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Raiders, Huawei extend NRL sponsor deal

3 minute read

Controversial telecommunications giant Huawei will continue its sponsorship of NRL side Canberra until at least the end of the 2021 season.

NRL side Canberra have announced a two-year extension to their sponsorship agreement with controversial telecommunications giant Huawei.

The Chinese multinational technology company has been excluded from Australia's rollout of 5G networks on national security grounds, but has firmly rejected the concerns as baseless.

The new deal for the Raiders will take their partnership with Huawei to the 10-season mark in 2021.

The agreement was hailed on Thursday as one of the longest-running commercial partnerships in Australian professional sport.

As part of the deal Huawei will also take over the naming rights of the Canberra Districts Rugby League Centre in Braddon, which will become the future headquarters of the Canberra Raiders.

First signed in 2012, the Raiders sponsorship was Huawei's first major sports sponsorship anywhere in the world.

Huawei Australia chairman John Lord said the deal was a sign of his company's "deep commitment to long-term engagement in the Australian market".

"Although the last year has been a challenging one for us the Raiders have stuck by us as loyal friends and partners and we deeply appreciate their support," he said.

Raiders CEO Don Furner said the NRL club had achieved a lot from the partnership.

"This relationship is more than just a logo on a jersey, we continue to work with Huawei on a number of very important community initiatives and fundraising opportunities for very worthwhile causes," he said.

Canberra, who are fourth on the NRL ladder, take on Cronulla at GIO Stadium on Thursday night.

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