Chammas Article

[BZN]

I addressed all the important parts, the HBG, is not carrying the load. The largest form of funding for the Wests Tigers come from the Wests Tigers and not the HBG, we got board reform and the club is trying to become self sufficient.

cochise, you say HBG isn't carrying the load yet also claim the largest form of funding comes from the Wests Tigers...not HBG.
That's a contradiction worth unpacking.

The fact is to my understanding, HBG is the financial engine behind Wests Tigers, whether you want to credit it or not.

Their venues generate significant revenue, particularly through pokies and hospitality that's channeled into the club.
Unless your suggesting Wests Tigers have somehow spun up an entirely independent income stream post reform [which hasn't been demonstrated publicly] your assertion doesn't hold.

To say "Wests Tigers are funding Wests Tigers" is circular.
Where do you think the clubs $$$ originates?
Without HBG's contributions... player development, pathways, and core operations would be threadbare.
That's not just my opinion...it's observable reality.

If you're advocating for self sufficiency, fantastic...but don't rewrite the current structure to suit the narrative.
A roadmap away from pokies dependence requires transparency, alternative revenue sources, and strategic partnerships.
Until then, dismissing HBG as non contributing is misleading at best.

 

[cochise]

cochise, you say HBG isn't carrying the load yet also claim the largest form of funding comes from the Wests Tigers...not HBG.
That's a contradiction worth unpacking.

The fact is to my understanding, HBG is the financial engine behind Wests Tigers, whether you want to credit it or not.

Their venues generate significant revenue, particularly through pokies and hospitality that's channeled into the club.
Unless your suggesting Wests Tigers have somehow spun up an entirely independent income stream post reform [which hasn't been demonstrated publicly] your assertion doesn't hold.

To say "Wests Tigers are funding Wests Tigers" is circular.
Where do you think the clubs $$$ originates?
Without HBG's contributions... player development, pathways, and core operations would be threadbare.
That's not just my opinion...it's observable reality.

If you're advocating for self sufficiency, fantastic...but don't rewrite the current structure to suit the narrative.
A roadmap away from pokies dependence requires transparency, alternative revenue sources, and strategic partnerships.
Until then, dismissing HBG as non contributing is misleading at best.

The NRL give all clubs a grant, i can't remember the exact amount but it is $13m+. This in reality is for the content thst the clubs provide that the NRL then sells to broadcasters. The HBG provided the Wests Tigers with $1.7m last year.

The Wests Tigers also be earn $1.6m from membership of 10000 and had the aim of a $8.5m corporate portfolio for this season.

So yes the majority of funding comes from the club itself and not HBG.

 

[IronFist]

cochise, you say HBG isn't carrying the load yet also claim the largest form of funding comes from the Wests Tigers...not HBG.
That's a contradiction worth unpacking.

The fact is to my understanding, HBG is the financial engine behind Wests Tigers, whether you want to credit it or not.

Their venues generate significant revenue, particularly through pokies and hospitality that's channeled into the club.
Unless your suggesting Wests Tigers have somehow spun up an entirely independent income stream post reform [which hasn't been demonstrated publicly] your assertion doesn't hold.

To say "Wests Tigers are funding Wests Tigers" is circular.
Where do you think the clubs $$$ originates?
Without HBG's contributions... player development, pathways, and core operations would be threadbare.
That's not just my opinion...it's observable reality.

If you're advocating for self sufficiency, fantastic...but don't rewrite the current structure to suit the narrative.
A roadmap away from pokies dependence requires transparency, alternative revenue sources, and strategic partnerships.
Until then, dismissing HBG as non contributing is misleading at best.

This bloke is purposely being obtuse, or plain dumb.

After the NRL grant of $18m, HBG funded $1.5m to Wests Tigers RLFC (2024).

In comparison to WT's regional rival, Canterbury Leagues funded $7m to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs RLFC.

HBG are hardly the financial engine behind Wests Tigers when they're contributing less than 10% of external funding to the joint. In contrast Canterbury Leagues contribute 30% to the Bulldogs. And this doesn't even include organic revenue streams which are all considerably higher at the Bulldogs.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

This bloke is purposely being obtuse, or plain dumb.

