‘Disappointed’ Knights sponsors to review deals with embattled club

Tim Burrowes

March 3, 2010 10:32

Key sponsors of the Newcastle Knights, including McDonald’s and Bluetongue beer are reviewing their relationship with the embattled rugby league club.

It comes in response to a second Knights player, Chris Houston, charged with supplying drugs. It follows a similar charge made against former teammate Danny Wicks.

The club’s sponsors include McDonald’s, Energy Australia, Coal & Allied, NIB health insurance, Bluetongue beer and NBN.

Coal & Allied is the naming rights sponsor for the club. The three-year agreement is due to expire at the end of this year with an option to extend for an additional year.

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.

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1 COMMENTS

Gordon Whitehead 3 Mar 10

As a Newcastle Knight’s supporter I hope the sponsors stay and look to the future.

But like with most rugby league clubs, the Knights is run by ex-rugby league players and small business men (no women) that have no idea or experience in managing a major sporting brand. It’s board of directors is more like a private club.

I can understand if the sponsors go, but I wish they and other rugby league sponsors stay and demand clubs become more professional. The first thing they could do is employ more professional sporting administrators and marketers rather than giving jobs to the old boys.

Go the Knights!!!

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