THE NT Government will continue as the single biggest financial sponsor of the scandal-plagued Parramatta Eels, after corporate sponsors have abandoned the team over ongoing police investigations and alleged fraudulent activity.

A spokesman for Chief Minister Adam Giles said the Government is still committed to hammering out a new deal with the beleaguered club to come back and play even more games in the NT next year.

“The Government is currently negotiating a new deal with the NRL that will continue the relationship with the Eels,” the spokesman said. “The relationship promotes the Northern Territory in western Sydney, which is Australia’s biggest market, and supports rugby league in the Territory.”

The Eels are coming off a four-year, $4 million deal to play at least one game a year in the Territory that will expire next year.

The club has been mired in scandal, including rorting the league’s salary cap, alleged under-the-table payments to players, player drug convictions and sex tapes.

On Thursday, NSW police announced a special task force would be investigating the team for the salary cap breaches, including possible money laundering and fraud.

The NRL is also investigating the club for the possible tampering of invoices and other financial records.

Mr Giles mused last year about ending the Government’s funding deal with the club, saying that the team’s struggles could not be allowed to tarnish the Territory’s reputation.

“If you’re a member (of the Eels club) out there, it can’t be good, I can’t imagine all the members would be happy with the infighting that goes on,” he said last August.

Last month, he said the NT was committed to the Eels.

“All publicity we get is good. Of course, we don’t like seeing the governance issues but the Territory Eels are here to stay,” he said. “We’ll renegotiate the contract and make sure we get the best bang for our buck from a tourism point of view.”