Super Rugby side ACT Brumbies are "putting their jersey up for sale," ramping up an
int'l search for a major sponsor to "ensure the club avoids a
financial black hole at the start of the Super Rugby season," according to Chris Dutton of the CANBERRA TIMES. The club hopes to "land a long-term deal" worth more than
A$1M ($880,000) a season as Brumbies CEO Doug Edwards puts together a list
of "potential partners to start locking in" the club's financial
viability. The Brumbies will announce a "record loss in their annual
report in December as rugby union fights to keep up" with the National Rugby League, Australian Football League
and the A-League in crowd numbers and TV ratings. The Brumbies believe they can "attract the biggest sponsorship
deal in the club's history, putting their jersey on the market and
urging multinational companies to replace the University of Canberra." The team's search for a partner has "stalled recently, but the club is in talks with several companies about
signing up for what they believe is 'the cheapest jersey in Australian
Super Rugby.'" The Brumbies were on the "brink of disaster three years ago
when Huawei reneged on a multimillion-dollar deal just two months before
the start of the season." Edwards: "It's imperative we get a sponsor ... if you don't have one, you're running around wondering what will happen." The Brumbies believe Super Rugby's int'l format in Australia,
New Zealand and South Africa gives their sponsors a "marketing advantage
over the NRL and AFL." More than 580,000 fans tuned in to watch the Brumbies play
the Crusaders in May with marketing company Repucom "valuing the
Brumbies' jersey exposure" at A$2.7M during the season. Brumbies merchandise sales also increased 150% in the past year (CANBERRA TIMES, 10/9).
