Second sponsor walks out on Canterbury over Mad Monday

THE fallout from Canterbury’s ill-fated Mad Monday celebrations continues to haunt the embattled club, with a second company pulling their sponsorship after Jaycar quit early last month.

IN yet another financial blow to the embattled club, Canterbury’s ill-fated Mad Monday celebrations has cost the club a $350,000-a-year sponsorship.

Shorts sponsor, Wicked Sister Desserts, became the second sponsor to walk away after Jaycar quit early last month.

The fallout from the ugly day continues to haunt the Bulldogs.

Jaycar’s deal was worth $500,000-a-year with Wicked Sister outlaying $350,000 per season.

Wicked Sister Desserts chief executive Paul Polly heavily criticised the behaviour of players in The Rocks and also attacked the club’s administration.

Polly claimed he was not informed about the drama by club officials but heard through his company’s customers.

A Bulldogs player on the ground during the Mad Monday celebrations at the Harbour View Hotel. Picture: Christian Gilles

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Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill was left to pick up the pieces again on Wednesday night.

“As a lifelong supporter of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, it was a dream come true to be able to sign on my brand, Wicked Sister Desserts, as the shorts sponsor in November 2016,” Polly said in a statement.

“Today I am announcing that we have notified the club that we will terminate our sponsorship agreement, effective immediately. And I have sent that letter today.

“I am passionate about the club and the game, and as the CEO and founder of Wicked Sister Desserts, I wanted to align the company with an organisation that shares our values.

Bulldogs players had a poor season the field and haven’t enjoyed much luck off it either.

“The post-season behaviour by the players and the response from the club is in no way aligned to the core values of our company and brand or the community expectations of our customers, our employees, our trade partners and suppliers.

“We do not in any way condone the behaviour, nor do we support the response by the leadership of the club in the way in which they have handled this matter.

“I believe the club’s response after the event is also not in line with the expectations of the wider NRL community and I want a clear message shown that this behaviour is not acceptable, not appropriate and will not be tolerated.

A Bulldogs player vomiting on the street during the Mad Monday celebrations. Picture: Christian Gilles

“What was most disappointing is that I learned of what had happened from customers who rang in the wake of the incident, not from the club. I have raised my concerns with the leadership of the club and I have sought answers but remain frustrated and disappointed at the inadequate responses.”

Hill said his club had already received interest from prospective sponsors.

“While their decision is disappointing, the Bulldogs are a strong and resilient club that is now looking forward to next season,” Hill said.

The Bulldogs were originally fined $250,000 by the NRL. Picture: Toby Zerna

“We have had a number of organisations touch base with us to express an interest in discussing opportunities.

“Everyone involved with the Bulldogs is excited about what the future holds and where the club is heading.”

Canterbury was fined $250,000 by the NRL before the amount was halved to $125,000 after the club appealed.

Polly though remained irritated and angry.

“There will be some who criticise our company for taking this position but our company and brand stand for certain values and behaviours, and we expect the same levels of decency and respect from those who we align ourselves with,” Polly said.

Bulldogs players at the Harbour View Hotel in The Rocks. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“I wish the Canterbury Bulldogs every success in the upcoming season. I hope that the club is able to reassess how it has handled this matter and can regain the respect of the supporters, the rugby community and the wider public and return the focus to the good things the club does in sport and in the community.

“Our most important people are our customers and employees across Australia and New Zealand. Wicked Sister Desserts is a proud family brand and while initially there seemed to be alignment between our values and those of the club, the last few weeks have shown that this is no longer the case.”

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