Sonny Bill Williams won't wear chief Super League sponsor due to his religious beliefs
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 1:45 am
Sonny Bill Williams will reportedly not wear the Super League's chief sponsor on Toronto Wolfpack's jersey because of his religious beliefs.
Super League has been sponsored and named after British betting company BetFred since 2017.
Williams has joined the Wolfpack on a two-year deal worth a reported $10 million and the 34-year-old could make his debut for the Super League newcomers against Castleford Tigers in Leeds on February 2.
Toronto chairman Bob Hunter told the UK's Daily Telegraph that Williams will refuse to have the betting company's logo on his jersey.
"We're in discussions with Super League about this, but Sonny has been very clear in his stance on the matter," Hunter told the Daily Telegraph.
"I think Betfred will benefit by taking the position that we respect and honour the player's religious beliefs.
"In today's society there are some very sensitive issues but I think the sponsor can say 'yes, okay, we understand this. He's a big brand and big name but we get it'."
Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009, adopted a similar stance when covering up BNZ's logo on his Blues jersey in Super Rugby in 2017.
It was his Blues debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin and Williams taped over the bank's logo on the jersey's collar.
Williams wore a unique jersey for the rest of the season with Plunket, a national non-profit organisation providing care and support for parents and pre-school children, stitched on in place of BNZ.
He said at the time: "My objection to wearing clothing that markets banks, alcohol and gambling companies is central to my religious beliefs.
"While a logo on a jersey might seem like a small thing to some people, it is important to me that I do the right thing with regards to my faith and hope that people respect that."
Islam specifically objects to interest banks charge, as well as alcohol, drugs and gambling.
Hunter said the Wolfpack were still deciding how best to cover up the BetFred logo on the former All Black's jersey.
"I can't say how it will work on a practical basis, but the league [Super League] may want an alternative," Hunter told the Daily Telegraph.
"Maybe something to prop up another sponsor, but again those discussions are still to be had."
Williams played his 58th and final All Blacks test in the Rugby World Cup last November but has returned to league, six years after his last appearance in the 13-man code for Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
He joins the Wolfpack, a Canadian league club who only started competing professionally in the UK in 2017, for their first season in Super League, the northern hemisphere's elite competition with 10 English clubs and one French.
It could be the final chapter of his illustrious sporting career, which started in league with Canterbury Bulldogs, included a stint as a professional heavyweight boxer, World Cup wins with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015, as well as NRL titles with the Bulldogs and Roosters in 2004 and 2013 respectively.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/11 ... us-beliefs
Super League has been sponsored and named after British betting company BetFred since 2017.
Williams has joined the Wolfpack on a two-year deal worth a reported $10 million and the 34-year-old could make his debut for the Super League newcomers against Castleford Tigers in Leeds on February 2.
Toronto chairman Bob Hunter told the UK's Daily Telegraph that Williams will refuse to have the betting company's logo on his jersey.
"We're in discussions with Super League about this, but Sonny has been very clear in his stance on the matter," Hunter told the Daily Telegraph.
"I think Betfred will benefit by taking the position that we respect and honour the player's religious beliefs.
"In today's society there are some very sensitive issues but I think the sponsor can say 'yes, okay, we understand this. He's a big brand and big name but we get it'."
Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009, adopted a similar stance when covering up BNZ's logo on his Blues jersey in Super Rugby in 2017.
It was his Blues debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin and Williams taped over the bank's logo on the jersey's collar.
Williams wore a unique jersey for the rest of the season with Plunket, a national non-profit organisation providing care and support for parents and pre-school children, stitched on in place of BNZ.
He said at the time: "My objection to wearing clothing that markets banks, alcohol and gambling companies is central to my religious beliefs.
"While a logo on a jersey might seem like a small thing to some people, it is important to me that I do the right thing with regards to my faith and hope that people respect that."
Islam specifically objects to interest banks charge, as well as alcohol, drugs and gambling.
Hunter said the Wolfpack were still deciding how best to cover up the BetFred logo on the former All Black's jersey.
"I can't say how it will work on a practical basis, but the league [Super League] may want an alternative," Hunter told the Daily Telegraph.
"Maybe something to prop up another sponsor, but again those discussions are still to be had."
Williams played his 58th and final All Blacks test in the Rugby World Cup last November but has returned to league, six years after his last appearance in the 13-man code for Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
He joins the Wolfpack, a Canadian league club who only started competing professionally in the UK in 2017, for their first season in Super League, the northern hemisphere's elite competition with 10 English clubs and one French.
It could be the final chapter of his illustrious sporting career, which started in league with Canterbury Bulldogs, included a stint as a professional heavyweight boxer, World Cup wins with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015, as well as NRL titles with the Bulldogs and Roosters in 2004 and 2013 respectively.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/11 ... us-beliefs