Shane Richardson quits as Wests Tigers, as Inner West Mayor issues dire survival warning
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne believes the joint-venture is fighting to remain in the NRL after the civil war gripping Wests Tigers claimed a fifth high-profile victim.
The political infighting at Wests Tigers has claimed a fifth high-profile victim with Shane Richardson resigning as club chief executive amid a dire declaration from Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne that the joint venture club may soon “cease to exist.”
Richardson informed Wests Tigers staff on Monday morning of his departure before the club released a statement in the afternoon.
“If this level of chaos and dysfunction is allowed to continue, and we don’t draw a line in the sand, then there is a very real risk that Wests Tigers will simply cease to exist as an NRL franchise,” said Byrne.
“If we don’t take a stand now and send a message that we want the Wests Tigers to survive, we don’t need to look very far in the inner-west to see what could happen. Ask a Newtown fan or North Sydney Bears fan how they felt when their team was no longer in the competition. We want to save our club.”
Richardson’s shock exit comes after four independent directors, including former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, were dumped from the club’s dysfunctional board just last week.
“His resignation paves the way for a new path forward for the football club,” said Holman Barnes CEO Daniel Paton.
“We will be making an announcement about the new leadership in the near future.”
While that announcement is likely to be the appointment of Manly’s Tony Mestrov as new Wests Tigers CEO, former Central Coast Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp has become a last minute candidate to become the club CEO.
Mielekamp enjoys support from several strategic powerbrokers at Concord.
This masthead has been told that Richardson – just 18 months into a four-year deal at Concord – and the club have agreed to a termination payout.
“All I know is that I’ve done my best, I’ve done what I think is right, but at the end of the day it wasn’t good enough. I will not be that person, or one of those people, that bags this club when I leave,” he said.
Asked about the possibility that the backroom brawling could prompt star players Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula to leave, Richardson said: “They have a task on their hands now but I can’t do anymore.
BREAKING: Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has been shown the door.
— Darcy Byrne (@MayorDarcy) December 8, 2025
Fans and supporters demand a real say in our Club. Join us for a rally this Saturday, 10:30 at Pratten Park. Spread the word. pic.twitter.com/vzP17vLKF8
“Everybody is an expert but nobody really knows just how much pain you’ve got to go through to make the decisions to set the club up, in a position both on and off the field, to be successful,” he said.
“They are hard decisions and one thing I have never backed away from are hard decisions.”
Richardson was accused of failing to inform the Holman Barnes Group – Wests Tigers’ chief financial backers – of several significant decisions, an allegation he has denied.
O’Farrell took to social media to praise Richardson, saying: “It’s been a pleasure – and at times an unexpected education – to have worked with Shane Richardson for the past three years.
“‘Richo’s’ focus, experience and ability to recruit talent to the club and front office delivered the great results for the club’s match attendances, sponsorship revenue & membership.
“He was delivering on Jack Gibson’s truism that ‘winning starts in the front office’.
“No club can afford to lose someone with the experience and ability of someone like Shane. By any measure it’s a big loss. #InBenjiWeTrust.”
Richardson’s departure was accepted by the Holman Barnes Group.
“We thank Shane for his service,” said Paton. “We again wish to reassure our fans and the broader NRL of our commitment to the joint venture.
“We intend for everyone to move forward together as one, and will be driving this reality through a new CEO and leadership.”
Originally published as Shane Richardson quits as Wests Tigers, as Inner West Mayor issues dire survival warning
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