Justin Pascoe lifts lid on Wests Tigers issues

[Geo]

At least he admitted his failings with the “I was disappointed with the outcome and I think the negotiation took too long. **I put my hand up for that**, because I was the lead negotiator in that process. “ Good CEO's get it done or don't let the negotiations drag on. Jury still out on whether he turns 'distress into good' whatever that means :unamused:

Just gooblygook ..from CEO Justin…pollyspeak so to speak..

Action not Words..

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Justin Pascoe lifts lid on Wests Tigers issues
MAY 3, 201710:33PM

WESTS TIGERS Chief Executive Justin Pascoe says the club did everything in its power to keep the club’s quartet of stars. Captain Aaron Woods (Canterbury), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) and Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels) are all departing, and only halfback Luke Brooks is committing to the club from next season. But Pascoe has cleared the air, saying he must carry the club forward and build for the future, instead of focusing on the reasons why the club’s stars chose to walk away. “We’ve done everything over the past five months that we believe are in the best interests of the club and afford them an opportunity to stay at the club,” Pascoe told Fox Sports League Life program. “They’ve made some really tough decisions, we respect those decisions, it’s not in the best interests of our organisation the way the outcome has gone, but that’s what it is — as CEO I can’t cry in the corner not having a favourable outcome.”

While Pascoe took responsibility for the three marquee stars choosing to sign elsewhere from 2018, he did outline factors that played against the Wests Tigers. He revealed the club had moved to resign James Tedesco last season, only to be rebuked, given issues the fullback was having with his former manager. Brooks and Moses were also approached mid-2016 to extend their stays, but both chose to take one-year options in their deal, ensuring all four big names came off contract at the same time.
Club captain Aaron Woods was also approached with a firm contract offer in December 2016, but ultimately didn’t resign. “It was really that perfect storm where these four players have all come off contract in the prime of their career, heavily targeted by other clubs,” Pascoe said. “I was disappointed with the outcome and I think the negotiation took too long. I put my hand up for that, because I was the lead negotiator in that process. “In an environment where you’re trying to secure four quality juniors — that was paramount to this football club. Hand on heart we couldn’t do any more to retain these guys.
“We offered up really long-term contracts, we’ve got a really clear vision where the organisation is going, we’re building a really competitive roster. “We’re in a position now where we’ve brought it to a conclusion. I think the club needed some clarity and certainty around that — we’re in a position to look to the future.”

The club has been riddled with instability at board level since becoming a joint venture in 1999, somewhat consumed by a power struggle between Balmain and Western Suburbs factions.
But with a new board assembled late last year, Pascoe says the club is moving forward united and stronger than ever. “There have been challenges to this club through the joint venture,” Pascoe said.
“The noise outside is not reflective of how we feel inside. The board has been in place since last year, ownership is now settled, and we’ve got a $57 million development that we’re heading towards.
“The board is working in absolute unity for the good of the Wests Tigers and the decisions that we’ve had to make are really about trying to bring an organisation that has had some instability, to a point of stability.” The headlines and results may not have been positive of late on-field, but away from the paddock the Wests Tigers are making serious gains.Revenue is on the increase, as the club continues to grow its membership base and commercial partnerships.

“We’ve got the largest membership the club’s ever enjoyed. For the very first time we have our apparel fully supported from a corporate perspective,” Pascoe explained. “Corporates out there don’t go out and spend $1 million or $300,000 with an organisation that they don’t feel comfortable with or feel like they don’t have a vision.”The silver lining throughout the mess is the fact the club is now in a position to secure talent and for the first time in several seasons does not have money going to players wearing an opposition jersey. Josh Reynolds and Ben Matulino have already committed to the club long-term and Pascoe knows he must continue to attract high-profile talent to ensure the club is competitive on the field. The goal is to make the club a force both on-field and off. “We’re through the biggest challenges. We’ve got stable ownership; we’ve got a really good board. “All the commercial activities are generating higher than they’ve ever been before. Our biggest challenge now is making sure we go out in the marketplace and get a roster that will make us compete and be sustainable — and I think we’re doing that.”

