DIEHARD
10-11-06, 01:09 AM
RFL CONFIDENT OVER SPONSOR SEARCH
The Rugby Football League, who ended the 2006 season without sponsors for two of their three major competitions, have turned away potential backers for their prestigious Challenge Cup.
Richard Lewis, the League's executive chairman, is confident they will be able to find adequate replacements for Powergen and LHF Healthplan, who ended their support for the Challenge Cup and National League this year.
Super League sponsors engage have two years left on their deal for the game's elite competition and Lewis is happy to bide his time before settling on the right backer for the Challenge Cup, especially with the final set to return to Wembley in 2007.
"I'm very confident," he said. "We've turned down offers for the Challenge Cup because they weren't quite what we wanted. It's a fantastic property and has a very special place in British sport.
"And, as everybody knows, the position with Wembley is just about nailed on and that helps enormously.
"I wouldn't want to go into details but we have to consider the amount that is offered and what the potential partner brings to the party. We know that we'll be able to get the right partner.
Lewis, who said interest in the Challenge Cup included "one very firm offer", is also confident he can find a backer for the largely part-time National League.
http://www.sportinglife.com
The Rugby Football League, who ended the 2006 season without sponsors for two of their three major competitions, have turned away potential backers for their prestigious Challenge Cup.
Richard Lewis, the League's executive chairman, is confident they will be able to find adequate replacements for Powergen and LHF Healthplan, who ended their support for the Challenge Cup and National League this year.
Super League sponsors engage have two years left on their deal for the game's elite competition and Lewis is happy to bide his time before settling on the right backer for the Challenge Cup, especially with the final set to return to Wembley in 2007.
"I'm very confident," he said. "We've turned down offers for the Challenge Cup because they weren't quite what we wanted. It's a fantastic property and has a very special place in British sport.
"And, as everybody knows, the position with Wembley is just about nailed on and that helps enormously.
"I wouldn't want to go into details but we have to consider the amount that is offered and what the potential partner brings to the party. We know that we'll be able to get the right partner.
Lewis, who said interest in the Challenge Cup included "one very firm offer", is also confident he can find a backer for the largely part-time National League.
http://www.sportinglife.com