British Billionaire Marwan Koukash Wants To Own NRL Club By Next Year's Kickoff

Super League rugby side Salford Red Devils Chair Marwan Koukash "is prepared to pay cash up front" in an attempt to fulfill his ambition of purchasing a National Rugby League team before next year's kickoff, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Koukash already owns the Salford Red Devils, saving the club from financial ruin, "and has now turned his attention to an Australian club." While the British billionaire would not divulge the "two or three clubs" he is in discussions with, Newcastle is believed to be among them. Koukash said that "he would be prepared to provide a bank guarantee" to allay concerns he would not be around for the long term. Koukash said, "I've been working on two or three fronts. Obviously not everything is in my hands, it's in the hands of other people as well. I'm just trying to see if something can be finalized at the start of next season" (SMH, 8/26).