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22 December 2002 South Sydney's annual $1.5 million sponsorship backing from the wealthy Souths Juniors club may be under threat only one season into the senior club's second coming to the NRL. At best, it appears that the Juniors will give Souths $500,000 next year, leaving the club a $1million-a-year shortfall on their predicted income. In recent years, Souths have won heavy backing from the Juniors, but there appears to be no hope that they will be able to provide the Rabbitohs with anything near the level of financial support of recent years. "With everything that has been going on I think we can definitely say that we won't be able to commit the same amount to Souths again next year," Juniors boss Frank Cookson said. But Cookson refused to offer any figures. "We are not about to announce that in the media when we haven't settled on a figure and we haven't discussed that with Souths," he said. "We should know towards the end of January where we stand. "The club has been hurt financially by the changes to the trading hours. We've lost a lot of business by not being able to stay open 24 hours and there could be further changes to that which will bite into the club more. "Because of that and a few other things we must examine our commitment to Souths and they know we are doing that. "It's just a bit too early to say exactly what we are going to do. I can't speak for the Juniors on that matter at this stage." But The Sun-Herald is aware that a faction at the Juniors doesn't want to give Souths any money at all from next season on, believing they have already offered enough help to the senior club. But as a long-time friend of Souths boss George Piggins and his wife Noeline, Cookson is likely to fight against that view. The more likely scenario is that the Juniors will grant Souths $500,000 a year - still leaving them significantly out of pocket. Last season the Rabbitohs attracted about $5million worth of sponsorship, their return to the competition making them the most marketable club in the NRL. But after a turbulent season, the club has turned over a chief executive, Paul Dunn, and its marketing and sponsorship staff, leaving Dunn's replacement, David Tapp, covering all three responsibilities for now. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/12/21/1040174437652.html 21 December 2002 David Tapp has been unanimously voted in as South Sydney's chief executive. Tapp had been the interim CEO since Paul Dunn resigned towards the end of last season. He was appointed at a board meeting on Thursday night. Souths chairman George Piggins said on the club�s website that Tapp was the ideal candidate for the position. �David is astute and has a great rapport with staff, sponsors and fans and has the full confidence of the Board.� �We believe David has exactly what it takes to guide Souths successfully into the future,� he says. Tapp is looking forward to the challenge. �I am honoured and thrilled to be confirmed in the position,� says Tapp. http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=33731 21 December 2002 SOUTH Sydney has released a statement insisting the National Rugby League club would not exceed the salary cap in 2003. "And furthermore it is not the `third club' to exceed the salary cap in 2002, as has been reported in some sections of the Sydney media today," the statement said. "Suggestions that the South Sydney Rabbitohs breached the NRL's $3.25 million salary cap during the 2002 season are completely false.Rabbitohs say they won't exceed cap in 2003 . "In fact, the club was several hundred thousand dollars below the maximum limit." The Rabbitohs said the NRL had recently completed a full audit of Souths and found the club to be "well below the salary-cap maximum". "In reference to the 2003 season, the club will not exceed the salary cap," Souths said. "Due to recent findings the board was not previously aware of, the club discovered that it may have been exposed to a potential salary-cap. "This is a projected assessment only and will be managed so that salary-cap restrictions in 2003 are met by Souths." http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5671894%255E23214,00.html |
