Team New Zealand sponsor Emirates has confirmed that it is "keen to renew" its sponsorship of the syndicate once the full details of the next America's Cup are known, according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Team Manager Grant Dalton has said that previously "all their existing stable of sponsors have indicated they are keen to continue their association with the Kiwi syndicate, with other as yet unknown brands also expressing strong interest in coming on board." But Dalton "is unable to finalise any deals until the host venues for both the Cup match and qualifying series are known." These details are not expected to be revealed by America's Cup authorities until February, "leaving Team New Zealand with a funding shortfall until then" (NZ HERALD, 6/17). STUFF reported New Zealand PM John Key believes that public interest in the America's Cup "is dropping." Key said that "Team New Zealand must find private sector sponsors and donors to fund another campaign." Key said, ''My sense actually is the public is waning on the idea a bit. I think there's a few people saying 'we don't like the fact that this is a sport where the winner sets the rules.'" Key reaffirmed that the government would not fund the next Cup tilt, and said it ''can't be a government-led thing." Key's comments came after Dalton last Friday confirmed that "the team's resources would expire at the end of this month" (STUFF, 6/16).
