Canterbury Leagues Club’s $6.5m deal to keep Bulldogs afloat

As the only NRL club without a major sponsor, Canterbury’s perilous financial state is writ large – but a new $6.5 million deal looks set to buffer the Bulldogs from the effects of the coronavirus.

Bulldogs fans during the Round 7 NRL match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Thursday, April 19, 2018. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Struggling Canterbury will be rescued from the economic perils of coronavirus and two misbehaving footballers with a whopping $6.5 million financial package from Canterbury Leagues Club — which would include major sponsorship.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Canterbury Leagues Club will inject a $5.2 million grant into the Bulldogs this season and are also poised to become the club’s major sponsor in an additional deal worth $1 million to $1.2 million.

Canterbury lost a vital major sponsor – Rashays family restaurants – after players Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera allegedly broke club and NRL protocols by having sex with schoolgirls during a pre-season trip to Port Macquarie.

The Bulldogs remain the only NRL club without a major sponsor.

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Canterbury Leagues Club is ready to safeguard the Bulldogs’ future. Photo: AAP IMAGE / Robert Pozo

Canterbury Leagues Club has told the Bulldogs football club to continue pursuing major sponsors but, should that fail, the Leagues Club would step in and become the $1 million to $1.2 million major sponsor.

The deal — which would include Canterbury Leagues Club being displayed on the Bulldogs jumper — could be struck in around a month if another major sponsor cannot be secured. It has been hailed by members as a club-saving gesture.

Canterbury Leagues has slightly decreased its annual football club grant but it’s still worth a whopping $5.2 million after the new Bulldogs board trimmed excessive costs inside the football office.

The $5.2 million grant will be paid to the Bulldogs football club in monthly instalments.

Officials claim the overall $6.5 million financial package will help the Bulldogs through the financially crippling coronavirus pandemic. And it comes with the Leagues Club facing its own financial challenges through coronavirus.

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The big space on the Dogs’ shirts speaks to the club’s troubles. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The football club hasn’t yet asked for the sponsorship money but are aware it would be available if a major sponsor could not be secured. It would be a one-year sponsorship deal to essentially “balance their books”.

One source close to the football club and Leagues Club said: “If the Bulldogs can get a sponsor, all is good. If they can’t, then Canterbury Leagues will step forward, tip the money in and put Canterbury Leagues across the front.

“I’m sure the football club will go to the Leagues Club when they have exhausted all their avenues.”

The Leagues Club would remain major sponsor until the Bulldogs can find a replacement.

With NRL clubs facing the possibility of losing broadcast money, sponsorship, membership, gate takings and merchandise, Canterbury Leagues’ money will significantly ease any financial pressure building on the Bulldogs.

Some clubs fear financial ruin in just eight to 12 weeks should the NRL be forced to cancel games.

George Coorey is looking to retain his position at the Leagues club.

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The development comes as Canterbury Leagues Club holds board elections this Friday and Saturday. Directors Paul Dunn, Peter Callaghan, Peter Winchester and John Ballesty will be automatically returned while respected Leagues Club chairman George Coorey will seek re-election.

The Daily Telegraph has been told Coorey has enormous support from members, powerbrokers and the football club, as does club legend Steve Mortimer and Jim Koutsouklakis, who are also seeking to be returned.

Candidates Robert D’Ambrosi and Michael Patulny will also run.

Originally published as Canterbury Leagues Club’s $6.5m deal to keep Bulldogs afloat