I know that this has been stated before ….. but!
This sort of factual message needs to be re-stated over and over again to counter the misinformation being peddled by Murdoch media outlets.

 

[newtiger]

Is there a link to the interview as I refuse to donate 1cent to Murdoch.

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

There was one little nugget in the interview that he specifically mentioned that may have triggered the departure - the "player whisperer"

 

[IronTiger]

Justin Pascoe lifts lid on Wests Tigers issues
MAY 3, 201710:33PM

WESTS TIGERS Chief Executive Justin Pascoe says the club did everything in its power to keep the club’s quartet of stars. Captain Aaron Woods (Canterbury), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) and Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels) are all departing, and only halfback Luke Brooks is committing to the club from next season. But Pascoe has cleared the air, saying he must carry the club forward and build for the future, instead of focusing on the reasons why the club’s stars chose to walk away. “We’ve done everything over the past five months that we believe are in the best interests of the club and afford them an opportunity to stay at the club,” Pascoe told Fox Sports League Life program. “They’ve made some really tough decisions, we respect those decisions, it’s not in the best interests of our organisation the way the outcome has gone, but that’s what it is — as CEO I can’t cry in the corner not having a favourable outcome.”

While Pascoe took responsibility for the three marquee stars choosing to sign elsewhere from 2018, he did outline factors that played against the Wests Tigers. He revealed the club had moved to resign James Tedesco last season, only to be rebuked, given issues the fullback was having with his former manager. Brooks and Moses were also approached mid-2016 to extend their stays, but both chose to take one-year options in their deal, ensuring all four big names came off contract at the same time.
Club captain Aaron Woods was also approached with a firm contract offer in December 2016, but ultimately didn’t resign. “It was really that perfect storm where these four players have all come off contract in the prime of their career, heavily targeted by other clubs,” Pascoe said. “I was disappointed with the outcome and I think the negotiation took too long. I put my hand up for that, because I was the lead negotiator in that process. “In an environment where you’re trying to secure four quality juniors — that was paramount to this football club. Hand on heart we couldn’t do any more to retain these guys.
“We offered up really long-term contracts, we’ve got a really clear vision where the organisation is going, we’re building a really competitive roster. “We’re in a position now where we’ve brought it to a conclusion. I think the club needed some clarity and certainty around that — we’re in a position to look to the future.”

The club has been riddled with instability at board level since becoming a joint venture in 1999, somewhat consumed by a power struggle between Balmain and Western Suburbs factions.
But with a new board assembled late last year, Pascoe says the club is moving forward united and stronger than ever. “There have been challenges to this club through the joint venture,” Pascoe said.
“The noise outside is not reflective of how we feel inside. The board has been in place since last year, ownership is now settled, and we’ve got a $57 million development that we’re heading towards.
“The board is working in absolute unity for the good of the Wests Tigers and the decisions that we’ve had to make are really about trying to bring an organisation that has had some instability, to a point of stability.” The headlines and results may not have been positive of late on-field, but away from the paddock the Wests Tigers are making serious gains.Revenue is on the increase, as the club continues to grow its membership base and commercial partnerships.

“We’ve got the largest membership the club’s ever enjoyed. For the very first time we have our apparel fully supported from a corporate perspective,” Pascoe explained. “Corporates out there don’t go out and spend $1 million or $300,000 with an organisation that they don’t feel comfortable with or feel like they don’t have a vision.”The silver lining throughout the mess is the fact the club is now in a position to secure talent and for the first time in several seasons does not have money going to players wearing an opposition jersey. Josh Reynolds and Ben Matulino have already committed to the club long-term and Pascoe knows he must continue to attract high-profile talent to ensure the club is competitive on the field. The goal is to make the club a force both on-field and off. “We’re through the biggest challenges. We’ve got stable ownership; we’ve got a really good board. “All the commercial activities are generating higher than they’ve ever been before. Our biggest challenge now is making sure we go out in the marketplace and get a roster that will make us compete and be sustainable — and I think we’re doing that.”

