weststigers4life
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http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nr … 6504910333
RUGBY league has claimed one back in its unofficial battle with the AFL in western Sydney with the Wests Tigers head-hunting Grant Mayer from GWS.
The former Manly chief executive will this morning be unveiled as the Tigers' new general manager of commercial operations - a role he served for the fledgling AFL club for three years.
Interestingly, he last night identified the Wanderers as much as a threat to rugby league as AFL - but said the new $1 billion television broadcast deal gave the game a strong footing.
"They are the sleeping giant," Mayer said of the Wanderers, who had their first A-League win with victory over premiers Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.
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"They have gone about their business very quietly. Participation numbers in western Sydney are very big, and the Wanderers' crowds have been terrific.
"But there's no doubt that league's resources and finances are significant. The TV deal has been terrific. There are two million people in western Sydney.
"What we're doing is giving them choice, but the strength for rugby league is that it has been here for a long, long time now. You can always do more. The opportunity to grow the game in the west is there."
Mayer's appointment is also significant. It comes a week after the Parramatta Eels unveiled former ANZ Stadium boss Ken Edwards as their football chief executive.
"Our club already enjoys a high profile in the game of rugby league but with Grant's guidance, I'm sure we will become one of the leading sports organisations in Australia," Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said.
"I have no doubt we will benefit greatly from having someone with Grant's knowledge and expertise."
Mayer comes on board amid a belief the Tigers are struggling financially - something Humphreys rubbished when Mick Potter was named coach last week.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
RUGBY league has claimed one back in its unofficial battle with the AFL in western Sydney with the Wests Tigers head-hunting Grant Mayer from GWS.
The former Manly chief executive will this morning be unveiled as the Tigers' new general manager of commercial operations - a role he served for the fledgling AFL club for three years.
Interestingly, he last night identified the Wanderers as much as a threat to rugby league as AFL - but said the new $1 billion television broadcast deal gave the game a strong footing.
"They are the sleeping giant," Mayer said of the Wanderers, who had their first A-League win with victory over premiers Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.
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"They have gone about their business very quietly. Participation numbers in western Sydney are very big, and the Wanderers' crowds have been terrific.
"But there's no doubt that league's resources and finances are significant. The TV deal has been terrific. There are two million people in western Sydney.
"What we're doing is giving them choice, but the strength for rugby league is that it has been here for a long, long time now. You can always do more. The opportunity to grow the game in the west is there."
Mayer's appointment is also significant. It comes a week after the Parramatta Eels unveiled former ANZ Stadium boss Ken Edwards as their football chief executive.
"Our club already enjoys a high profile in the game of rugby league but with Grant's guidance, I'm sure we will become one of the leading sports organisations in Australia," Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys said.
"I have no doubt we will benefit greatly from having someone with Grant's knowledge and expertise."
Mayer comes on board amid a belief the Tigers are struggling financially - something Humphreys rubbished when Mick Potter was named coach last week.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_
