WA may be next Souths sponsor
Elizabeth Gosch | May 03, 2008
THE cashed-up West Australian Government is preparing to sign a sponsorship deal worth up to $1.5million with the historically rich but now struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league club, taking some of the financial heat off co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court.
Under the deal, the state's Go West Now campaign would be the major sponsor on the Rabbitohs' away game jerseys, alternating with existing sponsor National Australia Bank.
While a value has not been put on the NAB sponsorship, Mr Holmes a Court has previously named $2.5million as the figure the club would like to raise through jersey sponsorship.
Club spokesman Christopher Green refused to confirm the deal but said Souths, which is one of the competition's founding clubs but sits bottom of the table this year, was in negotiations with six possible sponsors.
"We can't comment on sponsors other than ones that are signed, sealed and delivered. But I can confirm we are in negotiations with half a dozen companies and we deliberately haven't hurried with that as we are seeking a premium sponsor," Mr Green said.
However, Mr Green, who also works with Mr Holmes a Court's new sports investment vehicle The Passionate Group, was able to confirm that Souths were in serious negotiations to play two matches each season in Perth, starting next year.
Mr Holmes a Court, the son of legendary Perth businessman Robert Holmes a Court, flew to Perth early last month to discuss with officials the pros and cons of Souths playing some of its home games in Perth.
"We are talking with the Government about playing games over there. The discussion is about does it make sense to play over there? We've had proposals put to us by both the WACA and Members Equity," Mr Green said.
The South Sydney Football Club was well and truly in the doldrums with a negative balance sheet in the order of $1.5million when Mr Holmes a Court and Mr Crowe bought 75per cent of the ailing club for $3million in 2006.
Souths hold the record for the most premierships - 20 - but the last time they won the premiership was in 1971. More recently, they've claimed the wooden spoon three times - in 2003, 2004 and 2006 - and this year are yet to record a win.
Mr Green said there was a huge market for the Rabbitohs and for rugby league in the west due to the influx of east coasters chasing the big money available in the state's resources sector.
The Australian Rugby League launched a team in Perth - called the Western Reds - in 1995 but poor performances, small crowds and the Super League battle saw it closed down in 1997.
Elizabeth Gosch | May 03, 2008
THE cashed-up West Australian Government is preparing to sign a sponsorship deal worth up to $1.5million with the historically rich but now struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league club, taking some of the financial heat off co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court.
Under the deal, the state's Go West Now campaign would be the major sponsor on the Rabbitohs' away game jerseys, alternating with existing sponsor National Australia Bank.
While a value has not been put on the NAB sponsorship, Mr Holmes a Court has previously named $2.5million as the figure the club would like to raise through jersey sponsorship.
Club spokesman Christopher Green refused to confirm the deal but said Souths, which is one of the competition's founding clubs but sits bottom of the table this year, was in negotiations with six possible sponsors.
"We can't comment on sponsors other than ones that are signed, sealed and delivered. But I can confirm we are in negotiations with half a dozen companies and we deliberately haven't hurried with that as we are seeking a premium sponsor," Mr Green said.
However, Mr Green, who also works with Mr Holmes a Court's new sports investment vehicle The Passionate Group, was able to confirm that Souths were in serious negotiations to play two matches each season in Perth, starting next year.
Mr Holmes a Court, the son of legendary Perth businessman Robert Holmes a Court, flew to Perth early last month to discuss with officials the pros and cons of Souths playing some of its home games in Perth.
"We are talking with the Government about playing games over there. The discussion is about does it make sense to play over there? We've had proposals put to us by both the WACA and Members Equity," Mr Green said.
The South Sydney Football Club was well and truly in the doldrums with a negative balance sheet in the order of $1.5million when Mr Holmes a Court and Mr Crowe bought 75per cent of the ailing club for $3million in 2006.
Souths hold the record for the most premierships - 20 - but the last time they won the premiership was in 1971. More recently, they've claimed the wooden spoon three times - in 2003, 2004 and 2006 - and this year are yet to record a win.
Mr Green said there was a huge market for the Rabbitohs and for rugby league in the west due to the influx of east coasters chasing the big money available in the state's resources sector.
The Australian Rugby League launched a team in Perth - called the Western Reds - in 1995 but poor performances, small crowds and the Super League battle saw it closed down in 1997.