After the NRL grant of $18m, HBG funded $1.5m to Wests Tigers RLFC (2024).

In comparison to WT's regional rival, Canterbury Leagues funded $7m to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs RLFC.

HBG are hardly the financial engine behind Wests Tigers when they're contributing less than 10% of external funding to the joint. In contrast Canterbury Leagues contribute 30% to the Bulldogs. And this doesn't even include organic revenue streams which are all considerably higher at the Bulldogs.

From an observation point and not really knowing it also looks like they don’t put much money into the magpies cup side either

 

[IronFist]

From an observation point and not really knowing it also looks like they don’t put much money into the magpies cup side either

Every grade is operated by Wests Tigers RLFC.

The reserve grade team is just branded Western Suburbs Magpies, same as how SG Ball and Harold Matts teams are branded Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies. Organisationally, there is no separation! Every player, every coach, every support staff member that works with these teams are contracted or employed by Wests Tigers. The $18m NRL grant, the $1.5m HBG funding, and West Tigers organic revenue streams contribute to operating NRL, NRLW, reserve grade, Jersey Flegg, SG Ball, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matts, Lisa Fiola, Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley, and development (cubs) teams, as well as the club's administration, sales, community programs, and media requirements.

Operationally, all teams are administered by Wests Tigers RLFC at Concord. So you can see how the club is spread very thin financially.

HBG contribute funding to running Balmain Tigers DRLFC junior teams - $275k in 2024. They also contribute $225k to Wests Magpies, for what I'm unsure. Perhaps to assist Lidcombe Oval match days. I suspect this figure will be much higher for FY2025 given Wests Magpies have taken out a 21-yr lease on Lidcombe Oval now.

Wests Campbelltown support junior footy in Western Suburbs junior district and macarthur, group 6. They have nothing to do with Wests Tigers RLFC.

This myth of Wests Tigers teams, rep Magpies teams, and rep Balmain teams being operated by different parties needs to end. It's all run by the one organisation - Wests Tigers RLFC.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Shame most of those are 40-50 years ago (Blessed with a good memory)

Gotta take every small victory you can get I suppose?
Now it's just a magpie on the Sleeve...

... and a NSW Cup team, and junior rep teams, and ownership of the Wests-Ts 👍

 

[innsaneink]

Every grade is operated by Wests Tigers RLFC.

The reserve grade team is just branded Western Suburbs Magpies, same as how SG Ball and Harold Matts teams are branded Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies. Organisationally, there is no separation! Every player, every coach, every support staff member that works with these teams are contracted or employed by Wests Tigers. The $18m NRL grant, the $1.5m HBG funding, and West Tigers organic revenue streams contribute to operating NRL, NRLW, reserve grade, Jersey Flegg, SG Ball, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matts, Lisa Fiola, Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley, and development (cubs) teams, as well as the club's administration, sales, community programs, and media requirements.

Operationally, all teams are administered by Wests Tigers RLFC at Concord. So you can see how the club is spread very thin financially.

HBG contribute funding to running Balmain Tigers DRLFC junior teams - $275k in 2024. They also contribute $225k to Wests Magpies, for what I'm unsure. Perhaps to assist Lidcombe Oval match days. I suspect this figure will be much higher for FY2025 given Wests Magpies have taken out a 21-yr lease on Lidcombe Oval now.

Wests Campbelltown support junior footy in Western Suburbs junior district and macarthur, group 6. They have nothing to do with Wests Tigers RLFC.

This myth of Wests Tigers teams, rep Magpies teams, and rep Balmain teams being operated by different parties needs to end. It's all run by the one organisation - Wests Tigers RLFC.

This needs to be pinned!

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Every grade is operated by Wests Tigers RLFC.

This myth of Wests Tigers teams, rep Magpies teams, and rep Balmain teams being operated by different parties needs to end. It's all run by the one organisation - Wests Tigers RLFC.

... which is owned by the Holman Barnes Group.

The way I see it, if you own something, you’re entitled to kick in as much or as little funding as you like.

