The Rugby League World Cup has been threatened with legal action by sports advertising group European Sports Media (ESM), according to TheBusinessDesk.com.
The report says ESM was due to host hundreds of guests at Hotel Football opposite Old Trafford before they headed to Saturday’s final with match tickets, but the World Cup’s revenue director Mick Hogan is believed to have contacted ESM on Thursday informing that they are selling unofficial hospitality packages and that their guests must buy new tickets to attend the final.
Hogan is reported to have demanded a ‘hospitality premium’ which ESM have refused to pay, while the advertising group also denied the packages are unofficial. However, the threat forced them to contact their guests advising them to buy new match tickets which will likely cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
ESM, who have been a key commercial partner for rugby league’s major competitions and clubs in the UK for many years, has told the Rugby League World Cup team it will be taking legal action to recoup its losses. It’s believed ESM first bought World Cup final match tickets more than two years ago, with Paul Sculthorpe, Adrian Morley and Ralph Rimmer reportedly among the guests to the event at Hotel Football.
A Rugby League World Cup spokesperson told TheBusinessDesk.com: “The RLWC is in dialogue with ESM regarding a potential breach of the ticketing terms and conditions. As things stand, no tickets have been cancelled by the World Cup team and we remain committed to finding a solution.”
To read the full reported story on TheBusinessDesk.com, click here.
Warrington Wolves
Sam Burgess makes decision on future following South Sydney links
Huddersfield Giants
Jake Connor takes swipe at Leeds Rhinos fans