Still not actually had any confirmation from either the Eels or Rorters Moses or Tedesco are going there

 

[tigerap]

Justin Pascoe lifts lid on Wests Tigers issues
MAY 3, 201710:33PM

WESTS TIGERS Chief Executive Justin Pascoe says the club did everything in its power to keep the club’s quartet of stars. Captain Aaron Woods (Canterbury), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters) and Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels) are all departing, and only halfback Luke Brooks is committing to the club from next season. But Pascoe has cleared the air, saying he must carry the club forward and build for the future, instead of focusing on the reasons why the club’s stars chose to walk away. “We’ve done everything over the past five months that we believe are in the best interests of the club and afford them an opportunity to stay at the club,” Pascoe told Fox Sports League Life program. “They’ve made some really tough decisions, we respect those decisions, it’s not in the best interests of our organisation the way the outcome has gone, but that’s what it is — as CEO I can’t cry in the corner not having a favourable outcome.”

While Pascoe took responsibility for the three marquee stars choosing to sign elsewhere from 2018, he did outline factors that played against the Wests Tigers. He revealed the club had moved to resign James Tedesco last season, only to be rebuked, given issues the fullback was having with his former manager. Brooks and Moses were also approached mid-2016 to extend their stays, but both chose to take one-year options in their deal, ensuring all four big names came off contract at the same time.
Club captain Aaron Woods was also approached with a firm contract offer in December 2016, but ultimately didn’t resign. “It was really that perfect storm where these four players have all come off contract in the prime of their career, heavily targeted by other clubs,” Pascoe said. “I was disappointed with the outcome and I think the negotiation took too long. I put my hand up for that, because I was the lead negotiator in that process. “In an environment where you’re trying to secure four quality juniors — that was paramount to this football club. Hand on heart we couldn’t do any more to retain these guys.
“We offered up really long-term contracts, we’ve got a really clear vision where the organisation is going, we’re building a really competitive roster. “We’re in a position now where we’ve brought it to a conclusion. I think the club needed some clarity and certainty around that — we’re in a position to look to the future.”

The club has been riddled with instability at board level since becoming a joint venture in 1999, somewhat consumed by a power struggle between Balmain and Western Suburbs factions.
But with a new board assembled late last year, Pascoe says the club is moving forward united and stronger than ever. “There have been challenges to this club through the joint venture,” Pascoe said.
“The noise outside is not reflective of how we feel inside. The board has been in place since last year, ownership is now settled, and we’ve got a $57 million development that we’re heading towards.
“The board is working in absolute unity for the good of the Wests Tigers and the decisions that we’ve had to make are really about trying to bring an organisation that has had some instability, to a point of stability.” The headlines and results may not have been positive of late on-field, but away from the paddock the Wests Tigers are making serious gains.Revenue is on the increase, as the club continues to grow its membership base and commercial partnerships.

“We’ve got the largest membership the club’s ever enjoyed. For the very first time we have our apparel fully supported from a corporate perspective,” Pascoe explained. “Corporates out there don’t go out and spend $1 million or $300,000 with an organisation that they don’t feel comfortable with or feel like they don’t have a vision.”The silver lining throughout the mess is the fact the club is now in a position to secure talent and for the first time in several seasons does not have money going to players wearing an opposition jersey. Josh Reynolds and Ben Matulino have already committed to the club long-term and Pascoe knows he must continue to attract high-profile talent to ensure the club is competitive on the field. The goal is to make the club a force both on-field and off. “We’re through the biggest challenges. We’ve got stable ownership; we’ve got a really good board. “All the commercial activities are generating higher than they’ve ever been before. Our biggest challenge now is making sure we go out in the marketplace and get a roster that will make us compete and be sustainable — and I think we’re doing that.”

Still not actually had any confirmation from either the Eels or Rorters Moses or Tedesco are going there

yeah funny that…wonder why?

