NZRL loses its shirt as company goes bust
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/4841409a6656.html
The cash-strapped New Zealand Rugby League is set to lose the shirt off its back.
The company that makes the World Cup winner's jersey is reported to have gone into administration.
Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper is today reporting the Australian division of International Sports Clothing which also supplies the Air New Zealand Cup's Manawatu and Bay of Plenty unions, six NRL clubs, Australian Super 14 franchises and two AFL teams has been placed in administration.
"They (ISC) are going into administration," NRL marketing manager Paul Kind said.
"From our perspective, we're not out of pocket at this point.
"The deal with ISC is that clubs hold independent agreements for their kit supply and we have one licence with them on supporter apparel, which we're working on now. It's a question for the clubs who have an independent agreement (with ISC).
"We're sitting down with ISC on February 11th (Wednesday).
"They're coming in so we can sit down and talk about where it's all up to."
The NRL clubs linked to ISC Australia include Cronulla, Penrith, Canberra, South Sydney, Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters.
The NZRL unaware of the company's demise until contacted by Sunday News was last night scrambling for information about the status of the ISC.
Its relationship with ISC is a complex one and if the sports clothing company has folded the financial ramifications for league in New Zealand are unclear.
It is understood ISC provides the NZRL with a certain amount of free merchandise, while any extra merchandise above the specified amount is paid for.
The NZRL also makes money via a licencing arrangement with ISC from every officially licenced product sold.
"I can't really comment too much on the situation at this point in time," NZRL general manager Peter Cordtz said.
"What we have found is that a very complex situation has developed.
"This is considerably more complex than just a straightforward receivership situation.
"We are working through what the implications and downside if any will be for the NZRL.
"We are trying to get our heads around that now.
"We really don't know the full story or what the implications might be yet."
Bay of Plenty rugby boss Jeremy Curragh said his union had been aware of the problems facing the Australian arm of ISC for a while.
He has been involved in talks with a new New Zealand division of the UK company about supplying the Steamers' gear for 2009. It is completing with two other companies to win the BOP contract.
Manawatu's CEO John Knowles confirmed his union is now looking for a new jersey supplier.
