Wildcats deal biggest in club's history
The Perth Wildcats have pulled off a major coup in the build-up to the 2012-13 NBL season by landing the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the club's history.
State Government body Healthway has increased its support of the club in a deal worth $1.5 million over the next three seasons.
It is understood to be one of the largest sponsorship agreements in the NBL and extends Healthway’s 20-year association with the Wildcats.
Healthway’s “Alcohol Think Again” message will displayed across the front of the team’s playing strip throughout the life of the deal.
Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin – who has previously been forced to axe a player for failing a drug test – denied the sponsorship would put extra pressure on the current players to act as role models for the community.
“We’ve hand-picked every person in our organisation from the head coach to the guy that wipes the floors and we all share the same core values,” Marvin said.
“If it is pressure then we shouldn’t be in this relationship. Are we going to make mistakes? I hope not, but we might.
“We’re all human, but it is what we aim to do and our track record and all I have is a foundation for where we’re heading.”
Co-captain Shawn Redhage echoed Marvin’s sentiments and said the Wildcats were committed to promoting the message of a healthy lifestyle.
“The culture that Bevo (coach Rob Beveridge) has brought in since he’s come in and the guys that we have here, we feel strongly about this,” Redhage said.
Healthway chairwoman Dr Rosanna Capolingua said the Wildcats were a perfect fit for her organisation.
“They have been prepared to make the tough decisions in the past and their success has inspired an increasing number of West Australians,” Dr Capolingua said.
“The team members are role models, admired by many young people.”
The Wildcats open their 2012-13 campaign away to New Zealand in Auckland on October 5.
