Nathan Tinkler has made a remarkable turnaround and taken back ownership of the Newcastle Jets after mediation with FFA chairman Frank Lowy.
Nathan Tinkler and his Hunter Sports Group sensationally handed back the club’s A-League licence on the eve of the finals several weeks ago, citing issues with football’s governing body, including the acquisition fee it paid for the Jets and the saga surrounding Jason Culina.
It appears face-to-face talks between the two billionaires has resulted in the conflict between Hunter Sports Group and the FFA being resolved.
The FFA has confirmed the resolution with an announcement this afternoon (see below).
Tinkler, who also owns the Newcastle Knights and has mooted possibly backing Newcastle teams in the NBL and WNBL, faced a backlash in the Hunter from Jets fans after handing in the licence.
A courtroom battle between HSG and the FFA, now averted, was on the cards and local Newcastle businessmen had been sounded out to bankroll the Jets.
The end of the dispute between Tinkler and the FFA is a rare piece of good news for the governing body, which is funding a new Western Sydney club and has been involved in a running battle with former Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer.
FFA MEDIA RELEASE on the Newcastle Jets and HSG
Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Hunter Sports Group (HSG) have today reaffirmed their commitment to working together for the good of the Newcastle Jets, the Hyundai A-League and football in the Hunter Valley.
The announcement follows talks that have resolved various issues related to the operation of the Hyundai A-League licence held by HSG. As a result, the Newcastle Jets under the ownership of HSG will continue to participate in the Hyundai A-League.
FFA Chairman, Mr Frank Lowy AC, and HSG Chairman, Mr Nathan Tinkler, held face-to-face talks over the weekend. Mr Lowy said the discussions were characterised by goodwill brought to the table by both parties.
“It was a good opportunity for Nathan and I to meet face-to-face and resolve the issues that had affected the relationship between FFA and HSG,” said Mr Lowy. “FFA has made some concessions in good faith in order to resolve the matters.
“When Nathan first took on the Newcastle Jets, I welcomed his commitment to running a strong and successful A-League club in Newcastle on behalf of the community of the Hunter region.
“Today, my confidence is renewed over Nathan’s personal drive to make the Jets and the Hyundai A-League successful. We agreed on a way forward that addresses the issues HSG have raised and we are now going to get on with developing the game together in a key region for football.
“With more than 10,000 Jets members and an average crowd this season over 12,000 HSG has demonstrated its ability to engage with the community and to run a successful team and club.”
Mr Tinkler said that from time to time parties in any business will have differences, but that there is now an opportunity for FFA and HSG to work together in achieving shared goals.
“Frank Lowy flew to Brisbane to meet with me face-to-face and I took that as a sign of goodwill,” said Mr Tinkler. “It was a gesture I certainly appreciated.
“I welcomed the opportunity to meet and discuss these issues in person. We now have a way forward and I remain committed to ensuring the Newcastle Jets is one of the most successful clubs in the Hyundai A-League.
“I am delighted to be able to support the Newcastle Jets on behalf of football fans in the Hunter region and to continue to build a strong relationship with the community.
“When I first made this commitment I did it on behalf of the community and I am committed to further developing football and sport in a community I grew up in and am proud of.”
Evan Askew
Guest
Thanks Fuss and Philip.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Well said, both of you.
JimmyMac
Guest
Spot on.. and the mud sticks, when it comes to the attitude of the everyman towards the A-League.
Australian Rules
Guest
Qsaf, your mysterious infatuations with soccer billionaires who claim to love the sport is troubling indeed. Are you really a fem-bot...programmed by Clive to push anti-FFA spin?
totti
Guest
i didn't realise cockerill wrote anything outside his vandetta against harry kewell and pumping up his good mate arnie. he really isn't much of a journalist.
