Hancock Prospecting has withdrawn its $15 million sponsorship deal with Netball Australia just a day out from the Diamonds’ Constellation Cup decider against the Silver Ferns, saying it did not wish to add to the sport’s “disunity problems”.
It comes after Diamonds players said they did not want to wear uniforms featuring the logo of the mining company owned by Gina Rinehart due to concerns raised by squad member Donnell Wallam relating to their sponsor’s record on Indigenous issues.
Australia’s netball captain Liz Watson fronted media on Tuesday to explain the Diamonds’ stance.Credit:Scott McNaughton
The Diamonds’ stance, closely followed by reports Pat Cummins had raised objections over Cricket Australia’s deal with energy giant Alinta, sparked debate over athletes’ rights to pick and choose their sponsors.
Under the deal, Hancock Prospecting would have provided $15m in sponsorship over four years to the sport’s governing body, which recently announced $7m in losses over the past two years.
Netball Australia said the issue of the logo on team uniforms would be resolved at the end of the Constellation Cup series but on Saturday, Hancock Prospecting released a statement announcing their withdrawal from the proposed sponsorship deal.
“Hancock and Roy Hill do not wish to add to Netball’s disunity problems, and accordingly Hancock has advised Netball Australia that it has withdrawn from its proposed partnership effective immediately,” the statement read.
Hancock said it would continue to provide money to the sport for the next four months to give it time to secure funding from elsewhere.
A subsequent statement from Hancock laid bare Rinehart’s disapproval of sports organisations’ engagement in social or political causes.
“Hancock and its Executive Chairman Mrs Rinehart, consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as a vehicle for social or political causes,” the statement read. “There are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling or for self-publicity.
“The reality is that sponsorship is integral to sports organisations – for full time professionals right through to the grassroots level. Hancock has, and always will, ensure its sponsorship is spent on and for the athletes.
‘There are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling.’
Hancock Prospecting
The mining company also rejected reports that it required the Diamonds to wear its logo during the Constellation Cup series when playing overseas.
“Hancock would only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo if athletes are proud to do so,” it said.
Tensions between the governing body and the Netball Players Association were another factor in Hancock’s decision, according to their first statement.
“Hancock and Roy Hill were not made aware prior to the proposed partnerships, of the complexity of existing issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association,” the statement read. “This includes the Players’ Association’s endeavours to gain a very substantial increase in wages during a time the sport is reeling financially, and unable to provide such an increase.”
While the initial deal has been withdrawn, Hancock have offered a 4-month sponsorship to Netball Australia and Netball WA, if their players wish to accept it, while the governing body arranges alternative funding.
Netball Australia has been contacted for comment.
