Greens up in arms at Star Casino sponsoring Sydney FC

SYDNEY FC has gone some way to securing its future, landing a sponsorship deal with The Star Casino.

The A-League club, which is set to take on Perth Glory on Friday, secured a potential $1 million-plus front of shirt sponsorship deal with the NSW casino.

The Star Casino’s logo will be featured on the front of the Sky Blues strip, mirroring deals that Western Sydney Wanderers (NRMA) and Melbourne City (Etihad) have signed.

The two-year deal is a long time coming, with the Sky Blues looking for a major sponsorship partner since the team decided to end its four-year deal with Webjet, which was reportedly worth $500,000 per season.

According to Fairfax Media, the deal is worth $900,000, which is in the same range as rival codes, including the NRL receive for jumper sponsorship.

It’s likely Sydney FC was able to cement the deal due to the A-League being broadcast by a major free-to-air network for the very first time. Adding more value to Star’s sponsorship deal with Sydney FC, is the club’s berth in the 2018 Asian Champion’s League.

“I am delighted to be announcing this partnership and to be welcoming The Star Sydney into the Sky Blues family for the next two years,” Sydney FC chairman, Scott Barlow, said.

“We are two of Sydney’s most iconic brands coming together. The Star and Sydney FC are companies dedicated to providing premium entertainment to all Sydneysiders.

“We believe it is a great fit and we’re excited by the opportunities it presents.”

Sydney FC played with the Star’s logo for the first time when they took on the Wanderers at Allianz Stadium. The new sponsor addition wasn’t enough to secure the team a win on the night, drawing 2-2 at full time.

But not everyone is happy with the new deal, with Greens Gambling Harm spokesperson, Justin Field, claiming the deal has threatened the teams’ “family-friendly image”.

“Sydney FC can’t credibly be a family friendly club if it exposes children and families to gambling advertising on every player’s shirt at every single game,” Field said in a media release.

“The Sky Blue players, including club legend and captain Alex Brosque, are important role models for children and young people.

“This can all be undone when the experience of watching the game can’t be untangled from exposing our children to gambling advertising and promotion of the Star Casino.”

The government recently announced new gambling advertising restrictions, including a ban on promoting sports betting markets during live sporting events on television before 8:30 pm.

The NSW Blues also faced backlash when the club announced the Star, which has sponsorship deals with South Sydney Rabbitohs, the Sydney Swans and the Big Bash cricket team Sydney Sixers, would be its major sponsor for the 2017 State of Origin series.