 

[Newtown]

Under a previous administration the club put all its eggs in one basket with the big three who used this as a lever for their own gain at the expense of the club, The club will have learnt a very important lesson from this calamity and will certainly not repeat the same mistake again. The club however has to be commended for showing these three players that the club will not be cowed into obeying every want and need of theirs. The club has very firmly delivered the message to these three that "no player is greater than the club."

The new administration and coach are now recruiting class, dependable new players who will not hold the club to ransom as have the big three so ignominiously carried out. I really believe that all Wests tigers fans are very proud in the way their club has reacted to this recent drama and very optimistic with regards to the club's fortunes for 2018.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Under a previous administration the club put all its eggs in one basket with the big three who used this as a lever for their own gain at the expense of the club, The club will have learnt a very important lesson from this calamity and will certainly not repeat the same mistake again. The club however has to be commended for showing these three players that the club will not be cowed into obeying every want and need of theirs. The club has very firmly delivered the message to these three that "no player is greater than the club."

The new administration and coach are now recruiting class, dependable new players who will not hold the club to ransom as have the big three so ignominiously carried out. I really believe that all Wests tigers fans are very proud in the way their club has reacted to this recent drama and very optimistic with regards to the club's fortunes for 2018.

Spot on

Although probably 5% aren't happy, the majority of us are chuffed.

 

[earl]

Newton - that is spot on. The club bet on these guys and hoped they would develop into great and loyal players. I think they got it wrong on both counts.

On the positive side the club appears to have moved on.

 

[sheer64]

We have the correct structure and personal to run it, just need the players to complete the triangle and turn us into the best club in the NRL who do not cheat! 😛ray:

 

[BalmainBoy]

Tedesco to the Roosters announced shortly (this morning)

 

[Chevy]

Once Ivan came to the club and gave the ultimatum that 'you are either on the bus or not' statement the power shifted from the players back to the club,and that's the way it should be,for too long now the WT have been controlled by players and not the coach and administration.
Woods,seriously has done himself no favours,if his offer has been on the table since last year than what is he complaining about that the club has kept him in the dark for three weeks,seems like he strung them along for a lengthy period of time,then when the offer was withdrawn he cries foul…please,Woods you only have yourself to blame for not getting on the bus.

 

[Tigerdon]

Under a previous administration the club put all its eggs in one basket with the big three who used this as a lever for their own gain at the expense of the club, The club will have learnt a very important lesson from this calamity and will certainly not repeat the same mistake again. The club however has to be commended for showing these three players that the club will not be cowed into obeying every want and need of theirs. The club has very firmly delivered the message to these three that "no player is greater than the club."

The new administration and coach are now recruiting class, dependable new players who will not hold the club to ransom as have the big three so ignominiously carried out. I really believe that all Wests tigers fans are very proud in the way their club has reacted to this recent drama and very optimistic with regards to the club's fortunes for 2018.

Spot on

Although probably 5% aren't happy, the majority of us are chuffed.

Yep I'm one of the 95%. While it has hurt, like ripping a band aid off a crusty wound . The short term pain will be good for the future.
I'd like to see Cleary finish here what he started at the Warriors and Panthers. Those two teams I'm sure would love to have him there now.

A well balanced unit is a much better model. Than what we have had.

 

[jirskyr]

At least he admitted his failings with the “I was disappointed with the outcome and I think the negotiation took too long. **I put my hand up for that**, because I was the lead negotiator in that process. “ Good CEO's get it done or don't let the negotiations drag on. Jury still out on whether he turns 'distress into good' whatever that means :unamused:

Whilst I agree with you in principal and in a business environment that is 100% correct, negotiations typically shouldn't carry on so long. But can I just ask what your/anyone's response would have been if after 1-3 months of not closing the deal we had of pulled the offer and lost the players then?? Would we have lambasted the board and Pascoe because we didn't give them more time and we can't afford to lose them??

