Parramatta chief executive Ken Edwards has downplayed fears the doping scandal hovering over the NRL will frighten off sponsors as the Eels announced the loss of their longtime backer.
Edwards on Tuesday revealed major sponsor Pirtek would end its nine-year association with the Eels at the end of the season - a rumoured $AU1.5million a year asking price proving too high to continue the partnership.
Parramatta's decision to part ways with Pirtek came on the same day Cronulla revealed a $AU1million-a year naming rights sponsor for their home ground had walked away in light of the anti-doping saga.
The Sharks were one of six NRL clubs named in the Australian Crime Commission's report into the suspected use of banned substances by clubs.
There have been murmurings by some club officials about the possibility of legal action over the financial hit some franchises have taken.