Cricket Australia reportedly has "two major sponsors waiting on the sideline," according to Peter Lalor of THE AUSTRALIAN. CA warned its players on Wednesday that they will "not be contracted if they strike deals with competing commercial interests during the contract dispute." The three int'l male teams lack naming rights sponsors after Carlton & United Breweries and Commonwealth Bank "failed to renew longstanding deals which expired this year." Sydney-based assets management company Magellan Financial Group is reportedly "interested in the Test sponsorship" and KFC the T20 position. Magellan "refused to comment" as suggestions emerged it "may be bidding to sponsor all three formats in the deal." The "bitter contract dispute has been a distraction to both negotiations," with sponsors "unsure whether tours will go ahead" and if they do, who will be playing in them. CA "refused to comment on its sponsorship negotiations" on Thursday. A CA spokesperson said, "We are in discussions with a number of potential partners and will announce those deals when appropriate" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/29).
