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Campaign for surnames on jerseys suffers setback after pushback from senior figures
Sam Kosack • February 4th, 2025 4:33 pm
Fan desire for player surnames on the back of jerseys has taken a hit after pushback from two senior NRL figures.
Canterbury-Bankstown CEO Aaron Warburton revealed on SEN 1170 Mornings that his club had submitted an application to the NRL to have player surnames put on the back of jerseys to much fan applause.
However, One New Zealand Warriors’ CEO Cam George opposed the idea, citing financial problems it would cause the club.
“I'd prefer to have my sponsor there to be honest for the commercial aspect,” George told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“We’re not a club-funded club, we’re a privately-owned club and the commercial reality for us is very important and taking One New Zealand off the back to put Mitch Barnett’s name on there, that’ll have a financial impact on us.
“From my perspective, with our circumstances for our club… I don't want it to financially burden us as a club.”
North Queensland Cowboys GM Michael Luck also broke down the complex operational arrangements that would need to be made.
“I don't hate it but then my mind jumps to the operational reality of it,” Luck said on SENQ 693 Breakfast.
“Week to week, I’m in charge of an apparel budget as well which gets bigger and bigger every year and if you go from spending 400 grand on kit to having new jerseys every second week for guys then that jumps up a bit more but I do understand the appeal of it.
“I don’t think it's impossible. I think there's some intricacies there that clubs haven’t had to deal with since the Super League but there'd be a bit to get through with our commercial guys too; giving up that upper back spot or making that a little bit smaller.”
It is yet to be seen if the Bulldogs’ application will be approved by the NRL or if other clubs will support the proposition.
Image Credit: @thenrlroast
