Revealed: Secret bid to buy battling Tigers

[The_Patriot]

**Had to be patient for a decade’: Tigers legend in bold bid to buy embattled club**

Mark St John - May 6, 2021 6:16am
Source: FOX SPORTS

Tigers legend Benny Elias has put in an offer to buy his beloved club in the hope of restoring the joint venture to its former glory after a sustained period of failure.

The Tigers are on track to miss the finals for the 10th straight season, which is the longest drought in the NRL and Elias believes he can make a difference.

“Sitting in the background of the Tigers vs the Titans is a former player by the name of Ben Elias potentially pitching up to buy the club,” Ikin asked Elias on NRL 360.

“Look Benny a lot has been speculated with what has been happening,” Elias replied.

“I had the joy actually the real pleasure yesterday of spending a few hours with Rick Wayde and Simon Cook who is the CEO of the Wests Ashfield Tigers who own 90 per cent of the club.

**Great photo -117**

“Look they are very strong and I spent a lot of time looking at the background and the infrastructure and reasonings.

“If you are a Tigers supporter out there you are in good stead just be very patient. They have had to be patient now for almost a decade because we haven’t made the top eight.

“But what is going on in the background are the small things which I think moving forward they are going to be a real strong club.”

Ikin persisted in pushing Elias on his reasons for buying the club.

“Why are you buying the club?” Ikin said.

“It is a passion,” Elias said.

“It is not a business decision by any stretch of the imagination.

“There is no money in any clubs. There is no profit made with the Wests Tigers. It is break even and you have had a good year.

“Look it has always been a passion and I think if you can contribute something back to the game you think it could be very beneficial.

“The love of my life was the Tigers. Always has been and always will be.

“We have put an offer to the boys yesterday. A lot of it will be confidential before the meeting next Tuesday when they make a decision.

“If so all well and good, but if not I’m a million per cent behind the club because I love them and what they are doing is terrific.”

Paul Kent pressed Elias on where he thinks he could make a difference and what areas the club needed to improve in.

“What would you go in there and fix?” Kent asked.

“I think the relationship between the board and the football management and the coach in particular. I think the relationship between that area is a little bit grey.

“You have got to be accountable. The coach has always got to be accountable and I love Madge. “I had lunch with the Madge and CEO Justin Pascoe just a few weeks ago and it was very positive and they have got it all right, but I just think you have got to be accountable for all your actions.

“Madge is struggling at 2-8 and the coach and the club need someone in between there to bolster it up.

Elias scored 36 tries in 233 games for the Tigers from 1982 to 1994.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-benny-elias-bid-to-buy-wests-tigers-michael-maguire-justin-pascoe-simon-cook-rick-wayde/news-story/54bb368dd2f90daad88f2d1c50fc0b1d

"It's not a business decision it's a passion" - is code for Money Laundering 101. It doesn't pass the ATO test. There are no profits in clubs? A good year is break-even? So yeah, Benny has a bunch of investors lining up to throw good passionate money at the possibility of breaking even. Duh?

I watched him speak on NRL360 - honestly, he was fumbling around, saying lots with little substance.

My question remains, what does private ownership bring to the club? Do they want to change the business model of the club to make it more profitable? Do they think they can attract more sponsorship? Will they invest in more juniors? Does he want to move the team to Perth?

I haven't heard him present his case as to why this is a good move for the club...that scares me...

He had no good answers, im surpised he had backing by anyone.

Said the club is 100% in fantastic shape
Then they asked what would you change
His answer was "not much communication between board and club" surely those comments wouldn't help his deal in any case.

Should of gone with a more generic answer of Fresh Ideas, New set of eyes

I dont think the 360 interview was conducted to win over us fans. More a requirement or a request by his employer.

Id say the "fresh ideas" and what ever else he isnt saying would have been presented at board level behind closed doors.

I would judge the proposal on that interview.

 

[rustycage]

Mock it if you will, but this seems to be heating up. One thing I’ve learnt is that $ talks in this world.

Probably nothing in it but if there's enough money offered and Wests Ashfield want out, who knows...


Is WA ready to accept their failures?
Regardless of what you think of Benny, his solution for partial privatisation, same as the rabbits have, is a much faster route to success. It could provide more control over a culture driven revival and allow the board to continue even more focussed on food and beverage cost analysis, pokie, entertainment etc. It’s what Tim wanted. ?

Benny will take the club to Perth in a heart beat. If that's what the club wants, then they should go for it. I'll back another team and laugh when they fail due to their lack of support in the West.

 

[The_Patriot]

If he is going to take the team anywhere take them to the central coast. Still plenty of sydney games and some of us can get up the highway from time to time.

Even more so if the NRL conference system is approved. But in saying that we would be better off in the out of sydney conference over in perth lol. More chance to make it lol

 

[mikey]

If he is going to take the team anywhere take them to the central coast. Still plenty of sydney games and some of us can get up the highway from time to time.

