Kingsmen, Gayle toast Rich Rum deal

While their players prepare to bowl off the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season in St Vincent on Friday, Jamaica Kingsmen executives have continued to strengthen the organisation off the field, signing a blockbuster two-year partnership with Triple Gold Rums Limited and its flagship brand, Rich Rum, the premium spirits label co-founded by West Indies cricket great Chris Gayle.

The agreement, which runs through the 2026 and 2027 CPL seasons, names Rich Rum the exclusive rum supplier for all Kingsmen home matches at Sabina Park.

The partnership begins with four home games between August 11 and 18, marking the return of CPL cricket to Kingston for the first time since 2019.

Beyond the bar, the brand will be integrated into match-day festivities and promotional activations, promising a spectacle that blends Caribbean cricket with the unmistakable flair of the ‘Universe Boss’, who was not in attendance at the press conference because of illness.

For Atishai Mansingh, the Jamaica Kingsmen’s head of operations, the alliance is about more than a logo on a scoreboard; it is a homecoming for Jamaican excellence.

Mixing fun with cricket

“This is the biggest party in sport, and Rich Rum is now part of it,” Mansingh declared. “The man who created that party atmosphere, Chris Gayle, is now bringing his own brand to the Kingsmen and to Jamaica. He’s the definition of mixing fun with cricket. Having his name attached to something so major, coming back to Jamaica, is a massive step in the right direction.”

Mansingh emphasised the franchise’s commitment to its local roots, pointing to a growing roster of Jamaican partners.

“We are a Jamaican team, and there’s no better way to push that than using local products. Alongside Legend Beer, Coca-Cola, and local water brands, Rich Rum is curating real financial benefits for our people. This isn’t about international ownership – it’s about Jamaican pride.”

Ian MacDonald, international beverage consultant and incoming CEO of Triple Gold Rums Limited, hailed the partnership as a priceless opportunity for the fledgling brand, which officially launched four weeks ago.

“Having Chris’s name on the bottle means everything. He’s an icon, so it’s a natural fit,” MacDonald said.

“But from a business standpoint, we’re still in our infancy. To have a vehicle like the Jamaica Kingsmen and Sabina Park for people to trial our rum is invaluable. Add the global exposure from CPL broadcasts, and it’s a perfect match. Chris is passionate about cricket; this is the house that made him. Seeing fans drink his rum at Sabina will be a magical moment for him.”

Gayle, a two-time T20 World Cup champion who led Jamaica to two CPL titles in five seasons as captain, now sees the deal as a personal mission to help restore the franchise’s glory days.

“I am very proud to support Jamaican cricket at Sabina Park through this partnership,” Gayle said in a statement. “Sabina Park has a rich history and holds so many fond memories for me. I can’t wait to return, enjoy our great-tasting, single-estate, triple-distilled, 100 per cent Jamaican Rich Rum, and cheer on the Kingsmen in their quest for another CPL championship.”

The Kingsmen’s commercial portfolio continues to grow ahead of the 2026 campaign, with Rich Rum joining a formidable line-up of partners supporting the franchise’s vision of world-class cricket and entertainment.

Kingston fans will get their first live taste of the action when the Kingsmen host the Barbados Tridents on August 11, followed by matches against the Guyana Amazon Warriors on August 13, the Trinbago Knight Riders on August 15, and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on August 18.