Brookvale Oval is set to be renamed “Lottoland” in a seven-figure sponsorship deal aimed at securing Manly’s NRL future. The Sea Eagles’ beloved home ground will be rebranded as part of a naming rights deal which is expected to be finalised over the coming days, the Manly Daily reported.

Under the terms of the deal, the northern beaches ground will be renamed after the online lottery company and a giant 85-metre billboard erected on the Pittwater Road side of the oval.

It’s been touted as key to the planned upgrade of the ground with Sea Eagles chief financial officer Neil Bare declaring fans will support it if it would “save rugby league” in the region.

“This is the first step towards the upgrades,” Bare told the Manly Daily. “At the moment we are in the submission stages of an upgrade for Brookvale Oval. This sort of support form a key corporate partner we need to move forward with those plans.”

The Northern Beaches Council expressed reservations about the billboard promoting a gambling company, however, they are powerless to stop it. Its precursor Warringah Council gave up naming rights powers during contract negotiations last year.

Brookvale Oval is considered one of the most outdated suburban NRL stadiums still in operation. The Sea Eagles have secured $25 million in state and federal funding for a 4000-seat stand but are seeking a long-term full upgrade.

The club and the council were two years ago involved in a dispute over unpaid hiring fees after the Sea Eagles demanded answers over the state of the pitch and ground.