Port Adelaide’s new major partnership will allow it to pursue China and AFLW, says Power boss Keith Thomas

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says the club’s historic new partnership with MG Motor will allow it to continue growing its brand in China, and also establish an AFLW team in coming years.

Port Adelaide players after the club announced a five-year sponsorship deal with car dealer MG.. Connor Rozee and Robbie Gray in a historic MGC with Xavier Duursma, Tom Jonas, Hamish Hartlett and Tom Rockliff in the background. Picture SARAH REED

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Port Adelaide can pursue both an AFLW licence and success in China, chief executive Keith Thomas says after the club unveiled one of the biggest sponsorship deals in its history.

The Power announced an initial five-year deal with MG Motor – now owned by the Shanghai-based, Chinese state-owned SAIC Motor – to be their joint major sponsor starting in their 150th anniversary season this year.

Neither Thomas or Port chairman David Koch disclosed how much the deal was worth, but said financially it was “right up there” in terms of sponsorship deals in the club’s history.

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David Koch – with MG Motor Australia chief executive Peter Ciao (right) – and Keith Thomas (left) said the deal was “right up there” in terms of sponsorship arrangements for the club. Picture: Sarah Reed

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But any deal allowing a car company into the competition would have to be significant considering Toyota’s status as the official partner of the AFL.

The deal will involve the MG logo on the front of Port’s guernsey and on the back of its away strip.

Koch said it would help secure the financial stability so there could be a “fully funded football department year-in, year-out” at Alberton.

“That is still the ambition and that is what we deliver on,” he said.

“We are fully funded under the soft cap; at the moment we have some carry over averages, if I’m completely honest, from the salary cap, which most clubs do.

“But we are basically fully-funded in terms of player spend – we have a bit up our sleeve from previous years, which we are planning to use in the next 12 months.”

Connor Rozee and Robbie Gray (front, from left) in a historic MG with (back, from left) Xavier Duursma, Tom Jonas, Hamish Hartlett and Tom Rockliff promoting the new deal on Tuesday. Picture: Sarah Reed

The deal could also help the Power’s push to secure an AFLW licence, likely now in 2023 at the earliest, after they put China first instead of trying to join the league in 2017.

Thomas said the club wanted to enter the AFLW competition in 2022, but didn’t really “have a clear line of sight” on when the league will expand next.

“We are keen to get in on the next intake,” he said.

“We like what the game is offering and how it is developing, and we are now in a position where we can do both China and AFLW with enthusiasm.

“It’s not just the deal with MG, clearly it contributes, but it’s more about the capacity of our executive team to execute two massive strategies and our football programs.”

In December, Thomas told The Advertiser redeveloping Alberton Oval, especially the expansion and redesign of the High Performance Centre, to prepare for entry into the AFLW competition had become the club’s “highest priority”.