Oh, Brothel! Football Team Finds Unusual Sponsor

MELBOURNE, Australia - A struggling Australian rules football team hopes to change its luck with a new sponsor, a brothel.

The Spellbound brothel, which opens next week, has signed a four-year deal with last-place Williamtown United.

In exchange for $4,600 a year from the brothel, players will wear Spellbound's logo on their jerseys, and an advertising sign will be displayed at all the club's home games.

Spellbound owner Sam Johnson said the deal also would include discounts for players and team officials.

"We're prepared to work out some trade-offs," she said.

Johnson denied the offer would upset the club's female supporters.

"Prostitutes don't take women's husbands or boyfriends; mistresses do," Johnson said. "The workers just want men for the money."

Australian Rules Football is a hybrid of rugby and Gaelic football that was first played in Victoria state more than 100 years ago. It involves kicking and passing an oblong ball - larger than an American football - with the 18-man teams scoring by putting it through goal posts at the end of the field.