Anyone not happy with that, go make em an offer 🤷‍♂️

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

From an observation point and not really knowing it also looks like they don’t put much money into the magpies cup side either

So are we now saying our club is crap because we’re poor.
Give me a break. 🥴

 

[Telltails]

So are we now saying our club is crap because we’re poor.
Give me a break. 🥴

Given our position for an extended period of time and our inability to move forward compared to clubs who invest more into their organisations - it needs to be considered.
Otherwise we are just here to make up the numbers while torturing our supporters.

 

[Betterdays22]

Sarcasm.

Totally went over my head, apologies

 

[cochise]

... which is owned by the Holman Barnes Group.

The way I see it, if you own something, you’re entitled to kick in as much or as little funding as you like.

Anyone not happy with that, go make em an offer 🤷‍♂️

These answers are just on response to the claim that the HBG are carrying the Wests Tigers, Wests Tigers generate their own income that far more than the HBG grant.

I personally have no issue with the HBG ownership.

 

[IronFist]

... which is owned by the Holman Barnes Group.

The way I see it, if you own something, you’re entitled to kick in as much or as little funding as you like.

Anyone not happy with that, go make em an offer 🤷‍♂️

HBG own the license to operate Wests Tigers in the NRL. History shows in the past decade since they assumed majority control that they do it badly.

Any offer to HBG is purchasing the license, and requires approval from the ARLC.

It would be good to know why HBG are involved if they're not willing to provide sufficient investment for it to be successful.

 

[innsaneink]

So are we now saying our club is crap because we’re poor.
Give me a break. 🥴

Not poor....tight.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Given our position for an extended period of time and our inability to move forward compared to clubs who invest more into their organisations - it needs to be considered.
Otherwise we are just here to make up the numbers while torturing our supporters.

“Invest more into their organisation” 🤔
So don’t we have a wiz bang centre at Concord, two junior league nursery’s, and we’ve attracted a number of high profile players during recent seasons ...

We’re hardly in the Dickensian position of the Wests Magpies back before the salary cap when the club Secretary Ray Bernasconi would sweep out the changing sheds on game day.

CODE Sports earlier this year analysed the true dollar value of each clubs NRL squad and ranked Wests 10th (up from 17th last year).

 

[cktiger]

... which is owned by the Holman Barnes Group.

The way I see it, if you own something, you’re entitled to kick in as much or as little funding as you like.

Anyone not happy with that, go make em an offer 🤷‍♂️

Elias already did.

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Elias already did.

He clearly needed to pull a bit more cabbage
from his back door 🤷‍♂️

 

[Needaname]

What did I miss? Anyone keen to do an AI summary? Are the magpies back yet or have the Tigers completed the take over in full?

 

[coivtny]

What did I miss? Anyone keen to do an AI summary? Are the magpies back yet or have the Tigers completed the take over in full?

Both Balmain and Wests have been taken over by Dubbo CYMS, the powerhouse of the wests.

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Every grade is operated by Wests Tigers RLFC.

The reserve grade team is just branded Western Suburbs Magpies, same as how SG Ball and Harold Matts teams are branded Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies. Organisationally, there is no separation! Every player, every coach, every support staff member that works with these teams are contracted or employed by Wests Tigers. The $18m NRL grant, the $1.5m HBG funding, and West Tigers organic revenue streams contribute to operating NRL, NRLW, reserve grade, Jersey Flegg, SG Ball, Tarsha Gale, Harold Matts, Lisa Fiola, Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley, and development (cubs) teams, as well as the club's administration, sales, community programs, and media requirements.

Operationally, all teams are administered by Wests Tigers RLFC at Concord. So you can see how the club is spread very thin financially.

HBG contribute funding to running Balmain Tigers DRLFC junior teams - $275k in 2024. They also contribute $225k to Wests Magpies, for what I'm unsure. Perhaps to assist Lidcombe Oval match days. I suspect this figure will be much higher for FY2025 given Wests Magpies have taken out a 21-yr lease on Lidcombe Oval now.

Wests Campbelltown support junior footy in Western Suburbs junior district and macarthur, group 6. They have nothing to do with Wests Tigers RLFC.

This myth of Wests Tigers teams, rep Magpies teams, and rep Balmain teams being operated by different parties needs to end. It's all run by the one organisation - Wests Tigers RLFC.

Thank you for clarifying
They all look under funded imo.