Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones has reportedly taken legal action against the Super Rugby franchise after the board’s decision to publicly stand him down on Monday.
According to reports by ABC Grandstand’s Tim Gavel and Chris Dutton from the Canberra Times, Jones has taken legal action to stop his unfair dismissal this afternoon at the ACT Supreme Court.
Jones stated that the board damaged his reputation by their actions, and that he had done nothing wrong.
More:
Brumbies stand down CEO, UC sues for defamation
Jones prides himself on his success of turning around the Brumbies’ financial situation since starting with the franchise in 2015 and believes the board’s decision was unwarranted.
His relationship with the board has been tarred in recent months after he forwarded documents onto the Australian Federal Police for investigation, which revolved around the club’s transactions between 2009 and 2013 during the sale of Brumbies HQ in Griffith.
Jones’ contract doesn’t expire until the end of 2017, leaving the board in a stalemate. Legal teams have reportedly met to discuss a possible mutual parting of ways, but no agreement has been made at this stage.
Jones was stood down following an extraordinary interview with Gavel on Saturday morning which was broadcast live to thousands of listeners in the Capital.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Jones stated.
“There are clearly issues from outside the organisation, and there are people having a hack at me.”
“Legally I don’t wish to impugn anybody, I don’t want to make enemies, and I haven’t named anybody and I haven’t made any accusations public,” he said.
“I’m being pushed pretty hard at the moment, so there’s always the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
“If I go to war it’s going to be ugly, and there’s going to be a lot of people who are going to get burnt by it.”
ARU boss Bill Pulver flew to Canberra on Monday to discuss the matters with Brumbies chairman Rob Kennedy informing the CEO of his decision hours later.
“It was with great regret that I informed Michael of the board’s decision,” Kennedy said in a statement.
“However, I believe this decision is in the best long-term interest of the Brumbies.”
Today Jones told Gavel that “he received significant support from the Brumbies major sponsors following his radio interview on Saturday.”
General manager of Community Rugby Craig Leseberg, has been appointed as the interim CEO.
Whatever the case, things only seem to be getting uglier in this sitation.
UPDATE: It seems as though Jones has succeeded in securing an injunction against the Brumbies. Jones has told ABC’s Tim Gavel that he’s looking forward to getting to work.
in Brief
Guest
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing". It's too early to say whether or not Jones was such a 'good man', but if he was fighting the good fight more kudos to him. In Australia we have been conditioned to believe that it is acceptable to lie to protect the organisation, even if it means deceiving the public/ stakeholders. This corruption of values in my view poses a huge risk to our quality of life, democratic values and freedom of speech. A rather extreme example of this was the BBC protecting Jimmy Saville for decades in Britain. An everyday example in Australia is the dodgy development deals done by local councils.
Same As It Ever Was
Guest
I can't argue with that . But i wise man once told my pride comes before a fall
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm dirty on Carmichael. But you can't ignore that he has actually left the Reds in a better position than when he started. The problem is if he resigned in 2013 it would have been a great position.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So poor decisions made by Brumbies people before Pulver even commenced his tenure are his fault?
Machooka
Roar Guru
Same... I can't help but nod my head in agreement as read through your 'list' of extraordinary achievements of Rugby administration in this country in the last few weeks or so. And yes it is very much the gift that keeps on giving... sadly. Where will it end... will it end?
Paul
Guest
So you took your membership enquiry to Michael Jones himself?
riddler
Guest
10 years ago?? remember as a kid hearing it 30 years ago..
Same As It Ever Was
Guest
No doubt about it ,Rugby administration in this country is the gift that keeps on giving Will declare that I formerly worked for a brief time in a senior Super Rugby role and I watch the continued soap opera of how the game is administered in this country with a morbid fascination So in the space of a few weeks we have 1 The once self professed great Jim Carmichael resigning from the Reds after presiding over the greatest coaching debacle in Super Rugby history and completing a reverse turnaround of the Reds finances. 2. The also once self professed greatest Rugby administrator in the country Greg Harris leaving the Waratahs gig after a brief tenure in which he completely failed to commercially capitalise on the Waratahs on field success . Oh and then he fires a parting shot at another of his myriad of former employers the Force stating they should be ditched for a Western Sydney team . That's a laugh from a bloke who has never been west of Camperdown 3. The CEO of the Shore Old Boys Club Pulver manages to totally disenfranchise further the grass roots constituents of clubland with his "piss it up against a wall " comment .Way to go Billy that's the way to bring the game together 4. And now the amazing Brumbies civil war that reads like an episode of House Of Cards featuring a CEO that has either gone completely rogue or has had enough of the complete incompetence and drinking from the trough behaviour of his Board and gone public on the whole shambles . All we need now is a Kurtley Beale story and we have a full deck . Oh that's right he's going overseas on the biggest contract since Tiger and Nike I love this game and I don't mean the one that has line outs and rucks
Owen
Guest
If the board refused to send the documents to the police does anyone believe Michael Jones would have let the issue die there? Of course not. We cannot be sure if current or past board members have knives in his back because he sent it to the police.
Owen
Guest
Just because the board was "aware" it was going to the AFP doesn't mean one or some of them will cone out looking great if the police find something. Boards have fiduciary responsibilities. If any of these Board members or their friends were in charge while the deals were done and things were serious. The board members at the time have a lot to worry about actually. But we have no idea what the issue was and have to wait for the report.
Mst
Guest
Seriously you cant be suggesting that you should let the people who may have committed an offence decide if it should be reported! , Brett McKay said | March 22nd 2016 @ 7:53pm | Report comment Apelu, the decision to pass the financial anomalies to both the ARU Integrity Unit and KPMG, and ultimately the AFP, was made in full consultation and agreement with the board last September. Reply
BeastieBoy
Guest
I would of thought that if there was any question of legality with the transfer of property it should have been fully disclosed to the directors to decide if the police should be called. after all they are legally liable. the way this article reads is that he went over their heads and reported it without discussing it with them. they would of felt if that is the case that he had an agenda outside of normal procedure.
RobC
Roar Guru
I wonder whats in the Brumbies news feed tomorrow.
David Sibley
Guest
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/michael-jones-unfair-dismissal-action-against-act-brumbies-20160322-gno8t2.html - going back to work, it seems!
AJ
Guest
I see you've been recycling a saying that was only mildly funny about 10 years ago.
Chris
Guest
If his conduct*, when I politely enquired about membership changes, is any guide, then I'm glad he is gone. *(I was accused of not being a "real fan" when I have played Rugby in the ACT since 1999 and have been a member since my childhood).
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I don't know anything about Jones, however he appears to be looking from the outside a bit if a maverick. For the sake of the team, let's hope this gets sorted one way or another. Probably not a bad thing the team being away at the moment.
Brett McKay
Expert
Apelu, the decision to pass the financial anomalies to both the ARU Integrity Unit and KPMG, and ultimately the AFP, was made in full consultation and agreement with the board last September.
Apelu
Guest
A CEO cannot act independent of the Board. I would have sacked him also, if he acted alone on calling the police, regardless of the merit of his case. It's an afront and subversion of the Board; it shows poor judgement if he did not talk to the Chairman of the Board.
Spencer
Guest
Terry...what have you got against pies..and people who eat them?