NRL Integrity Unit launches investigation into Roosters billionaires

The Sydney Roosters’ $2.4 billion supremo has hit out after he and Mark Bouris came under investigation over a Las Vegas incident.

Celebrity businessman Mark Bouris and Roosters supremo Nick Politis are reportedly under investigation by the NRL over a referee incident in Las Vegas.

The league’s Integrity Unit has reportedly been looking into a verbal confrontation between the rich-listers and a volunteer referee during the NRL Las Vegas Nines Tournament on February 28.

Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

As first reported by Code Sports, the referee has approached the NRL to lodge a complaint against the pair, claiming the Roosters chairman and board member acted in an “unacceptable and unprofessional” manner.

According to leading journalists Pamela Whaley and Phil Rothfield, volunteer referee Mitchell James alleged he was approached following a clash between the LA Roosters and Brisbane Veterans, who won 12-10 on the day.

Rothfield on Monday said on Sky Sports Radio the penalty count had been 9-0 in the Broncos’ favour.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talks to Mark Bouris. Picture: Supplied/ Jonah McLachlan,

James was then omitted from his touch judge duties for the later USA v Greece game, with officials informing him the decision was “in his best interest”.

In James’ three-page complaint, he claimed Bouris said to him: “I’ve seen a lot of football and that was a disgrace! You reffed us out of the game”.

Politis fired back at the claims levelled against the pair while Bouris gave his own version of events to News Corp.

“It is a shame this has been raised after our club went to so much trouble to support the NRL in Las Vegas” Politis said.

“We have invested a lot of money ($500,000) in the Los Angeles Roosters and will continue to support Peter V’landys’ mission to get a foothold in America.

“We stood there for eight hours over two days to support the Roosters at the Nines.

“When you see poor refereeing – the penalties were 8-nil against us – it’s very hard not to say something.

“I told the referee that his performance was poor but at no stage did we swear or act aggressively.

“I trust the NRL will look at all the facts and find that we have no case to answer.

“I’m extremely disappointed that headlines have been created out of nothing.”

Mark Bouris with Celebrity Apprentice contestant Stephanie Rice.

Roosters Chairman Nick Politis with James Tedesco after the 2019 NRL Grand Final. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

Bouris added: “Neither of us swore or were aggressive. We were never in his face.”

“No abuse, no confrontation, no swearing, no confrontation yet he’s tried to make us out as bullies.

“I said, ‘hey mate, that was one of the worst refereeing performances I’ve ever seen.’ Then Nick and I walked away.

“There were a lot of decisions he made that, in our opinion, were wrong. And I felt strongly about it. There were nine penalties against us and zero in our favour.

“I’ve never abused a referee in my life. That’s the only conversation I’ve ever had with one. And the suggestion that Nick and I tried to get him taken off the Greek game is bulls**t.”

NRL head of football Graham Annesley reportedly responded to the email, confirming the matter had been handed on to the NRL Integrity Unit.

“I hope you are OK and I apologise for any hurt you have experienced. Thanks for your contribution to our Las Vegas venture and for your ongoing commitment to rugby league,” Annesley wrote.

An NRL spokesperson told The Sydney Morning Herald: “The NRL Integrity Unit has been notified of the complaint and is gathering relevant information.”

In James’ email, he also claimed it cost him $7,000 to volunteer to officiate in Las Vegas, returning home soon after the Roosters incident.

Rothfield said on Monday he did not expect the NRL Integrity Unit to take any action against Politis and Bouris.

“I’m not suggesting the referee was biased or anything like that. It’s very hard to find referees these days and I don’t like any sort of abuse,” he said.

Rothfield went on to say: “It’s just something the game didn’t need. The Integrity Unit owe it to the referee, who went all that way, to properly investigate it. I’m not sure that too much is going to come out of it.”

Bouris’ net worth has been a close-kept secret since he first appeared as the host of reality TV competition ‘The Apprentice’.

However, it is well known the founder of Wizard Home Loans sold the business for more than $500 million.

Bouris, who previously featured on the BRW Rich List 200 and the Australian Financial Review rich list was rumoured to be worth around $200 million in 2023. That wealth has never been proven publicly.

Politis, meanwhile, was valued at $2.4 billion on the Financial Review’s 2024 rich list — making him the 60th richest person in the country.

The Roosters’ board of directors has for many years been the richest board in rugby league, but that has in recent years been challenged by bitter rivals South Sydney since James Packer, Russell Crowe and tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes bought stakes in the club.

The Roosters have bigger things to worry about after the club was thumped by the Broncos in their season-opener and there are worrying signs the proud Bondi club will be near the bottom of the ladder this season.

— with foxsports.com.au

Originally published as NRL Integrity Unit launches investigation into Roosters billionaires