The Eels' dispute with Dyldam lasted nearly two years.GETTY IMAGES
National Rugby League side Parramatta Eels' "long-running stoush with former sponsor Dyldam is over" after the the firm paid the club more than A$500,000 ($386,000) to "settle the dispute," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The club and property developer "have been on a collision course for the best part of two years, resulting in claims and counter-claims being lodged in the Supreme Court." Dyldam had committed to a A$1M per season sponsorship, but was concerned about "reputational damage to its brand as a result of the salary cap saga." The previous Eels administration agreed to renegotiate the deal and the result was a revised A$700,000 ($540,000) arrangement for the '16 season, the final year of the contract. Yet "despite the discounted rate," Dyldam reportedly fell behind in payments, making only a handful of A$75,000 installments. When it was revealed in Aug. '16 that the new payment plan was not met, Dyldam "stopped paying altogether, leaving the club with a huge shortfall." The parties "have been at loggerheads ever since." Parramatta "continued to uphold its end of the bargain, splashing the Dyldam logo on the front of its jersey and providing appropriate branding at other events." Dyldam settled, agreeing to "cough up -- once interest and legal costs are factored in" -- more than A$550,000 ($424,000) to the club (SMH, 3/17).
