The National Rugby League reportedly approved the sale of the Gold Coast Titans to former co-Owner Darryl Kelly and former Chair Rebecca Frizelle, according to Steve Zemek of the AAP. The consortium reportedly defeated a rival bid from Brisbane-based businessman Stuart McAuliffe, with the deal to be announced on Thursday, according to News Corp. The NRL "took over the troubled franchise" in '14 "after it ran into financial difficulties." Frizelle was the league's first female chair but she "stepped down from the role in September to join the bid for the club" (AAP, 12/13). In Sydney, Brent Read reported McAuliffe "may not be lost to the club" after it emerged he had spoken to CEO Graham Annesley about sponsorship "should he be spurned by the NRL." McAuliffe, who launched a A$30M ($22.9M) bid for the club, is "resigned to missing out on the franchise." It is understood he "would like to be involved with the club regardless of the sale outcome, potentially as a financial supporter." The Titans are yet to secure a major backer for next season, although Annesley is "believed to be in talks with prospective parties." It is understood the Kelly-Frizelle bid is centered on a "long-term strategy that would result in the establishment of a leagues club on the Gold Coast, with the purpose of it supplementing club earnings." It is believed they have also indicated they would like to see the club "back in the hands of the community in the future" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/14).
