Canberra Raiders' Nick Cotric breaks free in a NRL match against the New Zealand Warriors.getty images
Chinese telecom Huawei will "consider extending" its major sponsorship of National Rugby League side Canberra Raiders "despite being banned from the 5G network rollout," according to David Polkinghorne of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Huawei's contract with the Raiders expires at the end of the '19 season. The then-eight-year partnership would be the longest major sponsorship in club history. National security concerns about Huawei's links with the Chinese government led to the Australian government banning it from being part of the future 5G rollout. It "led to concerns" that the Chinese company could end its connection with the Australian sporting landscape. But Huawei Corporate Affairs Dir Jeremy Mitchell said that the company would not only see out its existing deal with Canberra, but it "could also look to extend it." He said that its growth as a "major player" in the mobile phone market meant it "could look to remain an active sponsor in Australia." Mitchell added that the company will "wait until next year before making a decision on the Raiders." He said that Huawei has been "happy" with its association with Canberra and feels like "part of the Raiders family." Mitchell: "It doesn't impact at all with the Raiders. We've got one more season to go until we have to look at possibly renewing or not" (SMH, 9/6).
