Wicked Sisters is the second sponsor to sever ties with the Bulldogs.GETTY IMAGES
The "fallout" from National Rugby League side Canterbury Bulldogs' "disastrous" Mad Monday celebrations "has continued with a second sponsor dropping" the club, according to Steve Zemek of the AAP. Shorts sponsor Wicked Sister Desserts on Wednesday said that it terminated its agreement worth a reported A$350,000 ($249,000) over the incident and "the Bulldogs' handling of it." In a "significant financial blow, it comes four weeks after major sponsor Jaycar ended its 10-year association with the club" and pulled its back-of-shirt sponsorship worth A$500,000 ($356,400). Wicked Sister said in a statement, "Wicked Sister Desserts is a family owned business and we share the same family values as our customers. What has occurred is completely unacceptable. We do not in any way condone the behaviour and nor do we support the response by the leadership of the club in the way they have handled this matter" (AAP, 10/3). In Sydney, Dean Ritchie reported Wicked Sister CEO Paul Polly "heavily" criticized the behavior of players and "also attacked the club’s administration." Polly claimed he was "not informed about the drama by club officials but heard through his company’s customers." Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill "was left to pick up the pieces again on Wednesday night." Hill said that his club had "already received interest from prospective sponsors." He said, "While their [Wicked Sister's] decision is disappointing, the Bulldogs are a strong and resilient club that is now looking forward to next season. We have had a number of organizations touch base with us to express an interest in discussing opportunities" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 10/3).
