Sydney Thunder have been left blindsided by GWS' multi-million-dollar deal for the AFL franchise to take on the naming-rights for their home-ground at Sydney Olympic Park.
The Giants announced their landmark arrangement with the Royal Argicultural Society last week, to have the Sydney Showground known as Giants Stadium 365 days a year.
But Sydney Thunder, who use the venue as their home-ground from December to February for the BBL, have reportedly given clear indication they’ll refuse to acknowledge the new title over the summer.
As reported by News Limited, Cricket NSW argue that the financial cut on offer is not enough to warrant the name change.
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Speaking on Macquarie Sports Radio on Wednesday, GWS board member Jimmy Bartel slammed the Sydney Thunder as 'greedy' due to their limited use of the venue.
“They’ve got their nose out of joint because they feel like they’re giving a free kick to AFL,” Bartel told the program.
“I get you’re sticking up for your sporting franchise, but the fact is they did none of the legwork in raising this money. The Giants have gone above and beyond and done this.
“If they’re going to squabble over an extra $50-$80K, they’re just being greedy. The amount of money we’ve been able to get for them, for two months of the year, is more than they were getting from Spotless or from any other corporate of business partner.
“You’re just throwing the toys out of the cot here. You’re only there for two months of the year, now if you want to call it something else then go ahead, but any of the stadium naming is still going to remain Giants Stadium.
“And here’s the problem for them, they can’t go and sell it off for two months of the year anyway, because we’ve already got the deal.”
With eight months until the ninth season of the Big Bash kicks off for the summer, it's understood that Sydney Thunder are hoping to come to a resolution before their first match at the home-ground.
Until then, Thunder Nation will continue to refer to the venue as Sydney Showground Stadium.
Hi Jim the new venue naming agreement is between GWS Giants and Sydney Showgrounds. Discussions with the venue operators are ongoing but for now the home of the #ThunderNation is being referred to as Sydney Showgrounds Stadium.
— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) March 22, 2019
According to News Limited, the Royal Agricultural Society believe that all these entities will benefit finanically by the privately funded name change.
