State of Origin looking for a new naming rights sponsor

[boxhead]

THE high-profile State of Origin brand name is up for sale - at the juicy cost of $1 million a game.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal retail giant Harvey Norman has withdrawn as naming rights sponsors for the first time in 15 years.

NRL management has already begun an extensive search for a replacement.

Well-placed sources indicate the annual naming rights for rugby league's interstate series would be worth about $3 million. That equates to $12,500 a minute over the three games.

Harvey Norman has renewed its naming rights sponsorship four times since 1998, the latest deal spanning two seasons and ending this year.

The decision was "mutual" between the NRL and Harvey Norman, the two parties agreeing to "test the commercial value" of State of Origin.

Given the enormity of Origin, there is little doubt the NRL can secure more money now than through the previous Harvey Norman deal.

link...

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin-looking-for-a-new-naming-rights-sponsor-after-harvey-norman-pulls-out/story-e6frep5x-1226503407209

It should pull huge money its always in the top 10 ratings on TV every year.