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he Cronulla Sharks have announced a new back of jersey partnership for the NRL Finals with restaurant franchise, Rashays.

Rashays owner, Rami Ykmour, told Ministry of Sport the Sharks have done business ‘to an amazing standard’, after previously being signed on as a partner of the Bulldogs, before player controversies led to Rashays ending their partnership early.

“It’s not so much that it’s a better fit [than the Bulldogs], it’s just the timing and what went on with the Bulldogs wasn’t correct, that’s all it was,” Ykmour told Ministry of Sport.

“There were just very unfortunate circumstances that happened around the club back then, and it wasn’t the right decision to continue with the sponsorship.

“Where the Sharks, I like to show my support for the NRL and for the community and that was a chance for us in supporting the Sharks.

“We’re 100% Australian, so to be able to support, especially in a game that I grew up loving and playing, it warms my heart, and I know my customers, we have a lot of NRL customers, so for us to be a part of the game I think it makes them feel good about the brand they visit,” he said.

When asked about the future of the partnership beyond the 2020 NRL Finals series, with the Sharks now being eliminated, Ykmour said Rashays is hopeful, and gave high praise to the Sharks for the existing partnership.

“We’re in talks for next season, we’ll see where things end up, but we would love to be with the Sharks, or any other NRL club anywhere we can to support the game and be a part of the community,” Ykmour said.

“All the business we have done with them has been to an amazing standard, they’ve been top notch in everything they’ve done,” he said.

Sharks CEO, Dino Mezzatesta, said he was thrilled to sign Rashays for the end of the 2020 season.

“It is no secret that Rashays and the entire restaurant and hospitality industry has been through a difficult time during this COVID period, but for Rami and the Rashays team to throw their support behind the Sharks and to have the belief that we can help lift their profile and be of benefit to them in driving business back to their restaurants, is a great endorsement of what our club has to offer,” Mezzatesta said.

Rashays ended their partnership with the Bulldogs before the 2020 season began, amid the player sex scandal the club faced, which resulted in two of the clubs’ players, Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor, being stood down.

The Bulldogs still appear to be having difficulties with sponsors, with their major sponsor, Laundy Hotels, recently threatening to end their affiliation with the club if any boardroom changes are made, despite a widespread call for three high-profile board members to be removed.