Rugby League club Balmain Chair Leslie Glenn said that the foundation club "is willing to listen" to offers from English billionaire Marwan Koukash as it "explores every avenue in its quest to remain a shareholder" in National Rugby League side Wests Tigers, according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Koukash, who owns Salford in Britain’s Super League, "is due to arrive in Australia next month and has made no secret of his desire to purchase an NRL franchise." Newcastle "was thought to be his preferred option." However, that deal "appears unlikely to happen, leaving Koukash to explore his options elsewhere." Balmain, which owns 50% of Wests Tigers, "has become the first club to express an interest in talking to the enigmatic billionaire." Glenn said, "Give him our number -- we’ll talk with anyone. We have to explore every opportunity" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/24). The PA's Ian Laybourn wrote although "frustrated with the club's failure to reach the
play-offs this year and his own lack of progress in his bid to force
radical changes to the way the game is run in this country, Koukash is
keen to increase his involvement." He has submitted plans to build a new stadium for
neighboring Championship club Swinton and "is planning to fly out to
Australia next month to finalise a deal for an NRL club which he aims to
twin with Salford." Koukash: "I'm looking at three clubs. There were two but in the last week or so another opportunity has arisen" (PA, 9/23).
SETTLING DEBTS: In Sydney, Adrian Proszenko wrote Balmain directors "will officially be removed from the Wests Tigers board this week" and will not have a say until they are able to settle their debts. Most "consider it an insurmountable financial obstacle, particularly while there is uncertainty about Balmain's planned premises at Rozelle, but Koukash has the means to secure the foundation club's future." This is not the first time Balmain Dir Jim Myatt "has had to initiate a fighting fund." The Australian Power and Gas founder raised about A$6M for Australian Football League club Richmond Tigers, "mainly through supporter pledges." Balmain "will launch a fighting fund at a gala event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 1989 grand final at their Five Dock premises, but finding a generous benefactor or buyer remains Balmain's best shot at survival" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/23).