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.”
Griffo
Roar Guru
Great post Mid, thanks. I think Lee's first season will be to take stock - he's already indicated that all existing obligations and contracts will be honoured and in place. I don't expect a spending spree will occur, but new ownership brings optimism and perhaps a better calibre of player will be attracted to fill the remaining roster spots this pre-season. After that I expect we'll come to see what the new ownership will do for the onfield aspect, particularly if we fail to make the Final Series (again) in Season 12. There is a three year 'plan' in place to make the ACL. Nice to the air of ambition around the club again. Cautiously optimistic is right, but as with anything, time will tell. Already I like that the Emerging Jets and W-League sides will come back under the club's control and finances. Overall if in five years time we can look back and see stability as well as success, along with a bright future and plans to grow further, we can only be happy with that. It's the stability I'm particularly looking forward to (with fingers crossed). There's been little of that in our history, particularly in the A-League era.
JonJax
Guest
And yet our national football team are current Asian Champions- go figure!
Midfielder
Guest
Gorman was like that as well and he often on match day would go and speak to the RBB and other fans... LM is in a similar mould to these guys ...
Waz
Guest
They did, about $2m from memory.
Waz
Guest
Great to hear. David Pourre was the same at Roar before he left - would always meet fans, stood with them at away games, responded to emails, tweets and even joined supporters groups on Facebook and posted updates there. Made all the difference last year and was the polar opposite of his predecessor.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
There's more rich pickings here too: http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/06/15/nrl-announce-plans-to-sell-the-knights/
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Come on you guys! Is that the best you can do midweek. Surely there are heaps more negative angles and criticisms to the FFA selling the Jets. Come on fellas, the MeIbourne RuIes Med1a Dept isn't paying you to just sit around doing nothing.
albatross
Roar Pro
The Perth CEO, Peter Filopoulos, has shown the way forward to the other A-League clubs. He seems to put in a huge effort to change things around and engage with the football community. It might seem trivial but if one sends him a message on Twitter you will invariably get some form of acknowledgement - even if it's just a "like". I appreciate it might be the PG SM nerd doing it but the point is Peter Filopoulos has made it happen.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Perhaps, Carl, but that is not what JonJax said nor implied. Australia is a separate continent; this is not in dispute. Australia is in the Asian Football Confederation; also not in dispute. The A-League is engaging in Asia; also not in dispute. This is the Asian Century; in dispute but irrelevant regarding geography.
Fadida
Guest
Agree CK, I thought the FFA took over those?
Fadida
Guest
Great post Mid
Midfielder
Guest
Bondy Agree
Cameron
Roar Guru
They don't have to pay any debts Tinks may have a crewed?
c
Guest
good to know gw thanks
Bondy
Guest
Midfielder Lawrie will get the locals on board quick smart he engages with the public very well.. If the Jets could just make the finals next year that would be an outstanding year for them ....
Waz
Guest
It's called the AFC dummy, and we're part of it.
Waz
Guest
err, yes it is OUR money that is funding the club ... to the tune of at least $10m EVERY season. Can we get over this "fans don't invest" BS. We do, every year - fans have put more into BRFC than the Bakries have ever done!
Carl Spackler
Guest
Good point. Just taking a quick look at where the continental plates run. Technically parts of Indonesia and PNG are on the Australian continent. But there is definitely a split between Australia and Asia. But it is lazy to just refer to Australia as 'part of Asia'. We are as much a part of Asia as we are Africa or Antarctica. As for being the Asian century. Too early to tell. Depends who wins the war.
Carl Spackler
Guest
Another small football lesson, Australia technically OWNS Asia.
Midfielder
Guest
Castro what a F...........ing player ... great to see him back in the league ...