Sharks officials are breathing a sigh of relief with a key sponsor today reaffirming its support of the embattled club, despite losing face over assault charges faced by star player Greg Bird.
The lucrative sponsorship deal with sleeve sponsor PKF Chartered Accountants was rumoured to be lost but after an emergency meeting between Sharks boss Tony Zappia, coach Ricky Stuart and PKF management - the sponsorship was conditionally salvaged.
"Following these discussions, I would like to announce that PKF will continue to support the Cronulla Sharks on the condition that a proportion of PKF’s sponsorship spend be put towards a formalised player welfare program focussed on the development and mentoring of all Shark’s players," said PKF chief executive David Ratcliffe in an email to his staff.
"Certainly, on the basis of the introduction of such a development program for the Shark’s players, PKF will remain associated with a team who shares PKF’s core values of respect, trust and integrity."
PKF is in the first year of a three-season deal with the club, after agreeing to provide the Sharks with up to $300,000 a season.
But after Bird was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm after allegedly glassing his girlfriend in the face, the company was reportedly worried its reputation will be tarnished by being involved with the club.
