New England Patriots football team sues Bacardi

American football club the New England Patriots has accused Bacardi of breaching a multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal in a new lawsuit.

The New England Patriots is suing rum producer Bacardi for alleged breach of contract

According to the Boston Globe, the football team launched a lawsuit against Bacardi – the world’s largest rum brand – for alleged breach of contract last week after the group walked out on what it claims was a 10-year exclusive sponsorship deal worth millions of dollars.

The agreement included plans for a 20,000-square-foot pavilion, to be called Casa Bacardi, on the grounds of Gillette Stadium.

In a lawsuit submitted to Suffolk Superior Court, the football club accused Bacardi of negotiating in “bad faith”, adding that after the group dropped out of the deal, it no longer had time to secure another drinks sponsor.

Patricia M. Neal, a spokesperson for Bermuda-based Bacardi, said: “We firmly disagree with the claims in the complaint and will vigorously defend our company’s position.”

Plans for Casa Bacardi depicted a two-story structure including a commercial kitchen, seating for 500 people and three bars.

The Patriots claim that Bacardi were involved in various redesigns of the structure. The club also said it had not secured further drinks sponsorships under the terms of its agreement with Bacardi.

According to court documents, Bacardi notified the Patriots that it planned to walk away from the deal on 15 April, days after the drinks group’s CEO Ed Shirley announced his retirement.

The Boston Globe reports that while no official contract was signed, the Patriots believed one to be “imminent” following a meeting between executives at the two organisations in February.