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Emirates may ditch Western Force naming rights
BY:BRET HARRIS From: The Australian May 22, 2013 12:00AM
THE Western Force is confident of retaining Emirates as a commercial partner even if the Dubai-based airline decides not to renew its naming rights sponsorship of the Super Rugby franchise.
The Force is currently in negotiations with Emirates, which has been the team's naming rights sponsor since it entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006.
"It's not black and white. We are still in on-going discussions," Force chief executive Mark Sinderberry said.
"I'm confident Emirates will be involved going forward, but the exact nature is still to be determined.
"The contract is up at the end of the year.
"We are in discussions about what's happening going forward. It's been a tremendous relationship for eight years. Both parties would like to continue it in some form or other."
If Emirates decides not to renew its naming rights sponsorship of the Force, it will be the second major sponsor of an Australian Super Rugby team not to re-commit, after HSBC announced it was ending its long relationship with the NSW Waratahs at the end of the year.
The Force has never reached the Super Rugby playoffs and is currently 14th with a 2-10-1 win-loss-draw record.
Meanwhile, Force number eight Richard Brown is expected to continue his career in Japan at the end of the season.
It is understood Brown has already reached an agreement with a Japanese club.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226647917666