Waste-processing firm Cleanaway "has torn up its contract" with National Rugby League side Parramatta over the "salary cap saga as the dramas begin to have an impact on the club's bottom line," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Just when the Eels "finally became salary cap compliant, Cleanaway severed ties amid concerns their association was tarnishing their brand." The end of the relationship with Cleanaway will cost Parramatta "a six-figure amount." It is understood another club sponsor "is reviewing its position and is giving serious consideration to also ripping up its deal." Should that eventuate, the combined loss of income "would total well over half a million dollars." Cleanaway and Parramatta renewed their partnership on a new three-year deal last season, an upgrade that "resulted in the firm featuring on the uniforms of the club's on-field trainers." Cleanaway Head of Marketing & Communications Alison Chalmer said, "We did that last week. We wish the club the best moving forward but it wasn't a relationship we wanted to continue at this time, so we made that decision. Obviously the club is facing a number of different challenges at the moment. From our perspective it's not a sponsorship we wanted to continue with" (SMH, 5/12).
