The proposed sponsorship deal between bookmaker Tom Waterhouse and the National Rugby League (NRL) has collapsed, according to Australian media reports.
Waterhouse had been in line to replace Tabcorp as the NRL’s betting sponsor, in a deal that was reportedly worth A$50m (€39.2m/$48.8m) over five years.
NRL general manager for strategy Shane Mattiske told ABC’s Four Corners programme that both parties had walked away from negotiations after being unable to agree terms.
The collapse of the proposed NRL deal is not expected to have any impact on Waterhouse’s sponsorship deal with Australian commercial broadcaster Nine Network, the league's free-to-air domestic rights-holder.