HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[BAGNF05]

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Once again, I’m glad to have fellow supporters who are prepared to stand up. We deserve stability, success and people in charge who actually want the best for Wests Tigers. A now retracted HBG statement blowing up the good work of the past year is the last straw in my books.

 

[hammertime]

Form replies from NRL Feedback

They can only do shit if hbg done illegal things or things like the eels did in nature

The club is not bankrupt , you don’t see them stepping in with manly , who has an owner that cant be pushed , is chairman who is hardly in the country and basically has new CEO’s and the like every year… no

So unless these clowns have done something majorly wrong they ask some questions and say nothing to see.

The NRL Club Licence Agreement includes broad, but confidential, clauses that empower the ARL Commission (ARLC) to ensure good governance, financial viability, and stability across all clubs.

Key obligations relevant to the Wests Tigers situation include:

• Governance Standards: Requiring club controllers (like HBG) to be "fit and proper" and adhere to professional board structures.
• Club Stability: Requiring the club to act in the "best interests of the game" and avoid conduct that damages the NRL's integrity or reputation (like severe internal conflict).
• Intervention Powers: Allowing the NRL to fine the club, withhold funding, or appoint an administrator if a breach of stability or governance is found.

The current investigation will determine if the sudden removal of directors by HBG breached these standards.

 

[cochise]

seems there was blood letting over at the forum , wink

?

 

[Merlot]

Once again, I’m glad to have fellow supporters who are prepared to stand up. We deserve stability, success and people in charge who actually want the best for Wests Tigers. A now retracted HBG statement blowing up the good work of the past year is the last straw in my books.

funny how they retracted a few posts,(?) ,bet the cigars n the top shelf scotch just tastes bitter now while slapping each other on the back

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

this seems next levels to me

Hate to be the bearer of bad news mate but we have smashed to new heights.

Just like the old days when you crushed the leaders score on your favourite pinball machine but no euphoria.

 

[mtd#2]

Oh God, here we go again ...

Are you suggesting it’s a smear campaign based on nothing ?

How do you know that?

Let me suggest you don’t know that.
But that you want it to be a baseless smear campaign because that sits more comfortably with your preconceived narrative.

Sometimes it’s good to hold fire
until one or facts come to light 🙄

Here me forgetting how objective you magpies tragics have been 😂😂

 

[TigerBurnsy]

Once again, I’m glad to have fellow supporters who are prepared to stand up. We deserve stability, success and people in charge who actually want the best for Wests Tigers. A now retracted HBG statement blowing up the good work of the past year is the last straw in my books.

Wait was the hbg statement actually retracted I thought someone said that as a joke

 

[BAGNF05]

Wait was the hbg statement actually retracted I thought someone said that as a joke

Reported that it’s been taken down from the web.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

You’re hilarious. Pretty sure your involvement in this thread started with a rumour you made up.

Word on the street is that Jahream Bula is considering taking on the wests Tigers CEO position whilst doubling as the first Grade Fullback, apparently a recommendation from @Vicious comnvincved HBG to offer him the role! 😂😂.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

Why don't they rip into HBG or talk about how successful Richo has been...soft article

You dont speak journo then? Pretty scathing of HBG

 

[Squater]

Once again, I’m glad to have fellow supporters who are prepared to stand up. We deserve stability, success and people in charge who actually want the best for Wests Tigers. A now retracted HBG statement blowing up the good work of the past year is the last straw in my books.

Agree 💯 well said

 

[Merlot]

Wait was the hbg statement actually retracted I thought someone said that as a joke

unsure if its fake news , just typed a few questions in ,information from 3 days ago - not chasing that rabbit all over the paddock to its hole,looked like or i wanted it to be true some where here

 

[diedpretty]

If reports are to be believed he declared the conflict of interest involving Enrichd and made public statements about his intentions to run the club without HBG interference or leaks, he also had HBG reps on his WT Board, so it’s hard to see how communication would be an issue. I’m not too sure what else he’s accused of.

I saw a report that he was being accused of inflating prices for services provided by his and his son's company. If thats true and the WT board signed off on these payments it probably would be good cause to sack them. Who knows - we all seem to be getting snippets from the media which can hardly be called a reliable source of info.

 

[JB9918]

This could go in a variety of directions.

I believe four things that will get the right result in the end good or bad.

1. Richo's track record & relationship with the NRL. They may find issue with his current practices but reading between lines in the Read article, I don't believe so. They will not expose themselves if there is an issue.

2. HBG's actions with both Rick Wayde & the take down of their website story relating to this matter. Both improper in some form. Poor track record on management within WT, backed by Burgess being on the current WT board. Throw in the Bariner report... An export report.

3. The current fan outrage online & planned actions (Dec 13th rally), as well as mountains of correspondence. They are acknowledging it.

4. Finally which I think is the biggest positive is PVL, his ambition to grow the game (the south west Sydney corridor is a massive) & his exact words in relation to this that he will look after the "fans".

PVL & BoF understand legislation & the rules relating to L&G better than nearly anyone.

HBG are currently in their rights to do what they have done but it is being reviewed & I would say heavily scrutinized.

I trust the influence & position of everyone outside of the HBG has more weight than theirs.

Richo may be gone by Monday but he may back...

 

[AdelaideTiger]

The NRL Club Licence Agreement includes broad, but confidential, clauses that empower the ARL Commission (ARLC) to ensure good governance, financial viability, and stability across all clubs.

