Former Essendon CEO Andrew Thorburn has reportedly engaged lawyers as a wrongful termination suit against the Bombers looms large.
Thorburn sensationally departed the club in October after less than 24 hours in the role, when his role as chairman of a church with strong anti-LGBTQI+ and anti-abortion views was revealed, leading to significant backlash led by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
Bombers chairman David Barham said at the time that Thorburn resigned amid the controversy, which has reignited debate over whether religious rights can mix with sports.
“This morning I saw him [Thorburn] first thing, and we spent most of the day talking and he decided [resigning] was what he would do,” Barham said at the time.
Thorburn was reportedly made to choose by the club to either leave his role as chairman of the City of the Hill church, or depart as Essendon CEO.
However, it was revealed by AFL journalist Sam McClure on Thursday evening that Thorburn is ‘retaining legal counsel’, with the threat of a ‘wrongful termination’ lawsuit against the Dons looming large.
It has since been reported by The Age that Thorburn is pursuing legal action over his departure from the Bombers, with their case centering on claims on ‘religious discrimination’ against the club.
“It is troubling that faith or association with a church, mosque, synagogue or temple could render a person immediately unsuited to holding a particular role,” Thorburn said in a statement immediately following his resignation.
“That is a dangerous idea – one that will only reduce tolerance for others, and diversity of thought and participation in our community and workplaces.”
Thorburn had initially been appointed by the Bombers after he was hired to conduct a review of the Essendon board and the club’s football operations.
His appointment and subsequent departure continued a period of off-field upheaval at the club, which saw previous CEO Xavier Campbell resign and four club board members also depart, as well as the sacking of coach Ben Rutten in August.
Thorburn has declined to comment on the new developments.
Redb
Roar Guru
I realise this is a bit old. But how pathetic was the due diligence here from EFC. Any recruitment, especially at 'C' level should evaluate experience, skills & cultural fit. Particularly the latter. The arguments about religious views and whether they should matter to a club are moot. The bloke has strong views which do not align with a tolerant club. Sort that out before you employ them.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Both Judaism and Islam condemn homosexuality in no uncertain terms. So if people want to say that ''you cant hold religious beliefs'' and be a CEO of a football team, then come out and say so. But dont play this cute game where you cherry pick phrases from the old testament to say ''this guy doesnt hold our values''. The Torah is where the old testament stories come from and the Koran IS the old testament!! Its only the Christians that adopted the ''do unto others as they would do unto you'' which they borrowed from the Greeks. Lets see how you hypocrites wiggle out of this one.
RT
Roar Rookie
Same, but I try not to be preachy about it.
Realist
Roar Rookie
I'm definitely an atheist.
RT
Roar Rookie
A lot of assumptions there. You sound like a blind & self righteous atheist.
Realist
Roar Rookie
I think Thorburn was just desperate to get the CEO tag next to his name again. Seriously did he ever ask himself if his core beliefs aligned with the institution he was to manage? Did he not think that this was in anyway important? I would have thought it essential. He really appears to be just another blind & self righteous bible basher.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"A turd in the hand is better than two in a glass?"
RT
Roar Rookie
They say he resigned, but who knows? Footy clubs love a bit of spin.
ScottD
Roar Guru
No, he was asked to choose between being the most senior officer of two different organisations that had each publicly stated different Values. he couldn't be the face of both organisations as he couldn't honestly say he support both if they were opposing Values. This has nothing to do with religion even though he is trying to make out it is. It was literally like being the CEO of an organisation that was anti abortion and then also being the CEO of an opposing organisation that advocated for abortion. How the heck can someone be in both those roles? He was asked to choose which organisation he wanted to represent and he did so. Any other representation is disingenuous. (p.s. I'm not referring to you here but to his recent statement)
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
They didn't fire him, he resigned. If he'd quit that hurt h job he'd still be there now
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yep, I don't disagree with you. Old boys club. Essendon need a slapping for that.
okapiman
Roar Rookie
All valid points. However, Essendon will come unstuck. The question I would ask Essendon is what type of research do you do before you employed him? As it appears any search on google shows he is a goose. So the issue for me is what sort of background check did Essendon do on this guy. It appears none. Straight after he was appointed a couple of people googled him - saw he had values from 300BC and flags were raised. Why didn't Essendon do that search? Or even deeper...
TeamAustralia
Roar Rookie
So the life long Essendon supporter now wants to sue the club - a complete banker....er w..
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Would Andrew be happy with thoughts and prayers as a resolution? Asking for a friend....
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Plus a bit of "ve ask the question here Herr Rowdy" ?
Eureka
Guest
Yep, that’s what I said Don!
Eureka
Guest
Exactly, great wisdom from Solomon. EFC could have allowed Thornburn to split his time and duties between both organisations.
Boo
Guest
What has American Tv got to do with my examples yr a classic case of someone who needs to belittle to be big .Andrew Thorburn has had to leave his job because the views of a legal body he is part of are held against him .If you don't see that as discrimination or a worry good luck .Now before you add I'm homophobic to your list of insults I have gay siblings and children and it matters not .Whilst I don't agree with Andrew Thorburn church s view he shouldn't have had to lose his employment .
Kevo
Roar Rookie
Essendon the club that just keeps imploding. Still have not recovered from their obstin ate de fiance and short sightedness during the drawn out drug debacle. Seems the place must be infested with soulless self interested coterie type para sites now. And then they go and appoint Thorburn as their perfect match - a match made in heaven. Personally I think a good old fashion public st0ning for Thorburn and the Essendon board plus 10 Hail Marys from Sheedy and we can all move on. Love this line from the Fin Review in early October "The appointment of former National Australia Bank boss Andrew Thorburn as the CEO of Essendon Football Club landed like a t1rd in the punch bowl".
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
You hit the nail on the head. I'd only add that he didn't show much contrition on behalf of the bank either. As you say, any functional organisation would have identified the multiple red flags a mile off. And I suspect he's got a pretty good chance of securing a settlement. EFC Prez is arguably the biggest goose in footy. And that is no mean feat in the boys club (aka the 'footy industry')