State of Origin side Queensland Rugby League is "the most successful juggernaut in Australian sport," but sponsors are deserting the "mighty Maroons," according to Peter Badel of the Brisbane COURIER-MAIL. The Star Entertainment Group is "the latest sponsor to walk away from the Maroons." Two sponsors "have now severed ties with the most successful outfit in Origin history following the departure of major backer Suncorp." QRL "also opted not to renew links with a third key sponsor," apparel supplier Canterbury. While The Star opted not to renew its corporate ties with QRL, it will "continue sponsoring NSW next season." QRL Chair Bruce Hatcher "dismissed concerns the Maroons have bungled their sponsorship stable." He "insisted the famous Queensland jumper would not be undervalued." Hatcher: "It's just a commercial reality -- we have got to find something else. What we will never do is devalue our brand. We have to get value and that will come, but we won't be selling our Queensland jumper off cheaply." Hatcher said that QRL was "in talks with three companies." It is understood one of those is Flight Centre, which has "expressed interest in replacing Suncorp as major sponsor" (COURIER-MAIL, 8/12).
