27/9/2009 - Bears show their financial claws with rich new deal
THIS is the moment the Central Coast Bears proved they were serious about NRL admission.
This exclusive photo shows Bears chief executive Greg Florimo and Mortgage House managing director Ken Sayer inking a multi-million sponsorship deal which will guarantee the franchise $3 million in its first three seasons in the NRL.
The North Sydney Bears are attempting to rejoin the league as a Central Coast side in Gosford in 2013 and have taken several important steps to turn the plan into reality. But perhaps the most crucial development came in the Parramatta offices of Mortgage House on Friday morning when they signed a five-year contract which will provide immediate financial benefits for both parties.
The contract, which has an extension clause, is one of the most lucrative club sponsorships in the game. While several NRL clubs, including the Roosters and Cronulla, are yet to secure a major backer for 2010, the Bears have overcome a tough economic climate - and the fact they aren't even in the competition - to sign a deal which underpins their financial strategy.
''This is a major breakthrough for the Central Coast Bears,'' Florimo told The Sun-Herald. ''We're able to deliver a premium brand into the game and we don't even have a licence yet.
''That proves our ability as a business and the fact we can deliver the game fantastic opportunities.
''It shows that a major brand wants to be part of this journey and we want the journey to end in a licence for this team.''
Mortgage House has a long association with rugby league, having sponsored teams including Parramatta, Melbourne and the Roosters. Asked why the company chose to back a team without even a guarantee of a licence, Sayer said: ''We've been involved in sports sponsorship before but we've never been there from ground zero, it has always been established clubs.
''This is significantly more hands-on for us. This is essentially one step removed from being a shareholder. When it comes to advertising, marketing, brand-building, investing in a franchise - it's all of the above.
''We hope to bring additional corporate accounts to the table as well. It's about being very close to being part of the action, without being in it.''
The Bears have already appointed David Fairleigh as coach and Brad Clyde as football manager, and have earmarked Wests Tigers forward Chris Heighington as their first signing and captain.
Other coming initiatives include the official opening of an office on the Central Coast and the launch of a foundation membership drive. ''The Central Coast Bears are the best thing to happen to rugby league for a long time and it's time for the NRL to stand up to endorse and qualify our bid,'' Florimo said. ''I think every CEO - and that includes [NRL chief executive] David Gallop - needs to take notice.''
13/7/2009 - Bears will again be dominant force in Rugby League
http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/bears-will-be-again-be-dominant-force-in-rugby-league-says-central-coast-nr/
12/7/2009 - Investors ready to put cash into Bears
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/investors-ready-to-put-cash-into-bears-florimo/2009/07/11/1247258265063.html
21/5/2009 - Bears ready if Sharks fall
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25517613-23214,00.html
Official response from Greg Florimo regarding Manly's threat to take over the North Sydney District 13/5/2009
In response to comments from Manly CEO Grant Mayer and the Manly proposal to 'change our boundaries', the North Sydney DRLFC would like to reaffirm our commitment to Rugby League on the North Shore of Sydney. For over 100 years we have provided an opportunity to players/officials/referees and fans to be involved in our great game, and this is not about to change. The assumption by Grant Mayer that North Sydney will abandon our territory is wrong. In fact, with the birth of the Central Coast Bears we will grow to become a formidable force once again and will provide top class Rugby League to residents from Milsons Point to Lake Munmorah.
10/5/2009 - Bears ready to return if Sharks go belly up
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/bears-ready-to-return-if-sharks-go-bellyup/2009/05/09/1241727659836.html
7/5/2009 - Bears and Sharks exchange barbs over Gosford move
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25440500-5001023,00.html
6/5/2009 - Bears bid still on track
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/06/2562683.htm
20/4/2009 - Bradley Clyde named new Football Manager for the Bears
18/4/2009 - Fairleigh good news for the Bears
http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/fairleigh-big-future-for-the-bears/
11/4/2009 - Heighington can BEAR to wait if Central Coast get up
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/heighington-can-bear-to-wait-if-central-coast-get-up/2009/04/11/1239223100588.html
8/4/2009 - Bears near deal for push to the coast
http://digitaledition.northshoretimes.com.au/
25/3/2009 - Bears push for inclusion in 2012
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,25240466-5003409,00.html
23/3/2009 - Central Coast Bears aim to play Manly at North Sydney Oval
http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/sport/list/category/rugby-league/
22/3/2009 - Legends unanimous in calling for Central Coast team
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/legends-call-for-central-coast-team/2009/03/21/1237526389793.html
22/3/2009 - Bears get a new logo
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/bears-get-logo-now-for-an-nrl-jersey/2009/03/21/1237526389790.html
12/3/2009 - NRL Door Open
http://www.sunweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/nrl-door-open/1457083.aspx
29/1/2009 - Bears' NRL Bid
http://www.sunweekly.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/bears-nrl-bid/1419517.aspx
9/1/2009 - Florimo aims for 2011
http://www.northsydneybears.com.au/Bears%20Den/News/Reports/20090109-florimo-aims-for-2011.htm
24/12/208 - The NRL needs to hand a license to the Central Coast.
The Roar.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/12/24/the-nrl-needs-to-hand-a-licence-to-the-central-coast/
14/12/2008 - Fairleigh's got the clipboard if Bears win NRL re-entry. Sydney Morning Herald.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/fairleighs-got-the-clipboard-if-bears-win-nrl-reentry/2008/12/13/1228585181059.html
12/12/2008 - Greg Florimo in talks with NRL CEO David Gallop regarding bid.
7/12/2008 - Bears deserve revival. Sydney Morning Herald. Phil Gould column.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/bears-deserve-revival/2008/12/06/1228257386365.html
5/12/2008 - Out of hibernation, Bears launch golden bid for Central Coast inclusion. Sydney Morning Herald.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/out-of-hibernation-bears-launch-golden-bid-for-central-coastinclusion/2008/12/04/1228257230908.html
4/12/2008 - The great coach Wayne Bennett has endorsed our bid for inclusion stating in the Illawarra Mercury today that "But I was pleased to see recently they want to put the Bears back in Gosford as the Central Coast Bears. I think that'd be a great concept and I hope they can pull it off one day".
4/12/2008 - CEO of the NRSDRLFC, Greg Florimo holds talks with the CEO of the Gold Coast Titans regarding their successful bid. Flo will use these talks to iron out any inabilities our bid may have.
http://rugbyleaguelive.com.au/MultimediaPopUp.aspx?MediaID=1456
30/10/2008 - Bears launch bid for return to NRL
http://www.sunweekly.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/bears-launch-bid-for-return-to-nrl/1345625.aspx
