Gina Rinehart pulls massive $15m Diamonds netball sponsor deal

Australia’s richest woman has pulled her $15 million sponsorship deal for the Diamonds netball team.

Australia’s richest woman has pulled her $15 million sponsorship deal for the Diamonds netball team.

It follows a week of turmoil where Diamonds players questioned Hancock Prospecting’s ideals on climate change and First Nations people.

Ms Rinehart will provide “short term funding’’ so that Netball Australia can find another major sponsor.

“Contrary to media reports, Hancock Prospecting has not insisted that its name be worn by the Australian Diamonds in the current Constellation Cup series when overseas,’’ the company said in a statement.

“Hancock and Roy Hill does not want to add to Netball’s disunity problems and accordingly Hancock has advised the governing body that it has withdrawn from its proposed partnership, effective immediately.’’

Gina Rinehart has dropped her sponsorship deal of the Diamonds netball team. Picture: AAP Image/David Swift

In a stinging rebuke to the claims of “wokeness’ which are infiltrating professional sports, Ms Hancock said: “It is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as the vehicle for social or political causes.

“The reality is that sponsorship is integral to sports organisations - for full time professionals right through to the grassroots level.

“Hancock has, and always will, ensure its sponsorship is spent on and for the athletes.

“Hancock would only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo if athletes are proud to do so.’’

The decision is a massive blow for netball in Australia as Netball Australia had struggled to secure a naming rights sponsor, especially one prepared to pay $15 million over four years.

The money was ostensibly going to player and coach wages.

Netballer Lauren Morgan posted this shot to social media showing the Hancock Prospecting logo. Picture: Supplied

Former Australian netball players and a group of current players had led the charge on criticising Hancock Prospecting.

It follows captain Pat Cummins urging Cricket Australia to drop major sponsor, energy supplier Alinta.

Alinta Energy revealed last week it would be ending its partnership with Cricket Australia next year but Cricket Australia said Cummins’ comments did not “influence Alinta’s decision to finish its sponsorship”.

Meanwhile, uncertainty remains around the Fremantle Dockers major partnership with oil and gas giant Woodside after a group of high-profile supporters claimed they were no longer appropriate as sponsor in the midst of a climate crisis.

The Hancock statement said through royalties the mining industry paid billions of dollars each year to build hospitals and schools and pay for police and defence personnel.

It had earlier said that Ms Hancock had paid $300 million over the past seven years to help First Nations communities.

“We will provide a four month sponsorship, if Netball Australia accepts, so it can arrange alternative funding and sponsorships,’’ the statement said.

It’s understood Netball Australia will now approach major betting companies to come on board, although sources say they are reticent, considering how influential the players have been in this episode.

Originally published as Gina Rinehart pulls massive $15m Diamonds netball sponsor deal