FAN: Clive Palmer.
UPDATE: Bendigo Spirit sponsor MyJet has joined the campaign for mining magnate Clive Palmer to attend the WNBL grand final at Bendigo Stadium on Sunday.
MyJet Charter operates one of the few corporate jets able to land at Bendigo Airport and has offered to fly Mr Palmer from a nearby airport in Mildura, Essendon or Sydney.
"The runway at Bendigo isn't long enough for a large jet like Clive's to be able to land. The closest airports he could touch down are Essendon or Mildura," MyJet managing director Chris Richards said.
MyJet has also offered the billionaire a spot in its corporate box to watch the match.
"We understand that Clive has a busy schedule," Richards said. "While we don't want to give too much away to the Townsville Fire, it would be great to have Clive here to personally support his team, which similar to regionally-based Bendigo Spirit, has shown it can punch well above its weight in a national competition."
EARLIER:
Mining magnate Clive Palmer could be coming to Bendigo Stadium for Sunday’s WNBL grand final.
Mr Palmer yesterday responded to a campaign started by Bendigo Bank Spirit’s opponents, Townsville Fire, for him to attend the game.
From his Twitter account @CliveFPalmer he tweeted:
“I’m hoping to make it to Bendigo to support @TownsvilleFire in Sunday’s grand final against the @BendigoSpirit #fireuptownsville #wnblgf.”
Mr Palmer saved the Fire from extinction two years ago after his company Queensland Nickel came on board as major sponsor.
City of Greater Bendigo mayor Lisa Ruffell yesterday joined the campaign and sent out a challenge to the billionaire.
“If Townsville wins on Sunday, I’m prepared to make Clive Palmer mayor for a day,” Cr Ruffell said.
“If Townsville loses, as I expect they will, Clive should agree to don Bendigo Spirit’s colours for a full day when he’s next in Townsville.”
Follow the game via the live blog at bendigoadvertiser.com.au or on the @BgoAddySport Twitter account.
The match will also be broadcast live on ABC TV from 3.30pm.