Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Tinkler hands Newcastle Jets licence back to FFA

Tinkler hands Newcastle Jets licence back to FFA
April 10, 2012

Nathan Tinkler, the billionaire owner of the Newcastle Jets, has decided to return the licence for the A-League club to Football Federation Australia (FFA).

In a press release issued this morning, the Hunter Sports Group (HSG) announced that it will not be fielding a Newcastle Jets team in the 2012/13 A-League season.

Citing that it had invested almost $12 million since stepping in at short notice to save the ailing club less than 18 months ago, HSG stated that it had been unable to resolve a variety of issues with the FFA.

These include the payment of $5 million for the acquisition of the franchise in 2010, a fee which HSG has argued was too high, and the ongoing wrangle over the insurance of marquee signing Jason Culina who was released by the club without playing a game following the revelation of a long-term knee injury.

HSG also questioned what it referred to as the "unsustainable financial model" for the A-League's management, highlighting the FFA's own report which identifies combined club losses in excess of $27 million for the 2012 financial year.

In a media release HSG Chief Executive Troy Palmer said it was a difficult decision but one forced on HSG by a breakdown in confidence with the FFA.

"As a keen Jets and football fan this has been a tough decision and I am aware the impact this will have on members, players, coaches, fans and the entire football community.

"I am particularly saddened for members and supporters who have embraced our community model, which has been accepted in so many areas as a successful and unique way to engage the entire community and build the A-League brand.

"It is also frustrating to have invested so much time, energy and money to save the Jets for the community at short notice and then continually hit road blocks at the FFA.

"It should never be forgotten that when we stepped in to save the club it was insolvent, there were only 500 members, diminishing crowds, minimal community engagement, no merchandise programme and negligible corporate support.

"During the 2011/12 season we believe we turned this around to be seen as leaders in all these areas.

"Unfortunately, having lost confidence in the FFA management and its ability to find a resolution, it is clear we have no other option.

"It is about removing ourselves from an administration in which we have an untenable relationship."

HSG also highlighted that a critical factor in their decision had been the impasse and an inability to have clear communication to discuss the Club's controversial acquisition fee, with Palmer adding "we have attempted to organise meetings with the FFA to discuss our $5 million acquisition fee, with our only condition being we must be advised what other clubs have paid, if anything, why acquisition fees vary, how much of a success fee was paid to the FFA's agent and how the money was used.

"Having rejected our terms on every occasion we had no confidence a consistent and rational explanation for the fee would be forthcoming, particularly after inflammatory media comments from the FFA."

To ensure continued support of football in the Hunter region, the HSG will invest in a high performance academy to develop young players and provide a pathway to showcase their abilities and maximise their talent and potential.

Under the revised strategy of the HSG, $1 million will be invested annually to encourage local children to play football and propagate the game in the region.

3rd March 2012 - FFA REJECTS MISLEADING HUNTER SPORTS GROUP


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

GEOFF NINNES FONG AND PARTNERS

Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Design / Venues

 
 

Exerp

Exerp is a global IT specialist in member management software for the fitness and leisure industry. By focusing on the needs of large enterprises, where streamlining, control and scalability are…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

TicketSearch Pty Ltd

TicketSearch is focused on providing businesses, organisations, and venues with affordable, efficient, and powerful self-managed ticketing solutions. The organisation has offices in Australia, New…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

BH Fitness

BH Fitness, part of the long-standing and iconic bike manufacturer BH Group, is a global leader in fitness equipment for both Commercial and Home markets. The company, with the headquarters based in…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

SimplySwim

    SimplySwim is a school management solution that helps swimming school owners and managers optimize operations by automating functions such as managing class schedules, billing and…

read more

Aquatics / Education / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

Sportybots

We are the leading providers of kids fun multi-sports programs for Sport and Recreation Centres. Programs cover twelve common sports as well as Gross Motor Skill Development and suit children from as…

read more

Fitness / Play / Recreation / Sport / Wellness

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business