Equinor Withdraws Sponsorship: A Setback for the Norwegian Ski Federation

Equinor, a key sponsor, has announced that it will end its sponsorship of both cross-country skiing and football following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. This development exacerbates the ongoing crisis for the Norwegian Ski Federation, which is already facing significant financial challenges. The departure of Equinor comes on the heels of another major sponsor, Sparebank1, revealing plans to pull its support from cross-country skiing after the current season.

Sport commentator Birger Løfaldli noted that the timing of this news is particularly unfortunate for the Ski Federation, especially in light of the recent resignation of General Secretary Arne Baumann amid an already difficult financial landscape.

Equinor’s decision signifies a shift in its sponsorship strategy, as it moves away from supporting national sports in favor of local community initiatives. This new focus emphasizes investments in education and technological projects.