The longstanding partnership between major sponsor Ladbrokes and Greyhound Racing NSW is back on track

In music to the ears of NSW greyhound racing participants, the partnership between major sponsor Ladbrokes and Greyhound Racing NSW is back on track.

The deal between major sponsor Ladbrokes and GRNSW is on track

CHRISTMAS has come early for NSW greyhound racing participants with the longstanding partnership between Ladbrokes and Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) back on track.

A fortnight ago, this masthead revealed that the once iron-clad relationship between the two parties had fractured, so much so that Entain Australia, owner of Ladbrokes, had signalled its intentions to walk away from its lucrative $19 million contract with the sport’s peak body.

The mooted move followed a series of events in recent times that had left the wagering giant pondering its future as the sport’s major sponsor in NSW, a standing it has held for the best part of a decade, pouring tens of millions of dollars into all areas of the industry, most importantly at grassroots level.

With the future of the deal hanging by a thread, representatives of GRNSW led by board member Kevin Gordon entered into frenzied talks with Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon, in the hope of finding a pathway forward and mending the partnership.

And in what will serve as music to the ears of all NSW greyhound racing stakeholders, Mr. Shannon declared on Friday that a way forward had been reached, most notably for the benefit of the sport’s lifeblood, its hardworking clubs and participants.

“I’m happy to say that we’ve agreed on a pathway forward with a total reset of the relationship as we look ahead to a big 2025 and beyond,” Mr Shannon said.

“In the last few weeks Kevin Gordon has been magnificent to deal with personally and he’s got in there and got things done.

Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon

“Wayne Billett has also been proactive and very accommodating and we’re now at a point that we can confidently look ahead and not back.

“We have always been staunch supporters of the industry and very resilient through the ups and downs and never wanted to go down the road we did but thankfully that’s all behind us now.

READ: Ladbrokes Make Move To End $19m GRNSW Deal

“The clubs and the hard working participants are at the heart of this deal so to be able to find a way forward is what we were always after.

“My team are delighted about the news and are looking forward to starting the new year with a fresh start.”

Restoration of the partnership comes on the eve of the staging of the Ladbrokes sponsored Paul Wheeler Simply The Best (520m) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

The race, honouring the late, great Paul Wheeler, is the final Group 1 in New South Wales for 2024.

As the sport’s major sponsor, Ladbrokes boast signage rights at each NSW greyhound racing venue, while also holding naming rights to the biggest races, including the Million Dollar Chase and Golden Easter Egg.

Originally published as The longstanding partnership between major sponsor Ladbrokes and Greyhound Racing NSW is back on track