A-Leagues: Melbourne Victory confident collapse of sponsor Bonza airlines will not have major affect on club

The collapse of Bonza airlines is far-reaching across the aviation industry, but also has a direct affect on Australia’s A-Leagues with Melbourne Victory grappling with its impact, writes SHANNON GILL.

Melbourne Victory is confident that the collapse of budget airline Bonza will not have major ramifications on its finances.

Currently the principal partner of the club, Bonza entered voluntary administration with all services suspended after the repossession of its fleet on Tuesday morning.

While a sponsor going bust is an unwelcome but usually manageable situation, the fact that Bonza’s parent company – US private equity firm 777 Partners – is also a 19.9 % shareholder of the Victory makes the issue all the more delicate.

Bonza Airlines has cancelled all flights in an apparent collapse. Picture: Mark Stewart

However, Victory believes that the airline collapse will in no way affect the 777 Partners ownership of the club.

“We’re currently monitoring the situation with Bonza. As we announced earlier in the year, Turkish Airlines will become the Club’s principal Partner from next season,” a club spokesperson said.

In 2022 Bonza signed a four year deal to be the principal partner of the Victory, with it holding prime real estate on the front of its shirt.

Last month Victory announced the new principal partner deal with Turkish Airlines to commence at the start of next season.

At the time Victory Managing Director Caroline Carnegie made reference to Bonza giving the deal its blessing despite it being a rival airline.

“Bonza, who is owned by 777 Partners, a strategic shareholder of Melbourne Victory, have been extremely supportive in allowing the Club to maximise this new opportunity with Turkish Airlines, and will remain a major partner of the Club.”

Victory has confirmed that before Bonza’s collapse it had opted out of the last two seasons of its sponsorship.

Adding to the intrigue around 777 Partners, reports suggest the firm injected 16 million pounds into English Premier League club Everton just hours after the Bonza fleet was repossessed amid ongoing speculation it wanted to buy the club.

In addition to Victory, 777 Partners owns stakes in various football clubs across the globe including Serie B team Genoa, Paris-based Red Star FC, Brazilian club Vasco da Gama and La Liga side Sevilla.

Originally published as A-Leagues: Melbourne Victory confident collapse of sponsor Bonza airlines will not have major affect on club