jbinnie
Guest
Lucan - you are 100% correct. Our 2 protagonists miss the important point that you make and get into that grey area of gossip,innuendo, and hearsay in putting forward their discussion points.Does it really matter what transpired between these 2 men?. We'll probably never know and it does not affect the outcome whether we are party to the discussions or not,what is important is that last season, a club that showed all the attributes of what the FFA is trying to get clubs to achieve,increased memberships,increased gates, community involvement,improved on-field performance, has been saved from the scrap-heap and I for one,and you obviously, couldn't care less if we are not party to every meeting, we are just thankful that common sense has prevailed.jb
jbinnie
Guest
Peter - Nice "common sense" comment. Only one little question, "who stirred the pot"???? (Tony Sage appears not to have forgotten) jb
Lucan
I think Fuss' and QSAF are missing what this vagueness and deliberate lack of detail provides. Both sides can claim some sort of moral victory, and both sides can save some face. There doesn't have to be one winner and one loser out of these negotiatons and compromises.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Ian----go back and do what ever it is you do in your little world... trolling is juvenile
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
It all depends how you see it Fuss...Tinkler was flatly refused his demands and said his your licence back Frank either you give me what I want or I'll pull out... Frank and Ben said NO! see you in court Nathan.. Tinkler said fine.. Frank flies to Brisbane and says hang on Nathan, here are the concession we refused you; now will you come back? OK Frank, now you are being reasonable.. Frank looks like the clown to me in this whole affair..!
super G
Guest
Yes, loved the picture of the A-League symbol ripped down the middle. Loved the derogatory comments printed by readers laughing at our game. Those poor delude souls who think this football fad will dissapear into obscurity again in no time are kidding themselves. Our game is here to stay. League will be left behind by human evolution down the track serving as a voyeur spectacle played by very few and watched only on TV.
super G
Guest
Spot on JAJI. All the ingrateful bums calling for him to walk should appreciate for once what a difference it makes to have a man of his power and influence in charge of our game. Towards the end of the NSL era we had a guy called Ian Knopp. Ever heard of him? ....didn't think so.
Axelv
Guest
Yet we are told that it's all in our heads and that we should take the tin foil hats off :lol: The anti football media bias is clearly evident. Though it's not a conspiracy, it's just common sense. SOCCER RIOTS SOCCER FAILS SOCCER FOLDS SOCCER DIVE :lol:
Axelv
Guest
There is a doomsdayer posting above you called Qantas hates Australian Football ;)
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Nice little article that sums it all up. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/war-is-over-lowy-tinkler-call-jets-truce-20120501-1xxac.html
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
How does the Australian Press treat the A-League? When the news broke it made all the papers and news stories, that Tinkler was pulling out and that the A-League was "in ruins" the Daily Rugby League Telegraph had the last 3 pages of its newspaper reporting how the A-League "was in crisis and only a matter of time before it folded" Now that Tinkler has made up, the A-League has survived and will even get stronger, there is hardly a mention in the press. Seems like wishful thinking from the biased news editors that the A-League would curl up and die.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Not one cent Sam. The Jets are privately owned by Tinkler. The Western Sydney government money is not for western Sydney - its for grassroots football and the development of womens and youth football in the area. West Sydney is owned, managed and financed by the FFA. Tinkler actually has only paid 500K of his license fee and owes the FFA another 3 million to start with. How much government money has gone towards setting up the basket case GWS Giants who will lose more money this year than the whole A-League competition in 7 years.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Tinkler has agreed to honour the terms of the contract, that is continue with the Jets till 2020.
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
Great news - this will have a flow on affect for the Media rights and the profitibility of clubs in the future. NJ will bounce back and they still have everything in place to carry on Business as usual. Both sides deserve credit for coming to an agreement. The other good news today was the owners forum and A-League steering committee, which has also settled all 10 of the major issues put on the table to the benefit of BOTH parties. Once West Sydney kicks off should be a great season and no disrespect to Clive Palmer and the GCU supporters, but the attendances, ratings and revenues will rise again next season. All this trouble has actually made the A-League stronger and the FFA and owners more committed than ever to work together to make the game a success.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Legal advisers Greedy, Screwem, Goode and Harde and Associates advised Nathan Tinkler and HSG to avoid a court case they weren't going to win. I'm amazed at the tripe still being thrown at the FFA for all this. Both sides had to make a compromise on the deal otherwise there wouldn't have been a breakthrough. The FFA made the biggest concession, withdrawing a $100 million compensation claim that most legal advisors expected the FFA to win. And who took the trouble to fly half way round the world to meet up with Tinkler face to face and offer an olive branch. Some of you guys should take a good hard look at yourselves and ask yourselves are you really an Australian football fan.