After Audi bagged Starc, Mercedes now after Steve Smith amidst payment dispute

After Australian pace spearhead, Mitchell Starc, became the first Australian party to sign a sponsorship deal with a rival sponsor of Cricket Australia, by signing the endorsement contract with Audi, Mercedes is now after Australian captain Steve Smith to take advantage of the ongoing turmoil in Cricket Australia.

Earlier, Starc took the provocative step of aligning with a rival to one of Cricket Australia’s protected sponsors as the sport’s industrial war rages on. The players now are trying to rile on the sponsors of Cricket Australia with their association with rival sponsors. According to reports, Steve Smith is very close to signing a deal with the automobile giants ‘Mercedes Benz’ who are rivals to Cricket Australia’s ‘protected sponsor’ Toyota.

Marathon session of negotiations between Cricket Australia and the Australia Cricketers’ Association continues today. According to reports from Daily Telegraph, Starc’s move of signing a deal with rival sponsors Audi has angered one of CA’s top corporate partners Toyota, due to his public announcement on social media.

KFC wants resolution within the two parties

The decision of sponsorship occurred only through the approval of Cricket Australia. However, without an MOU in place, the players are free to promote any brand publicly and Toyota is not protected any longer. Steve Smith’s manager could not be reached for comment regarding the sponsorship agreement

Apparently, KFC directed ACA and CA to ‘resolve their dispute ASAP for the sake of the game and it’s understood other leading sponsors are also fed up’. Matthew Hayden hoped that the ongoing tiff between the two parties gets resolved soon. “I hope the matter gets sorted out soon. The players being the second stakeholders after the fans would certainly want a share of the pie. There are some wise heads on both sides (ACA & CA) who can make sure that the new financial model, which is the bone of contention, can be as successful as it was for the past two decades,” commented Hayden according to the Hindu.