Why is Woodside sponsoring Fremantle’s AFL team – and will the climate crisis shift the relationship?
Summary
Woodside Energy, an oil and gas company, sponsors the Fremantle Dockers AFL team mainly to build goodwill with the community and policymakers. This sponsorship aims to create a positive image rather than sell products, but it has faced criticism due to Woodside’s role in fossil fuel emissions and climate change.Key Facts
- Woodside Energy sponsors the Fremantle Dockers AFL team by putting its logo on the team's jersey.
- The company does not sell products directly to sports fans, so the sponsorship is about community goodwill.
- Fossil fuel companies like Woodside use sponsorships to gain public support and help with government and local approvals for projects.
- Similar sponsorship examples include Bravus (Adani’s Australian business) sponsoring the North Queensland Cowboys near its coalmine.
- The sponsorship has sparked criticism and campaigns calling for Woodside to drop its logo due to its environmental impact.
- Woodside and Fremantle claimed a shared “focus on sustainability” when renewing their sponsorship, though Woodside recently dropped some emissions targets.
- Woodside also sponsors many youth programs and community activities, including Surf Life Saving WA’s “nippers” program for children.
- Climate groups warn that fossil fuel sponsorships in sports and schools expose children to industry influence, even when organizations rely on this funding.
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