Newcastle Eagles have parted company with main sponsor GiveToLocal prior to the end of an agreed two-year partnership with the Tyneside-based sport organisation.

British basketball’s most successful franchise will remove all GiveToLocal branding from the club’s playing kit, website, social media channels and sites across the Vertu Motors Arena with immediate effect.

Both the club’s BBL and WBBL teams are set to compete without a main shirt sponsor for the first time this season when Newcastle’s rosters return to homecourt action this weekend.

“We had hoped that GiveToLocal would commit to the level of support agreed but that hasn’t happened,” explained Newcastle Eagles’ managing director, Paul Blake.

“The loss of this expected income has, without doubt, limited our ability to manoeuvre this season.

“Our only option is to part company with GiveToLocal but there will be no impact on our exciting plans for the future.

“Indeed, the exposure we continue to enjoy on Sky Sports — alongside unrivalled TV, online and print coverage across regional and national media — means Newcastle Eagles, the BBL and the WBBL continue to offer prospective partners unique sponsorship, marketing and PR opportunities.”