Yorkshire rebrands Headingley to 'Clean Slate Headingley' as part of two-year-deal with an Indian sponsor

In the latest development, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club has signed a two-year deal with an Indian firm, 'Clean Slate Studio'. 

The firm will take over as the principal sponsor of Headingley. It will be rebranded as 'Clean Slate Headingley' as the County attempts to revamp their image following a whole host of racism allegations levied against its organisation in the recent past by former cricketer Azeem Rafiq.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the development, Rafiq said he was delighted and that the timing of rebranding is perfect.

He further claimed that the new name will smile people's faces.

He said, "I just laughed, the timing, everything - I just thought it fitted perfectly. It is a clean slate... the name is one thing, but it is everything else from now on that happens that is important,"

"There's a lot of good primary schools around Headingley and a big, diverse community. I want them to be able to walk past Headingley and look at Headingley and think this is my club."

Following the allegations, the ECB had banned Yorkshire from hosting international matches, but the suspension was soon lifted after the County members overwhelmingly voted in favour of structural changes at the club as mandated by the England board.

New Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel and new managing director and former cricketer Darren Gough are currently in Mumbai to sign the deal with the Clean Slate Founder.

Lord Patel said, With a vibrant Indian brand that knows how to entertain diverse communities, this new partnership is an exciting step for Yorkshire. Our proud club has a great future, welcoming everyone into our ground and this game."

Yorkshire demonstrated that they have made significant changes to their system. Hence, they are eligible to host a Test Match against New Zealand in June and a one-day international against the visiting South Africans in July.