This was published 5 years ago
Warner's manager closely watches Tendulkar's law suit against Spartan
By Tom Decent
David Warner’s manager says the star batsman plans to honour a new bat sponsorship with Spartan Sports but expects the Sydney-based company, which is being sued by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar for $3 million, to pay up in full or risk more legal action.
Warner, who had a long-term deal with Gray-Nicolls before the ball-tampering scandal last year, has been using Spartan bats in his international return and used one in scoring a superb 107 against Pakistan at the World Cup in Taunton.
Australian opener David Warner in action against Pakistan at the Cricket World Cup. Credit: AP
The 32-year-old recently signed a new deal with Spartan and it was unclear whether or not he had been paid a portion of his contract.
While there was no suggestion Spartan would not pay the money owed to the Australian opener, Warner’s manager James Erskine said he expected the contract to be fulfilled.
“Warner has got a contract with them and if they don’t pay, we’d probably do the same thing (as Tendulkar),” Erskine told the Herald. “If people don’t pay you under a contract, you are free to sue them for the money you think you have been owed.
“We have a clause in that contract which states that if they don’t pay we can terminate the contract. At the moment David Warner has no problem with Spartan and I don’t think Spartan have any problem with David Warner."
Tendulkar is suing Spartan after it allegedly failed to pay him $3 million under an exclusive licensing agreement to use his name and image on sporting goods.
The news of Tendulkar’s legal action comes after Warner scored his first century for Australia since his one-year ban, using Spartan equipment.
The left-hander has now made 255 runs from four innings at the World Cup at an impressive average of 85.
Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar is suing Australian batmaker Spartan Sports.Credit: Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
Erskine said Warner’s form was evidence that he was happy with his new bat sponsor.
“Given what has happened at the World Cup everything seems to be going well,” Erskine said. “He’s spending a lot of time at the crease … and at the end of the day he’s playing with a bat. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
Tendulkar terminated his agreement with Spartan in September last year and requested the company not use his image.
Michael Clarke, MS Dhoni, Kevin Pietersen are among other cricketers Spartan has had on its books over the years.
Australian Test cricketers Mitchell Johnson and Joe Burns have previously sued Spartan over an alleged shortfall in contract payments.