- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The Newcastle Jets have unveiled their fourth owner in 11 years, with FFA announcing they have sold the club to the Ledman Group, a company headed by Chinese millionaire Martin Lee.
The new owners have also swiftly installed a new CEO, with former Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna to now head up the club’s front office.
Ledman have an established connection with football, with the LED signage manufacturer already owning the Shenzhen Renren club in the Chinese League Two, and acting as a naming rights partner in Portugal’s second league.
“We see a bright future for football across Asia and the Hyundai A-League is at the forefront as one of the top professional leagues in the region,” said Lee.
“The investment aligns with Ledman’s activities in several sectors of the sports industry and I’m excited by the potential of the club.”
And after a series of false starts under former owners Con Constantine and Nathan Tinkler, Lee has promised to work with the local community.
“Most of all, I understand that the Newcastle Jets are a very important part of the Newcastle community,” he said.
“I want to work closely with everyone in Newcastle, the fans, members and the local football community, to make this club the best it can be.
“In the coming months we will announce ways in which the community, and especially club members, can have a regular say in the running of the Jets. We will also announce a board which will include a minimum of two local directors.
“All existing agreements with Jets staff, sponsors, suppliers, and the community at large will be honoured in full following the formal handover from FFA to Ledman.”
In welcoming Ledman’s investment in the local game, FFA CEO David Gallop praised the Chinese company’s sports knowledge.
“I warmly welcome the Ledman chairman and majority owner Martin Lee to Australian football and the Hyundai A-League,” said Gallop.
“Over the past few months of talks over the purchase we have been impressed by Ledman’s plans and ambitions for the Newcastle Jets as part of its global football investments.
“I’m pleased that from the outset community engagement and football development in Newcastle and northern NSW have been top priorities for Ledman.
“This move is significant for the way it demonstrates the Hyundai A-League’s multiple connections to Asia.”
McKinna’s role
A Central Coast legend, having both coached the Mariners and served as Gosford’s mayor, the appointment of McKinna as CEO of his former F3 Derby rivals could be seen as controversial.
However, McKinna was making all the right noises at the announcement, reminding locals of his history in the Steel City.
“I am excited to be taking up the challenge of administering one of the Hyundai A-League most unique clubs, and look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue with Jets members and supporters soon as we seek to take the club from strength to strength,” he said.
“I was a player, albeit briefly, with Newcastle Breakers in the National Soccer League, and like many people have long recognised the enormous potential that exists for professional football in Newcastle.
“With Ledman’s backing combined with the continued support of our local and national stakeholders, I feel that we can build something big here in the Hunter.”
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.