**Balmain welcomes Harry Triguboff's bid to buy Wests Tigers**
Date August 13, 2015
Adrian Proszenko
Balmain has welcomed the prospect of Meriton magnate Harry Triguboff privatising Wests Tigers, believing it could provide a lifeline for the foundation club to remain in the partnership.
Fairfax Media revealed Triguboff, a long-term club sponsor considered one of the world's wealthiest businessmen, is considering buying the Tigers. Triguboff has a strong connection to Balmain but has made it clear he will only buy in if he is capable of owning the entire NRL franchise.
"Their problem is the Balmain part is broke. But Balmain part is me," Triguboff said.
"That's the way it is. I'm very close to them, to the old part. I hope if I can stay I will keep the old supporters still involved. That's my plan."
Advertisement The timing couldn't be any better for Balmain, which is on the cusp of forfeiting its place in Wests Tigers. The NRL has loaned Balmain the outstanding monies owing to the joint-venture club, with March 31 looming as the deadline for its next funding contribution. If the foundation club remains an unfinancial shareholder beyond then, its stake is up for sale.
Balmain chairman Dr Leslie Glenn said he was "heartened" by Triguboff's interest.
"We are very open to any discussion with Meriton," Glenn said.
"We have a flexible attitude to whoever can assist us in being a partner in the joint-venture outfit. We would consider any number of proposals that would allow us to keep faith with our supporters and history.
"We would be prepared to consider any reasonable offer that gave us long-term security. There's no uncertainty about it, if we don't repay the debt to the NRL they will see us off and put that 50 per cent share up for sale."
Friday also looms as a key day in Balmain's future, with Balmain Leagues Club scheduled to submit to Leichhardt Council a new development application for the dilapidated Victoria Road site at Rozelle. The proposal will include a new 3600 square metre clubs space to return the Tigers home with a bar, lounge, dining and entertainment areas.
"The developer has gone back to the master plan of 2008 and assured us the proposal will be within the boundaries agreed between the Balmain club and council," Dr Glenn said.
Meriton will remain plastered on the Wests Tigers jerseys until the end of the year before a new sponsor is unveiled for season 2016\. But rather than scaling back his interest in Wests Tigers, Triguboff is keen to become more involved. It's understood Balmain had previously offered Triguboff one of their two board seats should he bail them out of financial strife, but the self-made billionaire won't be content with a bit part in Wests Tigers.
"I've never been a partner with anyone and I won't be a partner with this. This I guarantee you," Triguboff said.
While Balmain is on the verge of extinction, Wests Ashfield have had no issues in meeting their funding obligations.
Dr Glenn is hopeful that the Tigers' association with Triguboff will continue well into the future.
"We've got a very long relationship with Harry that started well before the joint venture came around," Dr Glenn said.
"We were very happy Harry continued into the Wests Tigers days and shared the pleasure of the 2005 premiership."
Tigers chairwoman Marina Go and Wests Ashfield declined to comment.
The Tigers have a chance to move further away from the wooden spoon when they host Newcastle on Saturday.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/balmain-welcomes-harry-triguboffs-bid-to-buy-wests-tigers-20150813-giykws.html
