Woodside oil company funds Fremantle as climate pressure rises on the deal
Woodside Energy sponsors Fremantle to build goodwill and support with policymakers. It is not to sell products.
When an oil and gas company puts its name on an AFL team's jersey, it is not trying to sell anything to fans. Fremantle supporters cannot buy Woodside Energy oil at a petrol station.
Fossil fuel firms like Woodside use sports sponsorships to build social capital and goodwill. Sponsorship goodwill protects them when their operations face criticism.
Woodside relies on state and federal policymakers to expand and operate. Community campaigns can block projects.
Mining and oil companies sponsor teams near their operations to create positive feelings about the company. Fremantle's top ticket holder is Kevin Parker.
He is the frontman of Tame Impala. During finals, he covered the Woodside logo on his jersey.
This reignited calls to drop the sponsor over climate concerns. Woodside renewed its deal with Fremantle at the end of 2024.
The company claimed both had a focus on sustainability. That position is harder to defend now.
- Kevin Parker, Tame Impala frontman
- Ticket holder
- Woodside holds the deal
- Sponsor tenure
- End of 2024
- Renewal year
Why it mattersThe sponsorship shows how companies use sports to shape public opinion on climate and environment. It raises questions about whether teams should accept money from carbon-heavy industries.
AustraliaFremantle is an Australian icon. Their sponsorship choices affect how fans and the public view climate action and corporate responsibility in Australian sport.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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