NRL news 2024 | Wests Tigers future under threat; Balmain Tigers breakaway; chairman rejects claims

Balmain chairman Danny Stapleton has vehemently rejected claims the club is looking to split from the Wests Tigers, confirming the board is entirely committed to the joint venture.

Balmain director Garry Leo told The Sydney Morning Herald, he is calling on fellow directors to call it quits with Wests.

The report stated that Balmain directors are preparing to call a vote on their involvement after growing frustrated by decisions from the club’s majority owner, the Holman Barnes Group (HBG).

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But Stapleton has now rubbished the report, saying the Tigers remain committed to the joint venture..

“I have spoken to my board,” Stapleton told News Corp.

“Balmain is fully supportive of the joint venture with the Holman Barnes Group, the Wests Magpies group and more importantly Wests Tigers.

“We want nothing but sustained success for Wests Tigers and we have a wonderful working relationship with Holman Barnes.

“I have spoken to every single board member and every board member has told me it is not true. We are solid as a rock.”

On Thursday evening, it was reported that Balmain were considering breaking away from the merger that was formed in 1999, with Leo saying the club was prepared to walk away from the troubled alliance and go it alone.

“I really believe the time has come for us to step aside and resurrect the Balmain Tigers,” Leo said.

“We’ve got more of a following than the Wests side of the merger. To be honest, we have lost faith in them. We’re getting Leichhardt Oval upgraded and we could play there every second week. If we can find the right backers, we want a shot at returning to the NRL.

“I don’t think the NRL would continue to allow the Wests Tigers to operate with the Tigers name without any involvement from Balmain. I really do believe the NRL competition needs a Tigers team. And not the Wests Tigers.”

Tigers legend Benny Elias denounced Leo’s comments, saying the club official is “delirious.”

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The explosive call comes ahead of the expiration of the current licensing agreement between the NRL and clubs.

Leo added he’d rather risk Balmain end up in the NSW Cup than staying on with the current system.

The ownership of the Tigers is spilt between Balmain and HBG. Balmain owns 10 per cent of the club, and HBG owns 90 per cent. Western Suburbs Magpies owns 30 per cent of HBG.

Balmain’s plan comes after a report Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell could leave his role after HBG told him he’d have to reapply.