After months of uncertainty Melbourne has finally secured Hankook, the South Korean tyre company, as its major sponsor. The three year deal with the tyre giant is believed to be worth about $2 million.
The deal means that all clubs now have a major sponsor going into the season. At the start of 2009 Melbourne joined Richmond and the Western Bulldogs as clubs without a major sponsor. Melbourne were close to coming to a deal with Mission Foods before the Bulldogs beat them to it signing on for a three year deal worth $4.5 million. Richmond were quick to sign up LuxBet when the AFL changed their sponsorship rules allowing it to happen.
It was feared that in the economic crisis the Demons could enter the season without a major sponsor after it chose to wear the Victorian Bushfire Appeal logo on its jumper during the NAB Cup.
The good news keeps coming, along with the Hankook the Demons are confident of signing another major sponsor which will see the two sponsors share the front and back of the Melbourne guernsey.
Melbourne president Jim Stynes said, “This partnership takes the Melbourne Football Club a considerable way towards meeting its sponsorship targets for 2009, while maintaining the opportunity for another partner to sponsor the back of the Club guernsey.”
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