Even more so if the NRL conference system is approved. But in saying that we would be better off in the out of sydney conference over in perth lol. More chance to make it lol

Neither location will do me - it's Nambucca Heads or bust. I'm moving there in 5 weeks.

 

[BZN]

If he is going to take the team anywhere take them to the central coast. Still plenty of sydney games and some of us can get up the highway from time to time.

Even more so if the NRL conference system is approved. But in saying that we would be better off in the out of sydney conference over in perth lol. More chance to make it lol

Neither location will do me - it's Nambucca Heads or bust. I'm moving there in 5 weeks.

:8ball: :fishing_pole_and_fish: :golf: :golfer: :man-rowing-boat: :man-surfing: :man-swimming: :tennis: :man-biking: You'll love it there @mikey

 

[mikey]

If he is going to take the team anywhere take them to the central coast. Still plenty of sydney games and some of us can get up the highway from time to time.

Even more so if the NRL conference system is approved. But in saying that we would be better off in the out of sydney conference over in perth lol. More chance to make it lol

Neither location will do me - it's Nambucca Heads or bust. I'm moving there in 5 weeks.

:8ball: :fishing_pole_and_fish: :golf: :golfer: :man-rowing-boat: :man-surfing: :man-swimming: :tennis: :man-biking: You'll love it there @mikey

That I will. Been going there on and off for nigh on 40 years. Got a couple of mates living there so it's dirt and road riding, fishing, veggie growing, homebrewing and kicking back from here on in. Not to mention a huge reno on the house we bought - worst house in a good street type scenario.
Can even do the run down to Sydney for a Tigers match now and then.

 

[BZN]

If he is going to take the team anywhere take them to the central coast. Still plenty of sydney games and some of us can get up the highway from time to time.

Even more so if the NRL conference system is approved. But in saying that we would be better off in the out of sydney conference over in perth lol. More chance to make it lol

Neither location will do me - it's Nambucca Heads or bust. I'm moving there in 5 weeks.

:8ball: :fishing_pole_and_fish: :golf: :golfer: :man-rowing-boat: :man-surfing: :man-swimming: :tennis: :man-biking: You'll love it there @mikey

That I will. Been going there on and off for nigh on 40 years. Got a couple of mates living there so it's dirt and road riding, fishing, veggie growing, homebrewing and kicking back from here on in. Not to mention a huge reno on the house we bought - worst house in a good street type scenario.
Can even do the run down to Sydney for a Tigers match now and then.

Stop it I'm jealous already :sunglasses:
You've obviously got your head screwed on the right way :upside_down_face: oops!!! sorry should be this way :ghost: :grinning:

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

The only people who think this is a good idea are the same type of people who complain about a Tommy specific jersey (WHy nOt A PaNaSonIc) and think all games should be played out of LO.

Benny is not the Balmain saviour. Balmain will never play in the NRL ( The same can be said about Western Suburbs). Say what you want about the Board but considering Balmain's financial issues, I think they have been extremely fair.

How anyone can be advocating for this shows the lengths people will go to just to change a emblem. This club will never progress with this attitude. As a united fan base, everyone should have concerns about Benny being anywhere near the club.

if you are going to be smart at least get the jersey sponsor right, Phillips

Smart?

One 'L'


thanks ink
wasn't directed at you though mate it was tigerbalms smart post
good pick up though one L in Philips
Panasonic cup anyone ?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

I would be nervous if Elias consortium bought 100% of the club but no problem with 50.5%

Not sure you understand business. If he has 50.5% he has complete control of the club and can do whatever he wants. You don't need 100% ownership to do that.

The only difference is there would be talks with the other Directors but if each party stuck to their voting lines the consortium would win every time.

if the deal went sour in the years to come wests ashfield may be willing to buy back the remaining 50.5% that is what I was meaning.
But I get it the consortium must be bad


With your reckoning why would they - you suggest that they might sell if they are not interested in running a football club. Then why would they buy it back if it went pear shaped.

this balmain fear wow
it all depends whether WA want to continue to run a football club or not I guess, if they want to share the costs with consortium or not.
If they dont then all good it still doesn't stop the COE at Concord inner west I guess so no harm done

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The only bloke on the planet i trust less than Elias would be Donald Trump, who is a convicted Rapist and Felon.He is the equal of Scott Morrison when it comes to accountability and trustworthiness,a man only in it for himself a complete fraud

Bbbut . . . Donald improved America's economic situation. Benny played a large part in making the Balmain Tigers extinct.

They have one thing in common. Both are has beens.

 

[tiger8]

Is there any non politically charged discussion on what Benny might do if his groups bid was to succeed? A few things going through my head ... West Ashfield would get a cheque? Maybe not if they can rid themselves of the loss making WT and keep the leagues club and pokies? How is the great COE owned / leased and how does that fall in to this? I feel there is just so much bias politics around this (and Benny) to actually see what this could mean. I joked about buying the club via members but what does it actually mean to do so? Just curious ... 🧐

 

[The_Patriot]

If he is going to take the team anywhere take them to the central coast. Still plenty of sydney games and some of us can get up the highway from time to time.

