CHEAT HEAT
Millions on line as sponsors reassess cricket deals
CRICKET Australia’s commercial partners are shocked, disappointed and concerned with the cheating scandal that has embroiled the Australian men’s team and have demanded a full explanation from the cricket administrator.
No partner is yet to announce it will pull its sponsorship following the ad- mission by Steve Smith of premeditated ball tampering and cheating in the third Test against South Africa.
Cricket Australia lists 16 lucrative commercial partners on its website — including some of Australia’s biggest companies like Commonwealth Bank, Qantas and Bupa.
Sponsors say the cricketing body got in touch immediately at an executive level following the scandal and have been satisfied Cricket Australia is treating this matter seriously.
The team’s biggest sponsor, Magellan Financial Group, said it was deeply concerned with the cheating.
“We are shocked and disappointed at this unfolding story and find any form of cheating abhorrent. We are waiting to see how Cricket Australia formally respond to this situation and can’t determine our response until we know the outcome, but we expect an appropriately robust response from them,” a spokeswoman said.
A Commonwealth Bank spokesman said it had demanded a full explanation of what happened in South Africa. “We are disappointed about the events that have emerged from the third Test in South Africa and have asked for a full explanation from Cricket Australia following the con- clusion of its investigation into this affair,” he said.
Health insurer Bupa said it was very disappointed with what has emerged but was standing by its sponsorship of Cricket Australia.
“We welcome the move for an investigation by the head of integrity and team performance and await the outcome.
“We believe the game of cricket in Australia is bigger than this incident and the health benefits the sport provides to Australian families is the foundation for our partnership with Cricket Australia,” a spokesman said.
A Toyota spokeswoman said she was confident Cricket Australia would resolve the issue quickly.
“We understand that the board and management of Cricket Australia are taking this matter very seriously. Toyota Australia is confident that Cricket Australia will take the appropriate steps in an effort to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”
A KFC spokeswoman urged Cricket Australia to take action to preserve the reputation of the game.
“This is very disappointing for the game of cricket and all Australian cricket fans. We believe it is appropriate for Cricket Australia to fully investigate the events surrounding the incident and to take action that protects the long-term reputation of the sport,” she said.
A Lion Nathan spokesman representing brand XXXX Gold said he was deeply concerned with the cheating. “Like the rest of Australia, we’re deeply concerned. This is not what you’d expect from anyone in sport at any level,” he said.
A Qantas spokeswoman said the matter was disappointing. “This is deeply disappointing and certainly not what anyone expects from our national cricket team. We are in discussions with Cricket Australia as this issue unfolds,” she said.
Optus and Milo declined to comment.