Netball Australia has been making headlines for its sponsorship saga with Gina Rinehart's mining company, Hancock Prospecting.
The $15 million deal appeared to be a lifeline to the sport. But after Diamonds players chose to not wear the mining company's logo in support of Indigenous player Donnell Wallam, the plug was pulled.
Now, there's a scramble to regain the much-needed funds while placating both parties.
But how did we get here? Here are five things you need to know.
What is going on?
Last month, Netball Australia (NA) announced a $15 million sponsorship deal with Hancock Prospecting, owned by billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
The sponsorship, continuing until the end of 2025, was set to go towards the sport's high-performance program.
Hancock Prospecting was set to feature on their uniforms as part of the deal.
Last week, the Diamonds wore their old uniforms without the branding in the clash against New Zealand in the Constellation Cup series.
Over the weekend, the mining company announced it will would withdraw the sponsorship. It would also pull funding for The West Coast Fever, a team in the Super Netball League.
They pledged to supply four months of financial support while both teams found other sponsors.
Why did the Diamonds play without the Hancock logo?
Last week, it was reported that Donnell Wallam, the third Indigenous player in the Diamonds' history, held reservations about bearing the company's logo.
In 1984, Lang Hancock, founder of Hancock Prospecting and father of Rinehart, suggested a plan that would kill off 'troublesome' Indigenous people.
Mrs Rinehart has never publicly addressed or distanced herself from those comments.
Wallam's teammates reportedly rallied around her, and the Diamonds played in uniforms without the logo against New Zealand.
But the CEO of Australian Netball Players Association, Kathryn Harby-Williams, on Monday said there was an agreement with Netball Australia to "come to the table" at the end of the international window to talk through issues.
"We wanted to reach a position that both parties were happy with so that the partnership could move forward," she said.
Ultimately, Wallam found the pressure "too much" and decided she would wear the logo, explained Ms Harby-Williams.
Wallam, and the rest of her Diamonds teammates, agreed to wear the Hancock logo during the series against England starting this week.
A day later, Hancock Prospecting pulled the sponsorship.
Why did Hancock withdraw the money?
Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting released two separate statements on Saturday — first announcing the withdrawal of the $15 million sponsorship and the second addressing athlete activism.
In its first statement, the company said it was not not aware of "the complexity of pre-existing issues between Netball Australia and the Players Association", citing supposed agreements on the uniform.
The second statement implied media publicity was the root of the cause.
"Hancock and its executive chairman Mrs Rinehart consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as the vehicle for social or political causes."
The company said that "sport was at its best when it focused on good and fair competition" and "… there are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling or for self-publicity."
It mentioned there was "more impactful means to make a beneficial difference" and cited Hancock's Hanrine Futures—which provides a "true pathway for Indigenous students through education and into employment".
The second statement ended with Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting emphasising that they only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo "if the athletes were proud to do so".
"Recent media disreporting has been disappointing, particularly given at no stage did Hancock insist its logo be worn on the Australia Diamonds' playing dress for the recent games in New Zealand, nor did the Australian Diamonds refuse to wear the Hancock logo."
Why does this matter for Netball Australia?
The sponsorship being pulled is a massive blow to the sport's financial future.
Just a few months ago, it was reported the sport had lost $7.2 million in two years and needed to pay $4 million in debt by 2023.
NA CEO Kelly Ryan denied that the sport was on the verge of financial collapse, but said that the organisation must look for "commercial opportunities outside the sport" and would consider accepting gambling sponsorships.
Netball Australia said there was no boycott of the playing kit but it was decided "it was not in the best interests of the players, the sport or Hancock Prospecting to wear the dress at this time", and doubled down on the partnership, saying NA and Hancock were working "to acknowledge and recognise the sensitivities" within the playing group.
"They understand the commercial realities of the sport and were really pleased that Hancock Pros had chosen the sport to invest in."
What’s happening now?
It's a bit up in the air at the moment.
On Sunday, the Diamonds won the Constellation Cup trophy back with an epic championship third quarter in the final game of the series,
Before the win, NA and Diamonds skipper Liz Watson both publicly supported the Hancock deal during the week.
"We're great supporters of Hancock, we want to make this partnership work with them … and I'm confident it is going to resolve really soon," Watson said on ABC News Breakfast.
Netball Australia boss Kelly Ryan also responded to accusations of virtue signalling from the organisation.
"Mrs Rinehart's views are hers and we fully appreciate them," she said.
"There's an important role that sports organisations do play … to create a safe environment to have really strong social conversations.
"But there needs to be a balance in terms of the commercial realities of that, to make sure you continue to invest in the future of your sport.
"Both are incredibly important to any organisation; it's about trying to strike that right balance."
Support has also flooded in for Wallam.
Former Wallabies captain and now independent senator David Pocock said Wallam was "so courageous" and represented a modern shift by athletes.
Kathryn Harby-Williams acknowledged Wallam was "incredibly brave".
