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State of Origin: New South Wales Blues own Queensland Maroon fans
THEY always say Queensland owns State of Origin passion, but here is the proof otherwise.
NSW not only holds the Origin trophy but also “owns” their fans.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the NSW Blues recently purchased the trademark for Maroon Crusade — the fanatical 15,000 strong wig-wearing Maroons supporter base.
In a brazen coup, the Blues now have the rights to all merchandise and marketing with Queensland’s official supporter group.
And it almost happened by accident.The NSWRL recently paid $400,000 to take ownership of the of the NSW supporters group, Blatchys Blues.
It wasn’t until they were negotiating the deal that NSW chief executive Dave Trodden discovered the Queensland cheer squad came with it.
Both were owned by Dan Blatchy, who sold the business to the NSWRL.
“Everything in rugby league these days has a commercial aspect to it,” says Trodden.
“We own the trademark, the business name and the intellectual property that goes with it.
“Maroon Crusade is a registered name and it belongs to us.
“We’d be interested in talking to the Queenslanders if they are interested in buying it.”
Interestingly, Maroon Crusade are already selling travel packages to Melbourne next year for the historic game at the MCG.
“If they sell seats to a group called Maroon Crusade, we can stop them doing it,” Trodden said.
“All the wigs and merchandise is patented as well.”
Meanwhile, Blatchys Blues in NSW continues to grow at a phenomenal rate.
So fast that ANZ Stadium management is now looking at seating arrangements for the 2015 series opener in May at Homebush.
Blatchys Blues are now likely to be seated at both ends of the Stadium — with 10,000 at each end a distinct possibility because they can’t all fit at the northern end.
Coach Laurie Daley and the Blues players have made no secret of the fact their fanatical home-ground support has played a crucial role in the Blues turning the tide against the Maroons.
NSW have turned ANZ Stadium into a Blues fortress — winning 15 of their 22 Origin games (with one draw) since 2000.
They have beaten the Maroons in four of their last five games at the Stadium.
The Blatchy’s Blues fan club has grown from a bunch of guys celebrating Blues tragic Dan Blatch’s 18thbirthday into rugby league’s biggest and most passionate supporters’ group.
So big the NSWRL paid in the order of $400,000 for the brand — and got some cane toads with it.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...land-maroon-fans/story-fnp0lyn3-1227131169418
- PHIL ROTHFIELD SPORTS EDITOR-AT-LARGE
- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
- NOVEMBER 22, 2014 12:00AM
THEY always say Queensland owns State of Origin passion, but here is the proof otherwise.
NSW not only holds the Origin trophy but also “owns” their fans.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the NSW Blues recently purchased the trademark for Maroon Crusade — the fanatical 15,000 strong wig-wearing Maroons supporter base.
In a brazen coup, the Blues now have the rights to all merchandise and marketing with Queensland’s official supporter group.
And it almost happened by accident.The NSWRL recently paid $400,000 to take ownership of the of the NSW supporters group, Blatchys Blues.
It wasn’t until they were negotiating the deal that NSW chief executive Dave Trodden discovered the Queensland cheer squad came with it.
Both were owned by Dan Blatchy, who sold the business to the NSWRL.
“Everything in rugby league these days has a commercial aspect to it,” says Trodden.
“We own the trademark, the business name and the intellectual property that goes with it.
“Maroon Crusade is a registered name and it belongs to us.
“We’d be interested in talking to the Queenslanders if they are interested in buying it.”
Interestingly, Maroon Crusade are already selling travel packages to Melbourne next year for the historic game at the MCG.
“If they sell seats to a group called Maroon Crusade, we can stop them doing it,” Trodden said.
“All the wigs and merchandise is patented as well.”
Meanwhile, Blatchys Blues in NSW continues to grow at a phenomenal rate.
So fast that ANZ Stadium management is now looking at seating arrangements for the 2015 series opener in May at Homebush.
Blatchys Blues are now likely to be seated at both ends of the Stadium — with 10,000 at each end a distinct possibility because they can’t all fit at the northern end.
Coach Laurie Daley and the Blues players have made no secret of the fact their fanatical home-ground support has played a crucial role in the Blues turning the tide against the Maroons.
NSW have turned ANZ Stadium into a Blues fortress — winning 15 of their 22 Origin games (with one draw) since 2000.
They have beaten the Maroons in four of their last five games at the Stadium.
The Blatchy’s Blues fan club has grown from a bunch of guys celebrating Blues tragic Dan Blatch’s 18thbirthday into rugby league’s biggest and most passionate supporters’ group.
So big the NSWRL paid in the order of $400,000 for the brand — and got some cane toads with it.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...land-maroon-fans/story-fnp0lyn3-1227131169418