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NRL chief executive Dave Smith says the problems facing the beleagured Gold Coast Titans were too big for the club’s board to handle.
On Tuesday the game’s governing body stepped in, taking control and guaranteeing the club’s long-term future on the tourist strip.
As the Titans reel from drug allegations surrounding five players, the club has been placed in voluntary administration, with the board conceding it could no longer continue to meet their financial obligations, including staff and player salaries.
The NRL is now the club’s sole owner, with original Titans chief executive Michael Searle stepping down as shareholder.
Graham Annesley will continue as CEO while chairperson Rebecca Frizelle and directors Darryl Kelly and Paul Donovan will remain on the board.
Smith said the NRL would control the club for as long as it takes, but the Titans board would still run the club.
“It is business as usual,” Smith said.
“This gives them (board) clear blue air to talk to our sponsors, to be prepared for round one against the Wests Tigers.
“This removes some of the noise, to attack the problems that exist, to remove the uncertainty around the Titans.”
Smith acknowledged that rugby league franchises had struggled in the past on the tourist strip but vowed to conquer the problems facing the Titans.
They are still without a major sponsor barely a week before the 2015 season kick-off.
Apart from financial concerns, a Gold Coast team has never been fully embraced by the community despite being considered a “league heartland” by Smith.
The NRL boss hoped their takeover would help finally win the fans’ trust.
“These problems are too big for the existing board to get across,” Smith said.
“(But) it’s not the end of the world, we will solve these problems.
“It’s not a lost cause. This is a league heartland.
“We will build a club the fans can be proud of.”
Meanwhile, Annesley insisted the restructure was “completely unrelated” to the crisis surrounding Titans players Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa.
“Timing, who knows? I can’t answer that question,” he said.
“The fact is we are here today dealing with the situation we are presented with.
“Every business needs financial stability and this club now has it.”
The players have been issued with court notices to face drug supply charges and are due to appear in court over the next fortnight.
They have been stood down pending their court appearances.
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