Billionaire owner Nathan Tinkler has apologised to Newcastle Jets fans, players and staff for plans to walk away from the club but insists the A-League is doomed to fail.
Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group rocked the competition on Tuesday by announcing it would hand back its A-League licence for the Jets due to “irreconcilable” differences with Football Federation Australia.
The matter appears headed for an expansive court battle, with FFA insisting HSG has no legal grounds to hand back a licence it holds until 2020.
Tinkler says he feels for those involved with the club but insists he had no choice after being “fobbed off” by FFA over several issues, including why the club was charged a reported $5 million to acquire the team’s licence.
“I feel as though we have let them (fans, players and staff) down and I apologise for this,” Tinkler told News Ltd on Thursday.
“However we were left with no choice by the FFA administration, which continues not to answer some pretty simple questions.
“We ran out of patience after months of being fobbed off by the FFA administration.
“They have not communicated the answers we have been seeking in regard to why we were charged a licence fee and commissions were paid, when other clubs were not charged a cent.”
FFA have denied HSG were unfairly charged to acquire the team’s licence, saying the fees were fair, given the club was already up and running, and decided upon after a negotiation process.
But Tinkler, who also owns the Newcastle Knights NRL team, also has serious issues with the game’s administration and believes the A-League is destined to fail in Australia.
“Rugby League is an established product, which evolved through the Super League war to become the outstanding product it is today,” Tinkler said.
“Soccer has an ownership model of established losses, a failure by the FFA to engage with communities and no sound commercial basis for its business relationships.
“These have combined to guarantee the A-League’s failure in Australia.
“While the A-League is funded by the club’s owners, they receive no input into the direction or governance of the game in Australia or the competition.
“That is a very different proposition to the NRL.
“A-League owners are 100 per cent accountable with absolutely no input into their own competition.
“It must change before more clubs are lost.”
Tinker’s comments came despite FFA’s recent formation of the joint A-League Strategic Committee which will allow club owners to have a greater input in the governance of the game.
FFA is reportedly preparing a lawsuit against HSG and could seek damages of more than $50 million, in a pursuit that could enjoin HSG, the Jets, the Knights and both Tinkler and HSG chief executive Troy Palmer.
Despite the possibility of the Knights becoming involved in the battle, Tinkler reassured his full commitment to the NRL club.
“We have full confidence in the current administration of the game (NRL), unlike the FFA,” he said.
Australian Rules
Guest
Mining Tax..??? It's been revealed that Palmer's main company, Minerology, paid ZERO tax for the last 3 financial years. http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/8450091/palmer-company-hasnt-paid-tax-for-3-years And this man has the audacity to complain about mining taxes and what is "fair"?
Kasey
Guest
at last night's new WS club fan forum... To Newcastle supporters Lyall Gorman said this "Don't be confused between public voice and reality. We will save the Jets"
Axelv
Guest
There appears to be a common factor here, James Brown is a club killer!!!! Let's hope that Melbourne Heart sign him next! :lol: But in all seriousness I think one way or another Newcastle Jets will be fine, they can't die!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I always thought Pinky was the brighter of the two just easily led, Brains just had more confidence
jamesb
Guest
Titus your spot on the money
TomC
Guest
One is a genius, the other's insane. Hmm, maybe not.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I'm not entirely sure why however this entire episode makes me think of Pinky and the Brain, with Palmer cast as Brain and Tinkler as Pinky...........
Maughan
Guest
They often pay relatively little for such rights. They make a handy daytime filler.
pete4
Guest
Wookie - I have actually wondered if the AFL is broadcast in any other country? (Serious question) I know they where speaking about expansion to South Africa at one stage? Do they get games there?
Titus
Guest
FFA have done alot wrong, and justifiably have a lot of critics, but everything they do is because they want the best for the game. The game has been besieged by many problems for a long time and they face a lot of difficulty in bringing the game into the mainstream without the revenue/resources. Palmer and Tinkler dabbled in the world game, got bored, tried to bring the whole thing down.
jamesb
Guest
Hey guys do you reckon the mining tax is taking a bite in the mining magnates wealth of Palmer, tinkler and Sage? Maybe it explains why all three want out of the A-league if Sage wants to join the exit door as well.
jamesb
Guest
"- Lack of maturity of Nathan Tinkler - Lack of attention by FFA to the concerns of owners" also add lack of communication
Paul
Guest
I think this just shows: - Lack of maturity of Nathan Tinkler - Lack of attention by FFA to the concerns of owners. Pity the Novocastrians and the whole football community from Port Stephens to Muswellbrook.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
ok, so the legal entity that owns both the Knights and Jets is HSG? Well, that makes things very, very difficult for Tinkler if he wanted to continue witih the Knights without worrying about the Jets!
Titus
Guest
Well from what I can tell he payed less than most, apart from those who started the clubs from scratch. He has no ground to stand on there.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Ive wondered recently whether they get a package deal from foxtel as they cover 2 games a week of the AFL and NRL (plus finals) on fox soccer plus.
Tim
Guest
Tinkler would have thought that an acquisition fee would have been the same for all clubs, surely someone thats willing to invest in the league has to have that trust in the organisation he is dealing with? This all comes back to Buckley, always quick to explain why the Jets had to pay over the odds, yet to explain the Adelaide situation....we wants answers Ben!
Kasey
Guest
If you think Tinkler got screwed, what do you think about the 10,000+ jets ticketed members? Due Diligence is the key. FFA sold and Tinkler bought. If he thought he was paying too much he should have said something when he voluntarily brought forward the contract to upgrade his provisional licence to the full 10 year jobbie.
pete4
Guest
More news today Fox Soccer extending it's deal showing the A-League in the US. Anyone know how much this is worth?? Fox Soccer renews Hyundai A-League exclusive media rights in USA http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Fox-Soccer-renews-Hyundai-ALeague-exclusive-media-rights/46827
Titus
Guest
I don't think it would be hard for Tinkler to get out of the licence, he just needs to break the conditions of the license and the FFA will be forced to take it back. However, the damage that Tinkler and Palmer have done by breaking the license, breaking contracts and the effect this has had on the value of the competition is large and I hope this is recognised by the courts when damages are sought against them. These guys are grubs and someone needs to put them in their place.