Bulldogs dealt blow in sponsors stoush
Brad Walter and Glenn Jackson | April 17, 2009
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhq...sponsors-stoush/2009/04/16/1239475001065.html
The Bulldogs' hopes of convincing the NRL to allow its $2 million sponsorship deal with Strathfield Group have been dealt a major blow following revelations a rival club recently had a proposed deal with the company rejected.
As Bulldogs officials last night prepared to email what they believe is a solution to the stand-off over exclusivity rights held by Telstra, the
Herald learnt that a $300,000 per season sleeve sponsorship deal with Strathfield Group was knocked back when another club approached the NRL for approval.
Telstra, which pays about $12 million a season for naming rights to the premiership, specifically listed Strathfield Group's previous incarnation - Strathfield Car Radio - as a company it considered a competitor and therefore not allowed as a sponsor of the game when it re-signed as the NRL's major backer in 2007.
However, the Bulldogs argue Strathfield Group's core business is not telecommunications and therefore the three-year deal should proceed.
"If this was 12 months ago, we would have just put a line straight through it but the Bulldogs want to state their case," NRL marketing manager Paul Kind said.
The Bulldogs will also learn today whether they have been granted leave to appeal against the NRL's decision to dock them two points for having 14 players on the field when Ben Roberts scored the match-winning try against Penrith in round two.
Elsewhere, Timana Tahu dismissed as "crap" reports a representative of his had approached the Sydney Roosters about an NRL return. "I'm not going over to league," Tahu said. "I've two years still on my [ARU] contract. I'm happy where I am."
The Roosters yesterday parted ways with long-time official Richard Fisk, who is said to be a victim of restructuring at the club, even though his departure was sudden. Fisk was the club's general manager of marketing and media, but leaves after 11 years in the front office. Fisk has always been a right-hand man of influential chairman Nick Politis, and in a statement the club boss extended his thanks to Fisk "for his service and contribution to the Sydney Roosters and wished him the very best for the future".
And Australian coach Tim Sheens has warned there are no selection guarantees for the May 8 Test against New Zealand in Brisbane as he ponders his first Kangaroos side.
"It just comes down to what happens in three weeks' time," Sheens said. "There is a lot of football to be played yet before you start putting people into who will and won't play in that."
While he admitted his own Tigers side's form - or lack thereof - would harm the prospects of some players of making the representative scene this year, Sheens still felt hooker Robbie Farah had done enough for NSW selection despite impressive claims from Bulldogs rake Michael Ennis.
"I wouldn't swap Robbie Farah for any hooker in the game. I can't say any more than that," he said. "I think it's healthy for Rob to know he can't just expect something and is going to have to work hard for it, [but] after a tough pre-season for Robbie, in particular, I think he is showing a lot of courage and a lot of improvement in his game.
"The fact there is two hookers, half a dozen halfbacks and a dozen second-rowers all vying for spots is probably the health of the game."
