QANTAS Wallabies No more...
https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/qanta...9-91896d0f0351
Qantas will end its 30-year sponsorship of the Wallabies and cut off financial support for the national cricket and soccer teams as it desperately cuts costs amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The airline will offer "in-kind support" to Cricket Australia and Football Federation Australia, such as free flights and marketing, but will not pay any sponsorship fees for the next 12 months.
But its decision to cut ties with the Wallabies and Rugby Australia, ending a partnership that dates back to 1990, that threatens to have the biggest impact, with the 15-man code going through its most difficult period since the game went professional in 1995.
"In an environment where thousands of our people have lost jobs and thousands more are stood down while they wait for flying to restart, we can't maintain these sponsorships in the way we have in the past," Qantas' chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said in a statement.
"While we're dealing with this crisis and its aftermath, the cash cost of our sponsorships has to be zero.
"Qantas has had a very long association with Rugby Australia and the Wallabies, and we've stuck with each other during difficult times. Unfortunately, this pandemic has been the undoing."
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...bc330f121857df
The coronavirus pandemic has forced Qantas to cease its 30-year sponsorship of the Wallabies in an attempt to save money.
“In an environment where thousands of our people have lost jobs and thousands more are stood down while they wait for flying to restart, we can’t maintain these sponsorships in the way we have in the past,” Qantas’ chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said in a statement.
“While we’re dealing with this crisis and its aftermath, the cash cost of our sponsorships has to be zero.
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“Qantas has had a very long association with Rugby Australia and the Wallabies, and we’ve stuck with each other during difficult times. Unfortunately, this pandemic has been the undoing.”
Qantas will end its 30-year sponsorship with Rugby Australia and the Wallabies, to save money in current COVID crisis. In-kind (non cash) partnerships to continue with Cricket Australia, FFA, AOC and Paralympics Australia.
— Robyn Ironside (@ironsider) September 23, 2020
Qantas ends 30-year sponsorship of Wallabies -- Covid financial pressures to blame, though Australian rugby hardly been great for a while so it's kinda convenient
— Will Davies (@WillMHDavies) September 23, 2020
Breaking ... big story @smh @SMHsport
Qantas set to end 30-year Wallabies partnership. Will continue until end of the year but Rugby Australia now without a major sponsor. https://t.co/qwje85m1aI
— Tom Decent (@tomdecent) September 23, 2020
Rugby Australia chief executive Rob Clorke was understanding of the decision given the financial circumstances.
“While it is obviously disappointing to lose such a loyal partner, it is understandable given the world we are all now living in, and the challenges we are all facing,” he said in a statement.
“There aren’t many 30-year partnerships in Australian sport, and I want to thank Qantas for everything they have done for our great game.
“Alan (Joyce) and his team have been transparent and collaborative in their discussions with us and they have now given us the opportunity to prepare for 2021 and beyond.
“While we have all felt the effects of COVID-19, Rugby in Australia is entering a very exciting new chapter. We have a Rugby Championship on home soil for the first-time ever in November, a new generation of Wallabies players keen to make their mark, a Lions Tour in 2025 and the opportunity to host a Rugby World Cup here in Australia in 2027.”
Qantas has supported the Wallabies for 30 years, choosing to support Rugby Australia in the aftermath of Israel Folau’s controversial social media posts.
Joyce said at the time that Qantas stood by the decision to tear up Folau’s contract while dismissing suggestions that he was responsible for the star’s sacking.
“We sponsor organisations and sports teams to get a positive benefit out of it,” Joyce told reporters then.
“When it becomes controversial, we, of course, want the sporting code to fix those issues.
“Israel’s comments were terrible for a large element of the community, a vulnerable element of the community.
“We felt that was causing controversy for our sponsorship and as a consequence, we asked Rugby Australia ‘what are you doing to make sure we’re not involved in controversy?’”