Obviously the players (The Big 4) knew they held all the power in the negotiation and were able to hold out for as long as they saw fit, which is exactly what they did. However when our coaching future was finally confirmed and Cleary came in and took over the reins they started losing that power, Cleary took control and showed in no uncertain terms that they weren't driving the bus, he and the club was.

As much as I am sad to see our club dragged through all of this garbage I feel this could well be a turning point for us and will start pushing us in the right direction finally; I united board, quality CEO, Coach that has ability, respect and has shown he is in charge and finally a well balanced team that will be competitive across the park.

The future looks bright to me!!

I was thinking the same thing. If they'd put the ultimatum down in February instead of April, the season hadn't even started yet, the players would have had far more fan and media support.

The one thing the media circus (of the regular season) has done is tease out the fact that Tigers have been trying to secure their players for a long period and there really isn't much more the club could have done, we appear to have outbid all parties on the Big 3 services.

My theory is that Pascoe got caught between public sentiment and moving the club forward around Feb/17\. If you get frustrated with popular player delays, you can't just shoot them down, public perception will crucify you. You need to build up some public goodwill, build some noise about trying to get the deals done, then make your move. That's exactly what Pascoe did, he made noise in the early rounds about putting a deadline on contracts, but didn't move on that until the new coach was sorted.

So whilst it seems like long delays, I don't see that Pascoe had much choice in trying to keep the Big 4\. We understand that Tigers opened negotiations in the offseason and all 4 players stalled.

Tigers then tried to bring in and lock Webhe around Jan-Feb/17, as a sweetener for the players, and whilst it looked promising it became untenable for the club. First you look to hire Webhe officially, but he's mates with iMoses; you put up with that, then Webhe wants to bring in his specialist masseur… at some point the club realises to make this work they need an army of iMoses lackeys, and iMoses already has enough pull at the club.

They pull the pin on Webhe, the players get shirty and this appears to be around the time they seriously look elsewhere. There does seem a strong current here that there is a power shift and the players / manager start to think their dominant bargaining position is being threatened.

My theory extends: Rounds 2 or 3 The Board are also looking at the coach. After a good win, Tigers are back to old habits. The Big 4 are not signing on, though they appear ok with Jason Taylor, they want to know if he will be around long-term. And fair enough. So the The Board has to ask themselves if JT is the guy to keep moving the club forward, everyone thinks he's a nice and possesses a good footy brain, but does he have the strength and command to pull these players into line, to help every player become a better footballer?

You can be quite sure that Tigers have sounded out Ivan Cleary before the season opened. 3 rounds into the season and JT is gone... I don't see Ivan Cleary to be the type of guy to start discussions and sign a contract within ~2 weeks (the bad losses were only 1 week apart). Remember that JT was appointed in Sep/14 and Pascoe joined in Sep/15\. My theory, a common one, is that Pascoe sounded Ivan out in the offseason, they had a relationship from Penrith, and they talked about Cleary's thoughts and availability.

So you hit mid-March and the top players haven't re-signed, the club has had a few bad losses and is not showing improvement on 2016\. Ivan Cleary agrees that he is interested in the head coach role - but you would need to give him full control over the roster. Despite the good off-season you are seeing repeated patterns of previous years of failure, you have concerns about the players purposefully delaying to push up their price, and they are telling you they want some surety about the long-term coaching strategy. You don't want to make the call on the coach so early in the year but clearly it's becoming an issue for the playing roster.

So you decide - no, JT is probably not the guy capable of taking the team to the next level, we need a cultural shift, we need to bring the contract negotiations to a head and we need a guy with the skills to make this move forward rapidly. We have more money to spend this time around, we need an experienced and roster-building coach. It's only Round 3, you hit the trigger and prepare yourself for the expected media circus.

It happens, it only takes a few weeks to install the new guy, the media can die down about JT. You now go to the Big 4 and say "ok this is our coaching strategy moving forward, we are going to need your decisions soon guys, because we need to look at replacements if you are going".

