Tigers punt on AFL approving Sportsbet deal
Rod Nicholson | December 21, 2008
RICHMOND this week will front the AFL seeking approval of a multi-million-dollar three-year sponsorship deal with bookmaking firm Sportsbet.
But the Tigers, fresh from signing Ben Cousins and enjoying an unprecedented pre-season membership boost and merchandising feast, must convince the AFL to overlook a protected sponsor, Tabcorp, whose contract ends at the end of next season.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the Sportsbet deal could bring $2.4 million into Richmond's coffers, plus a few bonuses, including $100,000 if the club makes the finals.
In final negotiations late last week, Sportsbet added to the Cousins mania by offering to give the club $10,000 for every Brownlow Medal vote he earned next season.
Richmond president Gary March said his club was keen to add a major sponsor to join Dick Smith.
Nissan returned as a secondary sponsor this week.
March said the club had been approached by two bookmaking firms, and it is understood the club's acceptance of Sportsbet included the sponsor's name being on the back of the club jumper.
The AFL's three-year deal with Tabcorp and Betfair expires at the end of next season.
It is understood Betfair has no objection to a corporate bookmaker sponsoring a club.
March said he would urge the AFL to look favourably on the prospective deal.
"The AFL, which is most frustrating to us, don't disclose contractual details to the clubs," he said.
"It is frustrating to us that, in such difficult financial times, we can come to terms with new sponsors and then potentially hit a brick wall with the AFL.
"At a time when companies are pulling out of sports sponsorship, the corporate bookmakers have arrived with money now that deregulation has allowed them to advertise and sponsor in Victoria.
"We need to take advantage of this new pool of funds. We are not privy to the AFL's contract content agreement with Tabcorp. But it has a year to run. We are looking for a three-year deal with another betting outlet, which is the biggest corporate bookmaker in Australia.
"We don't want to have to wait for 12 months. Why should we?"
Sportsbet chief executive Matt Tripp confirmed his Northern Territory bookmaking business had been in negotiations with the Tigers.
"We recently were sponsors of the Australian Masters golf at Huntingdale, and we flagged our intention to sponsor football and promote sport in the Sunday Herald Sun last month," Tripp said.
"We will get heavily into country footy this season. And, yes, we hope to sponsor Richmond, but that must be cleared by the AFL.
"Regardless of the AFL's attitude to this issue, we will fulfil our promise to give the AFL 5 per cent of our gross profit on AFL betting next season, and we will open our books to them for any investigations they desire.
"We are committed to giving football a boost, at AFL and country level, and we only hope it will be this year with the Tigers."
The AFL could not be contacted yesterday, but is unlikely to consider a request by Richmond until after the Christmas break.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24828534-19742,00.html
