NRL's Bulldogs lose $2 million sponsorship following player scandal

The NRL's Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have reportedly lost a $2 million major sponsorship deal with family restaurant chain Rashays as a result of a 'serious' code of conduct breach by two of its players.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the Bulldogs were set to announce the two-year deal yesterday (Tuesday) evening, having agreed to terms with Rashays after long-time sponsor Kia left the club for the Brisbane Broncos this year.

However, Rashays are understood to have withdrawn from the deal as a result of Bulldogs players Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor having been stood down just ahead of the NRL season opener due to code of conduct breaches.

The pair are reported to have brought "two young females" who they met during an outreach visit to Newman Senior Technical College in Port Macquarie to promote rugby league.

Although there is no criminal investigation into the incident, as the girls were above the age of consent, the players breached the team’s policy, which states that women aren’t to be brought back to accommodation during team events.

It’s believed the Bulldogs contacted Rashays to inform them of the incident before the restaurant chain pulled out of the deal.

The Bulldogs had spent the off-season searching for a major sponsor, with captain Josh Jackson appearing at last week’s NRL launch as the only club representative wearing a jersey without a sponsor.

With the Bulldogs due to play the first round of the 2020 NRL season this Thursday, it’s likely the club will now be without a major sponsor.

Image: The Bulldogs are currently the only NRL team without a shirt sponsor for 2020. Image courtesy of the The Bulldogs.