AIG may become a sponsor of New Zealand rugby union team the All Blacks, according to reports in the New Zealand media.

Jed Thian, operator of the Alternative Rugby Commentary website, told Radio New Zealand that AIG executives told him at a fundraiser they had signed a deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).

The AIG logo would be printed on the front of the playing jersey as well as the shirt sleeve and shorts, he said.

The NZRU says it is in discussions with several potential sponsors.

AIG-owned Chartis Australia declined to comment “on the specifics of any potential sponsorship opportunities”.

“The AIG name is well respected all over the world,” a spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The AIG logo featured on the front of Manchester United’s shirts from 2006-10. It was replaced by Aon.

The Chartis name will be dropped in September and the company will return to the AIG brand.

AIG’s general insurance business was rebranded Chartis because of concerns the name had become tainted after the group’s near-collapse in the global financial crisis.