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New Cronulla CEO Lyall Gorman has refused to guarantee bringing in a major sponsor before the start of the 2015 NRL season but said he will change the perception of the NRL club.
Former A-League boss Gorman, who also held the CEO position at the Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers, is regarded as one of the best sports administrators in Australia.
Gorman has been linked with positions at Racing NSW and AFL club Carlton since leaving the Wanderers at the end of last season and Sharks chairman Damian Keogh is confident the appointment will give the club a huge lift.
“The appointment heralds a new beginning for the Sharks,” Keogh said.
“Lyall has a mandate to take this club into the future and through the meetings with myself and other board members during the recruitment process it is clear we share a vision for the type of club we want to build.”
Gorman was the architect of the stunning rise of the Wanderers, who in less than three years of existence have become the Asian champions.
The club were only created three months before the start of the 2012/13 season and against all odds went on to become minor premiers.
Gorman admits it will be a far bigger challenge turning around the Sharks, who are still seeking a first premiership in their 47-year history.
“Our goal is to change the narrative of the club and repositioning its brand … it’s not the easiest thing to do with a March kick-off,” Gorman said.
“What we have to do is not get seduced by the wrong choice of sponsor just for the sake of having one.
“I’d rather not have a sponsor than have the wrong sponsor.
“We need to get one that is aligned to our vision and brand and if it doesn’t happen by then, then I am confident we will be in a better position to have major sponsorship.
“I haven’t tested the market yet for the Sharks but we have had strong partners here before like LG and Toyota and I am sure we will again.
“If we don’t have the right sponsor by the start of the year then we will run out with blank shirts.”
Gorman also believes the stain of the ASADA probe and the presence of coach Shane Flanagan, who has recently returned from a NRL-imposed ban, won’t damage the club further.
“I think Shane has great ability as a coach,” he said.
“We have a great assistant in Steve Price and a new sports science team, and holistically our football department has been taken to a whole new level.
“The past will never cloud my future and alongside Shane I have a lot of faith we can work together and build a new future.”
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