Aussie Taskforce Proposes Ban On Alcohol Sports Sponsorships

Alcohol Sponsor Ban Would Cost Australian Sports Leagues And Teams Millions Of Dollars

Australia's premier sporting leagues "would be stripped of up to" US$240.5M a year in alcohol sponsorship "under a radical blueprint to fight disease and help people live together," according to Lewis & Packham of the Brisbane COURIER-MAIL. The move would see ads and signage for alcohol brands "disappear from television screens and sporting arenas." It would also eliminate a "massive revenue stream" from such sports organizations as Cricket Australia, the Australian Football League, National Rugby League and Australian Rugby Union. In addition, the move could pit the government "against the powerful television networks, who also stand to lose lucrative alcohol-related advertising." Lewis & Packham write the "explosive call to ban alcohol sponsorship of sporting and cultural events is a key recommendation of the National Preventative Health Taskforce" (Brisbane COURIER-MAIL, 7/17). A Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH editorial states a "blanket ban on alcohol-related sponsorship would be an excessive and damaging step." There is "barely any major Australian sport that doesn't benefit from sponsorship or funding by companies that sell alcoholic drinks." The nation's sports "would be hurt by the removal of alcohol sponsorship, while the health benefits of a ban are debatable." The editorial: "The Federal Government should think long and hard before accepting any recommendation to ditch alcohol sponsorship of sport. They don't want to throw the baby out with the firewater" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/17).