The Media circus unfortunately does not abate. I think Pascoe misjudged the media here, I am guessing he thought the Cleary appointment would arrest the noise and put more pressure on the players. The players instead played a power game in the media (haven't seen that before hey?) They say they won't be held to deadlines, they just want some surety over the future of the club. They love the club! But they are also clearly looking at other deals, otherwise why delay so long on contracts that have been on the table for months? I think the players and manager are seeing the real power shift here, post Joe Webhe, the club is starting to make plans that don't include the Big 4.

Cleary comes in, the playing roster understandably gets nervous. Cleary already has plans for his roster, he says "not that keen on Mitchell Moses, I want you to revise his priority down, work on getting Brooks signed now, then let's focus on Woods and Tedesco."

mMoses reacts badly, signs elsewhere immediately. It's confirmed that there are deals around, of course there are, but mMoses signed within a few days of his offer revision, so those deals are mature. The noise is that Brooks had the lowest bargaining power of the Big 4, whatever happened between him and the Dogs in 2016 isn't going to happen 2017\. Brooks also appears the strongest agitator to sign up, so that happens rather quickly.

mMoses wants out, Tigers hold him and work on Woods and Tedesco. It's all in black and white now guys: coaching strategy is sorted, the deals are there, you've met Cleary and seen what he is capable of, where the club is headining. You don't need more time and actually we don't have more time to give you. We said there would be a deadline, now our house is in order, here is the deadline.

So that long theory / story being over, I can't see at what point Pascoe could have brought the deadline forward. He probably misjudged the media reaction to the Big 4 contracts, he definitely misjudged how Woods would play this out and I think they were most confident on Tedesco given the huge offer he had, so they misjudged Tedesco's loyalties. But that's all ok, you can't predict people like that, you can only do what you think is right.

 

[Geo]

That was a very long post…

I ran out of tin foil...

 

[eyewonder]

im glad that pascoe has spoken reasonably openly about the departing three.
he admitted fault,which i admire.
i loved woodsey and teddy playing for the tigers.
but ill cheer just as hard for their replacements.
i can see wests tigers winning between 7-9 games for the remainder of 2017.

in their last game for the tigers,i can see woods,teddy and moses perhaps realising it wasnt such a bad place after all.
we can only hope that wests tigers will have a successful 2018,with victories over parra,bulldogs and the roosters inclusive.the best form of revenge,although a strong word,is success.

 

[wtbus]

Most have covered what I'm thinking but thanks for sharing the article.

 

[jirskyr]

That was a very long post…

I ran out of tin foil...

At least you read it all though.

 

[newtiger]

Under a previous administration the club put all its eggs in one basket with the big three who used this as a lever for their own gain at the expense of the club, The club will have learnt a very important lesson from this calamity and will certainly not repeat the same mistake again. The club however has to be commended for showing these three players that the club will not be cowed into obeying every want and need of theirs. The club has very firmly delivered the message to these three that "no player is greater than the club."

The new administration and coach are now recruiting class, dependable new players who will not hold the club to ransom as have the big three so ignominiously carried out. I really believe that all Wests tigers fans are very proud in the way their club has reacted to this recent drama and very optimistic with regards to the club's fortunes for 2018.

Spot on

Although probably 5% aren't happy, the majority of us are chuffed.

Sad to see Teddy go, but as one door shuts another one opens.
I'm looking forward to a new roster filled with players that want to be here.
I have always been an optimistic person, you don't move forwards looking in the rear view mirror.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

Well done Mr Pascoe
When the dust settles we will probably end up with a bigger and better roster than we had.
After being perennial under achievers since 2006 and the current crop wanting the earth moon and stars to resign it was time to take a stand.
Teddy will be missed but not irreplaceable,Shaaron,Ava honest forwards and will Moses ever reach his potential??????
Bring on the semis for 2017 (if everyone puts in) and hold for 2018 because it will be a great ride.
When will the GET ON THE BUS/I'M ON THE BUS mechandise be avaiable.