Even more so if the NRL conference system is approved. But in saying that we would be better off in the out of sydney conference over in perth lol. More chance to make it lol

Neither location will do me - it's Nambucca Heads or bust. I'm moving there in 5 weeks.

:8ball: :fishing_pole_and_fish: :golf: :golfer: :man-rowing-boat: :man-surfing: :man-swimming: :tennis: :man-biking: You'll love it there @mikey

That I will. Been going there on and off for nigh on 40 years. Got a couple of mates living there so it's dirt and road riding, fishing, **veggie growing**, homebrewing and kicking back from here on in. Not to mention a huge reno on the house we bought - worst house in a good street type scenario.
Can even do the run down to Sydney for a Tigers match now and then.

Should have moved to Byron.

 

[Magpieger]

Ah Benny...
Used to be a Big Cat...
Now a sly old dog...
A wolf in sheeps clothing.

 

[Cairnstigers]

If anyone has the stomach to listen to him... https://twitter.com/FOXNRL/status/1389873816525058049?s=19

Scratched nose at 43 seconds when talking about passion for tigers don’t believe him.

Rubbed nose at 43 seconds due to nose growing pains.

You can also tell that is lying because his lips are moving.

He didn't scratch his nose
He was rubbing the brown Stains off it

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1390207732511219717 Can we please get Brad Izzard to join The Wests Ashfield Club?

 

[dazza65]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1390207732511219717 Can we please get Brad Izzard to join The Wests Ashfield Club?

Yeah but he was a tough bastard he got up and played a blinder.
Great player but don’t want him near the club.

Also I loved Blocker’s swinging arm at the beginning-if he connects the panfers guy head ends up in the stand....lol

 

[tiger_one]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1390207732511219717 Can we please get Brad Izzard to join The Wests Ashfield Club?

Absolutely front-doored him, eh!

 

[jirskyr]

For the record I'm not really for or against Benny trying to buy up half of WT.

What I do find interesting is there's been a lot of commentary this year about what Tigers can do differently, given a whole host of coaches, managers, CEOs, staff, players have tried to lift the club to reasonably consistent success, and failed to do so.

It is generally agreed that one of the few consistencies throughout this period has been the board, notwithstanding the Wets 90% buyout of recent years putting it much more firmly in the Wests Ashfield court. We haven't really changed the Board much, aside from the Chairperson.

And a bloke comes along to suggest to buy a stake and shake things up a bit... and the forum reaction appears to be 99% negative. Here's your chance to shake things up folks, we can hardly do much worse on the NRL Ladder or our finals success record. If you are an advocate for shaking up the club structure and ownership, Benny is probably the only bloke who is going to make an offer this side of 2040 (pun intended). Take it or leave it, but if you leave it, you'll need to abandon your complaints about things Wests Ashfield might do in the future.

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

For the record I'm not really for or against Benny trying to buy up half of WT.

What I do find interesting is there's been a lot of commentary this year about what Tigers can do differently, given a whole host of coaches, managers, CEOs, staff, players have tried to lift the club to reasonably consistent success, and failed to do so.

It is generally agreed that one of the few consistencies throughout this period has been the board, notwithstanding the Wets 90% buyout of recent years putting it much more firmly in the Wests Ashfield court. We haven't really changed the Board much, aside from the Chairperson.

And a bloke comes along to suggest to buy a stake and shake things up a bit... and the forum reaction appears to be 99% negative. Here's your chance to shake things up folks, we can hardly do much worse on the NRL Ladder or our finals success record. If you are an advocate for shaking up the club structure and ownership, Benny is probably the only bloke who is going to make an offer this side of 2040 (pun intended). Take it or leave it, but if you leave it, you'll need to abandon your complaints about things Wests Ashfield might do in the future.

How on God's Earth is the ownership going to change how Nofo's defence will improve?

 

[jirskyr]

For the record I'm not really for or against Benny trying to buy up half of WT.

What I do find interesting is there's been a lot of commentary this year about what Tigers can do differently, given a whole host of coaches, managers, CEOs, staff, players have tried to lift the club to reasonably consistent success, and failed to do so.

It is generally agreed that one of the few consistencies throughout this period has been the board, notwithstanding the Wets 90% buyout of recent years putting it much more firmly in the Wests Ashfield court. We haven't really changed the Board much, aside from the Chairperson.

And a bloke comes along to suggest to buy a stake and shake things up a bit... and the forum reaction appears to be 99% negative. Here's your chance to shake things up folks, we can hardly do much worse on the NRL Ladder or our finals success record. If you are an advocate for shaking up the club structure and ownership, Benny is probably the only bloke who is going to make an offer this side of 2040 (pun intended). Take it or leave it, but if you leave it, you'll need to abandon your complaints about things Wests Ashfield might do in the future.

How on God's Earth is the ownership going to change how Nofo's defence will improve?

If the owner removes or influences the coach, then very quickly. Nofo's defence could become the Magpies' problem.