Online dating service offers to sponsor Cronulla Sharks
An online dating service that encourages extra-marital affairs has offered to sponsor embattled NRL club Cronulla.
Fairfax has reported that Ashley Madison – an online company whose slogan is "Life is short. Have an affair" – has tabled at offer worth more than $10 million.
Cronulla has been in financial turmoil for years and was hit hard by an NRL-imposed fine of $1 million for their controversial supplements program. The club announced last week they are appealing the NRL’s sanctions.
Fairfax has obtained a letter from Ashley Madison founder and chief executive Noel Biderman to Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce, which outlines a deal worth $11 million over ten years.
It follows up an approach Biderman made to former Sharks chairman Damian Irvine in 2012.
"I wanted to follow up from our discussions last year with Damian Irvine regarding potential sponsorship opportunities," the letter reads.
"I have been following the club with great interest and was saddened to read about the recent heavy sanctions imposed on the club by the NRL.
"As a former lawyer and sports agent – sports runs through my veins so I would like to enter into a discussion regarding our support for the Cronulla Sharks and would like you to consider our role in its future. Like many other brands, we feel a mutually beneficial partnership can be forged to create opportunities for both sides.
"AshleyMadison.com is prepared to offer a significant financial injection into the club on the following basis: AshleyMadison.com will pay $1,000,000 fine imposed by the NRL in return for front of jersey naming rights.
"AshleyMadison.com will pay $10,000,000 over a 10-year period for stadium rights, subject to negotiation of a binding sponsorship agreement that is satisfactory to both parties.
"We hope you are interested in exploring this opportunity with us. Thank you for your consideration and we’ll look forward to hearing from you soon."
When contacted by Fairfax, Noyce said he was unaware of the offer.