Grant O’Brien: Tassie AFL club, Warner Bros negotiations ‘towards the end’

Tasmanian AFL club chair Grant O’Brien has revealed where negotiations with Warner Bros sits surrounding the use of a possible club nickname, but others are coming into play.

Grant O'Brien as the Inaugural Chair of the Tasmanian AFL Club. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmanian AFL team chair Grant O’Brien has revealed negotiations surrounding the trademark of a club nickname could soon be over.

Since Tassie was announced as the AFL’s 19th team in May last year, the AFL has been in negotiations with American entertainment giant Warner Bros for the rights to the “Tasmanian Devils” name.

Tasmania’s under-18 men’s and women’s teams, which compete in the Coates Talent League, play under the Devils name after the AFL filed a trademark application for t

Speaking on SEN Tassie on Friday morning, O’Brien said talks were heading in the right direction ahead of the club’s official launch.

While the Devils name looms as the most likely, other remains in play.

“It has been the subject of some serious negotiations but you’ll be pleased to know we’re getting towards the end of it,” he said.

“As you know, it only really provides us with an option. It doesn’t say that that’s going to be the one.

“I think there is strong mail coming in for some of the other options.”

Earlier this week the club held firm on its decision to hold the launch on March 18, despite a suggestion from Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff to move it beyond the election.

The day will see six events held simultaneously across the state with the team’s name, logo, colours and foundation jumper revealed with tickets set to be available on March 4.

And O’Brien said he isn’t concerned about the possibility of protesters.

“We expect they’re going to go pretty quickly and go to people who are supporters of the team,” he said.

“I think the good people of Tasmania understand this is a football club launch.

If people want to make political statements or other statements, there are plenty of other forums to do that.”

O’Brien also praised the recent appointments of Brad Cox-Goodyer and Jess Wuetschner to state program roles the last fortnight.

Ex-North Launceston coach Cox-Goodyer will be a talent pathways skills acquisition coach while former AFLW star Wuetschner will lead the Coates league girls’ team.

“The announcement and the formation of the club is the spark that is going to ignite interest and participation not only in footy but community sport.

“Having those sort of people involved is just a gift for that to happen.

“That’s what our club is about, our club is about community, our club’s about encouraging participation whether that’s as a supporter or a player.

“Those two are just wonderful examples of people that are now associated with the club and the AFL in Tassie.”