St George Bank will end its sponsorship of the Dragons following 40-year relationship

St George Illawarra could suffer a massive financial hit with the club’s fed-up major sponsor ready to pull the pin as the Dragons’ situation goes from bad to worse.

St George Bank has ended its Dragons major sponsorship.

The Dragons have not only lost coaching target Jason Ryles, but their $1 million-plus sponsor, St George Bank, is on the verge of pulling the pin on the club.

Officials were recently informed by the bank that a relationship that dates back 40 years with the club would come to an end.

The bank has offered to stay on until the end of next season, if the club can’t secure a replacement front-of-jersey sponsor.

The major sponsor has been concerned about the management of the club and player behaviour over the last few years, which has culminated with unacceptable on-field form.

St George Bank will end its major sponsorship of the Dragons. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“We can confirm that 2024 will be the final season of St George Bank’s sponsorship of the St George Illawarra Dragons,” A St George Bank spokesman said.

“The partnership has been an important sponsorship for the bank, but the time is right to pursue new opportunities for our communities, business and customer priorities. We will continue to support the Dragons through 2024 as they assess their future sponsorship arrangements.”

The last-placed Dragons are now favourites with the TAB to win the wooden spoon.

Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb did not want to comment on the sponsorship blow when contacted on Wednesday.

Other club sources revealed officials were still in talks with the bank around staying on board with a more minor investment in the club.

The news comes after revelations Sydney Roosters assistant, Ryles, had turned down St George Illawarra’s offer of a four-year deal to be the club’s head coach.

It was a combination of the bungled Ryles negotiations, the team’s poor performances and off-field issues including BBQ-gate during Covid lockdown, player misbehaviour and the fact only three players turned up to their end-of-season presentation night last year.

Outgoing major sponsor St George Bank.

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb.

Not one official turned up to captain Ben Hunt’s 300-game celebration dinner on the Gold Coast earlier this month, shortly before they sacked coach Anthony Griffin and installed assistant Ryan Carr as the interim replacement.

St George Bank’s decision to withdraw their sponsorship puts enormous pressure on Webb and chairman Andrew Lancaster.

The pair have been heavily criticised for the club’s performances on and off the field in recent years.

The Dragons have won one finals match in a decade and has failed to capitalised on one of the biggest junior nurseries in rugby league in the Illawarra region.

Originally published as St George Bank will end its sponsorship of the Dragons following 40-year relationship