Adam MacDougall backs his old team Newcastle Knights in $300,000 sponsorship deal
WHAT’S THE BUZZ: IN a first for rugby league, former Knights star and healthy living guru Adam MacDougall is to sponsor his old club.
IN a first for rugby league, former Knights star and healthy living guru Adam MacDougall is to sponsor his old club the Newcastle Knights this season.
He will become the first player to sponsor his old team in a $300,000-a-season deal that will feature The Man Shake plastered on the back of the Knights jersey for the opening round of the premiership.
The two-time Knights premiership-winning winger has built his weight loss business into one of Australia’s most popular healthy living businesses.
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“The Knights came to me because they liked what I was doing in the community with the health and weight loss programs,” MacDougall said.
“It’s amazing to be able to give back to a club that gave me such a great start in life.
“I also see it as a way of spreading the word about getting healthy, so it’s a good fit for the club.”
MacDougall, now 40, played 195 first-grade games for the Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters.
After retiring from the game he developed his own weight loss and fitness brand after one of his best mates had a heart attack.
He has also done a deal with the NRL as an official partner where club members from all 16 teams are offered discount deals on his products.
“I’m actually more passionate about this business than I was about playing footy,” he said.
“I won two premierships at the club and the Knights have been a huge part of my life.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for rugby league so if I can give back, it’s a good thing.”
The Knights have struggled to attract sponsorship since the disastrous ownership model under fallen mining tycoon Nathan Tinkler fell over.
It’s why this deal with The Man Shake is so important to the club.
“This is for the fans — even the ones who used to boo me,” he said.
“If I can help any of them to lose weight and get healthier, it’s a win all round.”
SMITH, NINE STAND-OFF MAY INTENSIFY
THE war between Channel 9 and Australia’s rugby league Test captain Cameron Smith is yet to be resolved.
Further straining the relationship is the appointment of Tom Malone as the network’s new head of sport, replacing Steve Crawley. In his old job, Malone was executive producer of Nine’s flagship current affairs program 60 Minutes.
It was this program that aired the Alex McKinnon story last year in which Smith was slammed for not contacting the Knights forward after he was hurt.
The fact Malone didn’t contact Smith to give him the right of reply created all the drama. Nine has made contact with Storm CEO Dave Donaghy and Smith’s manager Isaac Moses to try to resolve the stand-off before the season kicks off next week.
NRL IS FLOATING WITH THE STARS
THE NRL float for Mardi Gras is fast filling up. Mario Fenech, Wendell Sailor, Dan Hunt and Jason King are all confirmed starters for the big parade along Oxford St in Paddington on Saturday night.
So, too, is Dean Widders and Nigel Vagana. The float organiser Paul Langmack says he is overwhelmed by the level of support from the league fraternity. A cheergirl from every NRL club will also be on board in team colours.
CHOC’S TURNING TO CHOOKS
ANTHONY Mundine is already planning for life after boxing. He recently bought a share in a Zetland chicken shop called Tub and Kilo and is about to open other franchises in Dubbo and Redfern.
Your columnist sampled the chicken for lunch on Wednesday and can honestly say it tasted outstanding. In typical Mundine fashion, he’s seriously talking up his business prospects.
“Look out KFC,” he said,
“We will become a major player because our chicken and our recipe is better than anyone else’s.”
NO LIMO RIDE TO TOP FOR NEXT NRL BOSS
NO wonder the NRL’s independent commission was so thrilled and so quick to accept the resignation of former chief executive Dave Smith at the end of last season.
A quick glance at the 2015 annual report reveals why … that expenses rose by a massive 21 per cent to $71.7m under Smith’s watch and that the game recorded a $12m loss, the biggest since the Super League war.
The next chief executive will surely be under strict orders to slash costs in administration — and the limousine transport — that this columnist has been banging on about for two years.
In fairness, the distribution of money to clubs did increase by $16m last year.
HOPPA COPPA’S SECOND CHANCE
IT’S interesting the NRL Integrity Unit banned John Hopoate from coaching at Manly on the advice of detective inspector Wayne Walpole from the police organised crime squad.
This is the same man who was not once but TWICE sacked by the NSW Police Force only to be given another chance, years later, when it was found he was wrongfully dismissed.
He should know better than most about the importance of giving someone a second chance.
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