Jarryd Hayne could lose his A$400,000 ($300,400) personal sponsor "if he chooses not to take up his option" to remain on the National Rugby League side Gold Coast Titans next year, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The cross-code rugby player has until May to "trigger a contract extension, which no longer appears a fait accompli following revelations the Titans fined him over his attitude to training over the summer." The incident resulted in Hayne's sacking from the leadership group, although he was reinstated "when the players returned from their Christmas break." Travel company TripADeal Founder Norm Black spent A$400,000 per year "above his club sponsorship to ensure Hayne became a Titan." That sum "remains on the table for next season," although Black revealed "he may reconsider if 'The Plane' left the holiday strip." Black said, "He's our brand ambassador and we haven't gotten that far yet. Obviously one of the things I'm really big on is we come from that team mentality. It would depend on where Jarryd would go. Obviously our loyalties lie with the Titans, so for us to go literally against the Titans -- if Jarryd Hayne wasn't in rugby league, quite possibly, sure [we could part company]." Black "steadfastly defended" Hayne against suggestions he was "bad for team culture" and said that his company was enjoying the "free publicity" that came with its association. Black added, "Anyone who says Jarryd isn't committed doesn't know the guy. He is totally committed to that club." The Titans signed Hayne to a two-year, A$2.4M deal and the fullback has a "two-month deadline to activate the second season" (SMH, 3/9).