Key obligations relevant to the Wests Tigers situation include:

• Governance Standards: Requiring club controllers (like HBG) to be "fit and proper" and adhere to professional board structures.
• Club Stability: Requiring the club to act in the "best interests of the game" and avoid conduct that damages the NRL's integrity or reputation (like severe internal conflict).
• Intervention Powers: Allowing the NRL to fine the club, withhold funding, or appoint an administrator if a breach of stability or governance is found.

The current investigation will determine if the sudden removal of directors by HBG breached these standards.

Trouble is WT would have to experience the instability first for this to be a valid legal arguement, i.e. richo going, players coming out publicly that the clubs a shitshow and leaving because of it.
The best outcome here is that these HBG muppets do the moral thing and walk away (doesn't seem likely). Failing that things are going to get a hell of a lot worse before they get better.
Sad times ahead unless the public pressure can get through.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

Is the any truth to the Whistle blower allegations against Richardson?? just based on what i have and seen it does not smell pretty.

None whatsoever,, its a beat up.. I was talking to an impeccable source who told me that the anonymous whistleblower was telling lies written down on paper by members of the HBG in order to smear Richo to get him to quit and save HBG 2 $million dollars on unfair dismissal and breach of contract settlements and fines written into Richos contract. The HBG are doing this to weaken the wests Tigers as Richo was doing incredible work and the Tigers succeeding was scuttling their long fought for agenda of killing off the merger and reinstalling the Wests magpies like the pack off back stabbing aholes they are now and have always been… my source is NEVER WRONG, and he tells me this is what a lot of people are saying…😉

 

[innsaneink]

Wait was the hbg statement actually retracted I thought someone said that as a joke

Is this their statement from Monday?
Cant really recall what it said just a lot of poli speak
I wonder if something has changed for them to take it down.
Its probably in this thread somewhere posted on Monday my guess

 

[Dr_Ice]

Buying in as a debenture holder would be cheaper than a wests tigers membership

Lifetime membership with free drinks and food at the game. Great deal

 

[Merlot]

I saw a report that he was being accused of inflating prices for services provided by his and his son's company. If thats true and the WT board signed off on these payments it probably would be good cause to sack them. Who knows - we all seem to be getting snippets from the media which can hardly be called a reliable source of info.

be interesting if /when the facts come out why their self appointed directors aren;t held to the same standards,and kept their seat at the table

 

[mtd#2]

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson weighs up future amid NRL investigation​

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson could walk away from the club in the coming days, as he weighs up his future amid an NRL investigation over allegations surrounding his time at the club.

Brent Read and Michael Carayannis

Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson isn’t ready to publicly address his future, or for that matter the NRL inquiries surrounding his time at the embattled club.
Privately though, he is believed to be unconcerned. Richardson has told those close to him that he stands by a record that includes more than 30 years in the game, multiple premierships and a reputation as a rugby league mover and shaker.

He will spend the weekend considering his future at the Tigers but the smart money suggests he will walk away as soon as Monday, in all likelihood with a significant severance package and his head held high.

The NRL, which is locked in talks with the Tigers after majority owners the Holman Barnes Group seized back control of the board by removing four independent directors including former NSW premier Barry O’Farell, has confirmed they are making inquiries around some of the financial dealings under Richardson’s regime after a whistleblower made allegations to head office.

Richardson has privately insisted everything was above board and any conflicts of interest – he and his son Brent own a marketing and digital company that was used by the Tigers – were declared.

It is understood when he first arrived at the club, Richardson was acting as a consultant and payment was made to his company. Again, Richardson has told those close to him that there was nothing untoward.

Regardless, Richardson came back in part because the Tigers made a commitment to independent governance and they have now peeled that back. The NRL may yet seize control, but it may come too late to save Richardson – Holman Barnes are believed to have earmarked outgoing Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov to take over in the interim, while ex-St George Illawarra boss Ryan Webb has also been mentioned.

While Richardson spends the weekend mulling over his the Holman Barnes Group have removed a statement from their website outlining why they axed four directors amid the threat of legal action.

The Holman Barnes Group posted an announcement on their website on Monday which was also circulated to the media.

Holman Barnes Group chief executive Daniel Paton also produced a very polished video to explain the decision.

It has since been removed amid speculation that three of the four dumped directors considering taking legal action against the Holman Barnes Group for what they believe was a false narrative spun by the owners of the Wests Tigers.

It is understood the dumped trio Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola and Michelle McDowell are exploring legal action following their surprise axing after just 11 months on the board.

The trio are successful business people in their own right and voluntarily did their roles on the Tigers board. O’Farrell was unlikely to be part of any legal action.

Holman Barnes Group did not respond to request for comment nor did any of the former Tigers board members.

Of particular concern for the board members were suggestions that there was a problem with “communication” between the Tigers and Holman Barnes board.

The statement continued to say they wanted to “strengthen and ensure clearer visibility and collaboration across both organisations, a notice of removal has been issued to the independent directors of the Wests Tigers board”.

Holman Barnes Chairman Dennis Burgess sat on the Tigers board while Paton was also involved in subcommittees alongside some Tigers board members.

Holman Barnes have had a year in the headlines having dumped four of their own board members at different times this year before axing four Tigers board members earlier this week.

One former Holman Barnes board member Rick Wayde enjoyed a financial out of court settlement with the group for an undisclosed amount.

HBG are the gift that keeps on giving..
I really hope Richo sees this an opportunity to bring down these Muppets.
How weak to bring down their public statement.. if they were confident that they did the right thing, they wouldn't be taking it down...