Parramatta are ready to take a leaf out of arch-rival Canterbury’s book and start the season with a charity on the front of their jersey as chief executive Bernie Gurr holds out for a major sponsorship which recognises their position as the most powerful sporting brand in western Sydney.
In a move that mirrors the approach taken by the Bulldogs as they attempted to piece together their battered image nearly a decade ago, Gurr confirmed the club had begun discussions with a charitable organisation as they contemplate kicking off the opening round of the premiership without a major backer.
The Eels lost major sponsor Dyldam late last year and are yet to lock down a replacement — the front of their Auckland Nines jersey was adorned with Parra 1947. Their search for a major sponsor comes amid evidence that indicates Parramatta not only remain the most popular rugby league side in western Sydney, but are also streets ahead of the AFL’s Greater Western Sydney and the A-League’s Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I think when Canterbury did it they demonstrated being good corporate citizens,” Gurr said.
“They helped out a great charity in Camp Quality. It also lets people know you don’t have a corporate sponsor. Let’s face it, part of the mandate of rugby league clubs is not only to be good footy teams, but rugby league is a big part of the community and we have to give back.”
As well as having the largest supporter base in the region, Parramatta’s commercial television ratings far out-strip GWS and the Wanderers. So, too, their ratings on pay-TV. It’s those statistics in part that have convinced Gurr the club needs to hold its nerve in the cluttered marketplace for major sponsors.
“We’re going to have to be patient. We want to get the right sponsor. More than likely, we’re going to go into the season without a major sponsor,” Gurr said.
“We just believe we have a good proposition. We’re not going to discount it. We’re not going to be silly either. We’re not asking overs. We’re asking what we think is a very fair and reasonable amount of money to go onto our jersey.
“Even though we don’t have a major now, we’re really, really excited about our year, we’re excited about where the club is going. We’re really excited about where we can go coming off a really ordinary 2016.
“By any sporting metric, we’re the biggest sporting franchise in western Sydney. As the biggest sporting franchise in western Sydney, we see ourselves as being the absolutely ideal partner for a corporate to partner with us.”
The club’s partnership with Dyldam remains in dispute with a court battle looming. Several other issues remain outstanding, including domestic violence allegations against Semi Radradra and a settlement for the retired Anthony Watmough, but Gurr believes they will soon be resolved.
“I think we’re going to turn it around very quickly,” Gurr said.
“I think there was clearly reputational damage last year. We’re trying to rebuild trust. The second thing on top of that is our fans want stability.
“They’re realistic — they don’t expect you to win every game but they want a competitive football program, they want the club well run, they don’t want to be on the front and back page for governance or other issues.
“They just want the club to get some stability.
“We’re under the salary cap in 2017. We have a really strong elite junior development club with some good juniors coming through. We’re already planning for 2018, 19 and 20.
“We’re looking at various scenarios within the context of the salary cap. All clubs, no matter who you are, you have to be looking externally at recruitment.
“We’re starting to put some strategies around what we will look like in 18 and 19 because we will have some space in the salary cap.”
Replies
is edge still in charge of corporate?
red ribbon, let the boys just wear pink and show their metro sides. white ribbon is for wife bashers, so that might suit ok.
Id say there is but Burnie is waiting for the right sponsor.
They're a not for profit organisation! Come on people... How can it be that nobody has mentioned this yet??
Shhhhhhh
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