HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[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...

 

[rugbygoated]

Can't wait for the Jarome Luai will he stay or will he go then the Bula circus will be bubbling along and then the Marshall circus will rear its ugly head me thinks 2026 could be a right off already.

Red hot favourites for the wooden spoon. No key signings like the other bottom sides (coach or player), false hope based on 13th position, players getting worse and older, off field noise and distraction...

 

[rugbygoated]

yea? he took on the job only with an independent board. it’s not there now, so he is looking at leaving. if he does leave they will no doubt follow suit. i thought that was common sense but apparently not to you

HBG looking to get rid of wests tigers and replace them with magpies but all they've done is lose support and popularity

 

[TigerBurnsy]

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

Yeah it was the Monday one I read it, I more meant I thought it was a joke it got taken down, something must be up for them to take it down

 

[BAGNF05]

Yeah it was the Monday one I read it, I more meant I thought it was a joke it got taken down, something must be up for them to take it down

It’s still on the Magpies facebook. So if they were meant to take it down, they stuffed that up as usual.

 

[Rugba]

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.

Let’s be real , this can not be something they can enact on a whim , as I said has to be massive major things they have done rather than just incompetence and being power hungry and given they weren’t doing the day to day running of the club (like recruiting players and sourcing TPAs , doing stadium deals ) they won’t be pinged for the usual shenanigans practiced by ALL nrl clubs

Even with the eels doing what they did it wasn’t the nrl that stepped in , they had to be gaming and liquor board / state government to step in

Nrl couldn’t even boot south’s out of the comp.

What will have more effect on this situation is the protest not the nrl . The protest is what will put HBG under pressure , just like they caved last time with the petition and installed the independent board

 

[BAGNF05]

Let’s be real , this can not be something they can enact on a whim , as I said has to be massive major things they have done rather than just incompetence and being power hungry and given they weren’t doing the day to day running of the club (like recruiting players and sourcing TPAs , doing stadium deals ) they won’t be pinged for the usual shenanigans practiced by ALL nrl clubs

Even with the eels doing what they did it wasn’t the nrl that stepped in , they had to be gaming and liquor board / state government to step in

Nrl couldn’t even boot south’s out of the comp.

What will have more effect on this situation is the protest not the nrl . The protest is what will put HBG under pressure , just like they caved last time with the petition and installed the independent board

I don’t think anyone here knows their obligations under the NRL licensing agreement. The league hands them ~$13 million per annum to run a successful football club. They haven’t done that in 15 years.

 

[hammertime]

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.

I think there are things like media sentiment, player/staff surveys, brand valuations etc. that you could use to collect data points.

 

[BAGNF05]

I think there are things like media sentiment, player/staff surveys, brand valuations etc. that you could use to collect data points.

24 months ago a review found that WT needed an independent board , that (and our pitiful history) should tell you all you need to know.

 

[Dr_Ice]

Laundy buying the Tigers would be the best outcome we could hope for, only con would be his age hopefully his kids would have interest to carry on the legacy.

If it's a possibility, then thousands need to get to the rally and really make HBG squirm, make them feel that it's not worth the trouble keeping.

What happened to the Under 50 and no real connection to either Magpies or Balmain?

 

[hammertime]

Let’s be real , this can not be something they can enact on a whim , as I said has to be massive major things they have done rather than just incompetence and being power hungry and given they weren’t doing the day to day running of the club (like recruiting players and sourcing TPAs , doing stadium deals ) they won’t be pinged for the usual shenanigans practiced by ALL nrl clubs

Even with the eels doing what they did it wasn’t the nrl that stepped in , they had to be gaming and liquor board / state government to step in

Nrl couldn’t even boot south’s out of the comp.

What will have more effect on this situation is the protest not the nrl . The protest is what will put HBG under pressure , just like they caved last time with the petition and installed the independent board

The difference being that the licensing agreements most likely tightened up since back in South's days. They are the basis of an asset that you can use in your sales motions for media companies - the NRL would want them to be tight to ensure that clubs don't tarnish the game.

These are private documents, though, so I'm just hoping. But we will see.

Another outcome could be just to apply pressure to HBG and get them to continue the structure, but put some more rigidity around when they can dissolve the WT board. i.e. Criminal or gross misconduct.

If they can handcuff HBG from hitting the big red button every time their ego dictates, then that would be another way.

Didn't NRL push our first move for independents on the board? They did it somehow once.

 

[Merlot]

The difference being that the licensing agreements most likely tightened up since back in South's days. They are the basis of an asset that you can use in your sales motions for media companies - the NRL would want them to be tight to ensure that clubs don't tarnish the game.

These are private documents, though, so I'm just hoping. But we will see.

Another outcome could be just to apply pressure to HBG and get them to continue the structure, but put some more rigidity around when they can dissolve the WT board. i.e. Criminal or gross misconduct.

If they can handcuff HBG from hitting the big red button every time their ego dictates, then that would be another way.

Didn't NRL push our first move for independents on the board? They did it somehow once.

peer pressure,the fan base got that over the line

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

What happened to the Under 50 and no real connection to either Magpies or Balmain?

Not getting your point in relation to my post.

 

[AdelaideTiger]

I think there are things like media sentiment, player/staff surveys, brand valuations etc. that you could use to collect data points.

Oh the evidence of bad behaviour is certainly there, its just how sound an argument can be made.
Based on the parameters im not sure you have an easy win in litigation.
The nrl won't be interested in getting into a provincial shit fight unless the outcome they want it gift wrapped for them.
This is all too messy. I dont see an easy fix coming.

 

[innsaneink]

It’s still on the Magpies facebook. So if they were meant to take it down, they stuffed that up as usual.

Can you copy and paste it here....if they dont want it up anymore it could be handy to have
I just had a look at one magpies page...some very nasty and threatening posts to some of the boys here
Ashamed to admit this was my old club....there are some very very unhinged people involved in all of this

 

[Merlot]

The legal system is a hee whoreing jackass

 

[cochise]

Can you copy and paste it here....if they dont want it up anymore it could be handy to have
I just had a look at one magpies page...some very nasty and threatening posts to some of the boys here
Ashamed to admit this was my old club....there are some very very unhinged people involved in all of this

Who are they having a crack at this time lol. I think I can probably guess.

 

[nrlsurvivor]

This saga reminds me of the plot of the 1989 film Major League. In that movie the team banded together to make the finals and save the franchise.

Spoiler Alert…

Major League (1989) plot summary:

• The owner, Rachel Phelps, wants the Cleveland Indians to lose as many games as possible.
• Her goal is to drive attendance so low that she can legally move the team to Miami.
• To achieve this, she assembles a roster of misfits and players she expects to fail.
• When the players discover her plan, they unite around one goal:
  Win the division to stop the move.
• Their unexpected winning streak leads them to winning the Division and saving the franchise from relocation.