Alex Pearce says Woodside sponsorship makes him uncomfortable
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce spoke at a climate event. Speaking for sponsor Woodside felt uncomfortable.
Alex Pearce spoke to 200 people at a Perth climate event on Monday. Pearce was on a panel about protecting playing spaces.
When asked how he felt speaking for Fremantle's major sponsor Woodside, he said: uncomfortable. Pearce said boards and club leaders make the final sponsor choices.
But players, fans and community members have real influence through public pressure. A petition with 8,000 signatures called for dropping Woodside when the sponsorship renewed in 2023.
More recently, Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker is Fremantle's top ticket holder. He blocked out the Woodside logo on his jersey during an American tour.
Pearce also raised a deeper concern. Climate change and heat will reshape sport for future generations.
His professional team has doctors and unlimited resources to manage training in hot weather. Community sports across Australia do not.
- Woodside
- Sponsor
- 2010
- Sponsorship since
- 8,000
- Petition signers in 2023
- 200 people
- Event audience
Why it mattersPublic tension between athletes and sponsors over values can shift corporate partnerships. Pearce's openness signals real pressure on Fremantle to reconsider.
AustraliaThe Fremantle Dockers sponsorship dispute shows Australian sports fans and players willing to challenge major corporate partnerships on environmental and ethical grounds.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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