News Another new Sponsor - Sportingbet

[Aphrodite]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25014434-19742,00.html

SPORTS bookmakers are emerging as key financial backers of AFL clubs, with two major outlets yesterday committing to big deals. Just 12 days after the AFL relaxed rules on clubs entering contracts with wagering companies, Richmond and Carlton respectively signed up Luxbet and Sportingbet.

Luxbet will be co-major sponsor, alongside Dick Smith, of Richmond for 2009 in a deal believed to be worth about $700,000 a year.

Carlton's arrangement with Sportingbet is a second-tier sponsorship that will reap the club about $600,000 in the next two years.

The AFL softened a long-held hard stance on allowing clubs to enter deals with bookies after the State Government, on the eve of the 2008 spring carnival, ended its ban on advertising by wagering companies.

Luxbet, a subsidiary of Tabcorp, has been able to take a major sponsorship position with Richmond because the AFL has entered its own deal with Tabcorp.

The AFL also has a contract with Betfair.

Sportingbet and all other bookmaking firms are not allowed by the AFL to join AFL clubs as major sponsors in 2009.

Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said the Blues' deal with Sportingbet completed his club's corporate sponsorship for 2009.

"Ours is a straight sponsorship, we are not obligated for our people (Carlton members) to lose their money before we make money," Swann said last night.

"We don't have to deliver a number of customers in order to get our dough."

Following Richmond's deal with Luxbet, Melbourne remains the only AFL club without a major sponsor.

Tigers chief executive Steven Wright said: "We're very pleased with this deal.

Luxbet is a dynamic new market leader and we feel this is a good fit with the Richmond brand.

"We both feel we are on the verge of something pretty exciting."

Wright said the Tigers remained committed to "responsible gambling" and would not be placing the Luxbet logo on Richmond guernseys sold to juniors.

Sportingbet boss Michael Sullivan said: "We have long wanted an opportunity to put money back into a sport we bet on."

 

[jonoman89]

Mmmm. Money.

 

[bLuEbOy1984]

mmmmmmm... moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy......... love it... love greg swann, since his been there with pratt its been blue skies... just the way i like it

 

[thylacine60]

We don't like to say "blue skies" here...........

 

[Aphrodite]

An update to the original post from the CFC website .........

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/season2008/newsarticle/tabid/4311/default.aspx?newsid=72315

Australia’s biggest joins the Blues

The Carlton Football Club will be supported by Australia’s biggest bookmaker, Sportingbet Australia, through an advertising and sponsorship agreement.

“This is a significant sponsorship deal for the Carlton Football Club and we are pleased to have the support of Sportingbet Australia, not only Australia’s biggest bookmaker but importantly an AFL approved betting provider,” said Carlton CEO Greg Swann.

This is a two year agreement that will see Sportingbet Australia focus much of their promotion on the online betting via www.sportingbet.com.au through the Carlton Football Club, including on match days.

Sportingbet Australia’s CEO Michael Sullivan said, “Sportingbet is very pleased to be associated with the Carlton Football Club as we believe Carlton is embarking on a very exciting period, both on and off the field. Development and growth is a key for both Carlton and Sportingbet and we look forward to enjoying a successful partnership with the Blues.”

Sportingbet accepts bets by telephone and online on racing, sport and entertainment.