Holden Looking To Withdraw $3M Collingwood Sponno Over McGuire ‘Joke’

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Published

June 20, 2016

The backlash for Collingwood president and Triple M presenter Eddie McGuire continues, after he was called out for joking about drowning AFL journo Caroline Wilson. After copping heat for offering a non-apology, he eventually backed down and apologised last night.

Doesn’t look like the heat is off, though. Holden – who sponsor Collingwood to the tune of $3 million – have condemned McGuire’s comments and have suggested that they are ‘revising’ the sponsorship deal with his club.

@Mister_Ed_2/2 Holden is engaging with Collingwood to directly express our disappointment and discuss the future of our sponsorship – Lauren

— Holden (@holden_aus) June 20, 2016

They have been described as “hugely unhappy” with Eddie, and are seeking a meeting with Collingwood boss Gary Pert to sort it out. Holden currently have naming rights over Collingwood’s headquarters at Olympic Park.

The Collingwood football club could now lose millions in sponsorship, following Eddie McGuire’s comments. #9Today https://t.co/s9XvIuQMra

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) June 20, 2016

Spokesperson Sean Poppitt issued a statement:

Holden prides itself on diversity, inclusion and social responsibility – they are cornerstones of our business and culture. Comments like these, regardless of their intent, have no place in today’s Australia and reflect poorly on the Collingwood Football Club, its fans, stakeholders and sponsors.

The Collingwood board are reportedly meeting tonight to discuss what is going to happen next. Presumably there will be some form of rebuke for McGuire, which was not forthcoming from the AFL itself.

Apart from the usual suspects, the response to McGuire’s latest controversy has been pretty united. Even the Herald Sun have published an opinion piece suggesting that he ought to resign.

Look, even if you think this is just a big storm in a teacup and isn’t that big a deal, it’s pretty hard to deny that McGuire running his mouth constantly distracts from the game itself. He says a lot of dumb shit that doesn’t belong in footy in 2016 – especially when its trying to engage in diverse community outreach.

Let’s see how this pans out.

Source: Herald Sun.

Photo: Getty Images.