Qantas Gooooooooooooone....
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:57 am
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/rugb ... f121857df
The Fortescue Metals Wallabies should do OK.Qantas dumps Wallabies in shock end to 30-year partnership
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.
“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.
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?’”
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