National Rugby League Newcastle Owner Nathan Tinkler To Be Forced Out Of The Club

National Rugby League side Newcastle Knights members club Chair Nick Dan said that Nathan Tinkler "will likely be forced to give up his troubled ownership" of the club, according to the AAP. Tinkler's three-year ownership of Newcastle "is under a cloud after he failed to pay the wages of several staff last week, reportedly including coach Wayne Bennett and star fullback Darius Boyd." Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group said that the outstanding wages "will be paid this week, but the millionaire's hold on the club is becoming increasingly untenable." Dan has called upon Hunter Sports Group "to transfer the assets of the Knights," including the A$10.5M ($9.8M) bank guarantee, to the members club with a view to setting up community ownership. Dan said, "Very much so. We have to (take legal action) now" (AAP, 5/19).