Telstra has denied reports by News Corp Australia the telco is planning to end its 17-season naming-rights sponsorship with the NRL.
Telstra told The Australian Financial Review the reports it would be downsizing it an NRL minor sponsor were incorrect, and Telstra would be seeking to extend its current deal.
“Reports that Telstra is looking to not renew our NRL naming rights are untrue,” a Telstra spokesperson said.
“We are proud of what we have built with the NRL to date and are in negotiations to continue our partnership beyond 2017. We are unable to comment further as negotiations are ongoing.”
An NRL spokesperson welcomed the Telstra statement: “Telstra is a long-term and valued partner and we naturally look forward to further discussions with them”.
Last week saw massive sports deals signed by both Channel Nine and Channel Seven. News Corp, Telstra and Seven West Media signed a monster $2.5 billion six-year deal for AFL rights.
On the other side of the sponsorship field, Channel Nine secured the rights to the NRL until 2022 with a reported $925 million deal.
