alongside us."

Ssharma added: "We're incredibly proud to partner with Yorkshire and to be the first Indian company to have their name prominently featured within a UK sports ground. Clean Slate puts inclusivity and diversity at the fore of its entertainment roster, and we truly believe that our entertainment vision and values align with that of Yorkshire CCC moving forward.

"Our ambition is to help make the Headingley venue a beacon for equality and inclusivity in Yorkshire and the sport in general. We are looking forward to a great partnership with the club."