The ACT Brumbies have moved to lock in their financial future by finalising a deal with major sponsor Aquis, despite fears their future partnership would hinge on the result of the ACT election on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Aquis has committed to the 2017 Super Rugby campaign and there are clauses in the contract that could trigger extensions until the end of 2020.
However, the prospect of a long-term partnership between the Brumbies and Aquis will likely be reliant on the out come of the election.
Aquis signed an $8 million, six-year deal at the start of 2015 but the original deal had certain activation clauses to continue the agreement.
Aquis committed to the Brumbies with the view of being part of a future Civic redevelopment with rights to revamp the Canberra Casino.
The landscape for redevelopments could change if there is a voting swing at the election on Saturday and a Liberal or Labor government will have a major bearing on the Brumbies-Aquis future.
It was revealed in May that Aquis had an option to exit the deal this year to allow the company to take into account the government's decision on poker machines.
But despite a year plagued by off-field drama and chief executive Michael Jones leaving the club, Aquis is standing by the Brumbies.
"It's a great boost for the Brumbies and community rugby in Canberra," said interim Brumbies boss Phil Thomson.
"Without their support there are a lot of initiatives we wouldn't be able to take. So Aquis' commitment is very welcome here.
"In the current landscape of sporting sponsorships, securing a major sponsorship like Aquis is a major relief.
"They haven't wavered during the 2016 season with the off-field issues we had and they've been very loyal to the organisation."
Aquis has also signed on to increase its commitment to community and grassroots programs, including the women's sevens.
"I'm particularly proud that we've been able to increase our support around both women's and community rugby," said Aquis chief executive Jess Mellor.
The Brumbies are in the process of finalising a short list to find a permanent successor to Jones after he parted ways with the club following an ugly boardroom saga.
Thomson has stepped in to take the reins for the past five months and will continue in the chief executive position until a replacement is found.
The Brumbies hope to appoint a new leader by the end of the year, with chairman Robert Kennedy forming a selection committee to find the best candidate.
The Brumbies board is also pushing through changes to the club's constitution to fine-tune its back-room operations and have a more professional approach to appointing directors.
