RFL Super League Leave Stobart Deal

The Rugby Football League today began the search for a new sponsor for Super League after scrapping the controversial deal with the Stobart Group.

The League signed a three-year deal with Stobart in January, but the clubs have decided to exercise an opt-out clause after 12 months.

The RFL received no cash from the agreement, although the Super League clubs and players were advertised on 100 of Stobart's famous green trucks and they argued at the time that the deal could be worth up to £2.5million a year.

The vote to accept the Stobart deal was far from unanimous, however, and the governing body came in for fierce criticism from several clubs for rejecting a cash offer from a betting company who wanted to take over from previous sponsors Engage Mutual Assurance.

On Tuesday the RFL attempted to put on a brave face over the about-turn, pointing out that, since entering into the partnership, Super League had increased its TV audience by 45 per cent and experienced record attendances.

Super League commercial director James Mercer said: "We are delighted at the success of our one-year partnership with Stobart and the exposure that this ground-breaking concept has created.

"The partnership has placed the sport in a wonderful position to move into the next cycle of our commercial strategy in 2013.

"Innovation has always been at the heart of the Super League and this collaboration showcased the creativity and unity of our clubs.

"With a combined TV audience of over 25 million, huge attendance levels and a national and international expansion the sport is well placed for an exciting future."

Stobart Group chief executive Andrew Tinkler said: "Stobart Group is pleased to have contributed to the promotion and success of the Super League in 2012, with a 45 per cent increase in television audiences.

"The plan was always to review the partnership after the first year and we've decided to step back and allow the RFL to work with commercial partners that can offer the financial support it needs to further develop.

"As such, both parties have mutually agreed to end the collaboration at the close of the season."

Stobart Sponsors Super League

Super League will be sponsored by nationwide logistics company Stobart in 2012, the Rugby Football League has announced.

Stobart, who are the principal shirt sponsors of Super League newcomers Widnes and have naming rights to their Halton Stadium, are taking over from Engage Mutual Assurance, who called a halt to their seven-year sponsorship of the game's elite competition at the end of last season.

A statement from the governing body said: "The RFL confirms that Stobart Group has today agreed heads of terms to secure title naming rights to Rugby League's Super League."

The RFL has not divulged the length of the contract but say details of the new partnership will be unveiled at a news conference next Wednesday. The new Super League season starts on Friday, Feb 3, when Widnes host Wakefield and Leeds launch the defence of their title against Hull KR.

Widnes have made former Wigan and Hull full-back Cameron Phelps their 15th signing ahead of their return to Super League.

The 26-year-old Australian, who made 19 appearances for Hull last season, has signed a two-year contract with the Vikings subject to him receiving the necessary visa.

"I have been keeping myself in good shape by training with Canberra Raiders back home and I'm really looking forward to the fresh new challenge in front of me," said the former Canterbury Bulldogs player, who made 44 appearances for Wigan from 2008-10.

"It's an exciting time to be involved at the Vikings and I'm looking forward to helping the team in their push towards the finals.

Widnes coach Denis Betts added: "To unearth a player of Cameron's calibre, literally weeks before the start of a new season is a massive bonus and having him on board adds even more competition for places and greater strength in depth to our squad."

Auckland's Eden Park has been chosen to host the ANZAC Test between New Zealand and Australia on Friday, April 20.

Stobart Consider Super League

The Rugby Football League is confident of having new Super League sponsors in place before next month's kick-off.

RFL officials say they are making progress in their efforts to replace Engage Mutual Assurance, who called a halt to their seven-year sponsorship of the game's elite competition at the end of last season, and hope to make an announcement within the next fortnight.

Nationwide logistics company Stobart, who are the principal shirt sponsors of Super League newcomers Widnes Vikings and have naming rights to their Halton Stadium, have been heavily touted as a replacement.

But the RFL is also talking to other companies and could agree partnership deals with a number of sponsors in a structure similar to football's European Champions League.

An RFL spokesman said: "We are still speaking to several potential sponsors and expect to make a series of exciting announcements later this month."

The new Super League season starts on Friday, Feb 3, when Widnes host Wakefield and Leeds launch the defence of their title against Hull KR.

Meanwhile, illness has forced second rower Mike Burnett and centre Tony Martin to miss Hull's pre-season training camp in Tenerife.

Burnett, 23, who has returned to the KC Stadium after a season-long loan at Harlequins, was taken to hospital for an operation to remove his appendix after he reported having stomach cramps.

With a recovery time usually estimated around two weeks, Burnett could be struggling to make the start of Super League on Feb 5.

Martin, who has joined Hull from Crusaders, also had to stay behind after being struck down with a flu virus before the squad left.