The new two-year deal with Wizard Home Loans will also see AFL umpires wearing predominantly orange throughout the 2004 home and away season.
Wizard Executive chairman Mark Bouris said the new venture to sponsor the umpires during next season’s home and away season was made after a successful trial during this year’s Wizard Home Loans Cup.
Said Bouris: "Last year we read the Game Development Report and found that a big part of the umpire’s negative image was due to their white uniform, so we've solved that with an orange umpire's uniform."
Added AFL football operations manager Andrew Demetriou: "We were thrilled by the response from supporters last year, with increased attendances and TV ratings, and we believe that the new rules and colours added to the excitement."
The AFL has extended its sponsorship deal of pre-season tournament the Wizard Home Loans Cup.
