NRL 2023: Wests Tigers re-sign Jahream Bula, re-elect chairman Lee Hagipantelis for further three years

Wests Tigers secured one of the club’s most important signings in years on the same day chairman Lee Hagipantelis was re-elected. Full signing details.

West Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis (R) has been re-elected. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

Wests Tigers have produced two stunning calls that will have a major bearing on their future by re-appointing chairman Lee Hagipantelis for another three years in addition to re-signing rising star Jahream Bula on a massive new deal worth around $2.8 million.

Of a significant impact to the club’s desperate search for success, both the extension of Hagipantelis and re-signing of Bula while separate and unrelated, will spark widespread debate among the Wests Tigers fan base.

In an extraordinary rapid rise to prominence, Bula, one of the leading candidates for Dally M rookie of the year, has produced a Cinderella story that the game has rarely, if ever, seen before.

This time last year, the 21-year-old was without an NRL club and only earned a train and trial contract with the Wests Tigers last November.

His new upgraded deal has catapulted him into the game’s highest earners with his new deal averaging out at $700,000 a season until the end of 2027.

Wests Tigers lock Jahream Bula down until the end of 2027. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty

After 18-games in his debut season, Bula was also voted as the club’s Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year, following an incredible year where he displayed amazing efforts in defence, and equally in attack, which at-times was beyond his years.

“I want to stay here as long as I can,” said Bula.

“The club blessed me with this opportunity and I’m not in this position without them. I want to hopefully win a championship here one day, that’s my goal.”

Benji Marshall, who will take over as head coach in 2024, says it’s massive news for the club.

“We are super excited to be able to sign Jahream to a long-term deal,” Marshall said.

“He has been an exciting young talent and proven his toughness in first grade in his debut season.

“This is only the beginning for Jahream, and we look forward to him being a massive part of our future at the Wests Tigers.

“He is a humble and hard-working young man who displays all the attributes I want our club to look like in the future.”

TIGER KING REIGNS

Hagipantelis’ extension has emerged after gaining unanimous support from his fellow board members.

Hagipantelis was re-elected at a board meeting on Monday and will now remain in the hot seat at the club until at least the end of 2026.

The principal of Brydens Lawyers took over as chair at the end of 2019 replacing former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell.

Hagipantelis said he remained committed to turning the club around after back to back wooden spoon finishes.

“I am humbled by the appointment,” Hagipantelis said.

“It’s confirmation that as a club we believe that we are heading in the right direction and I look forward to leading it over the next three years.

“It has been a difficult period in the club’s history and I am honoured to be endorsed by the board and our stakeholders as its steward moving forward.”

Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis has been re-elected. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty

COACHING EVOLUTION

The Tigers decision to opt for stability in the chair role comes as the club is in the midst of major change after moving on from coach Tim Sheens.

Sheens parted ways with the club after the Tigers finished with their second consecutive wooden spoon.

Club legend Benji Marshall has stepped into the role 12 months ahead of schedule and faces a testing maiden season in charge as he attempts to lift the club off the foot of the ladder.

The club is also locked in a search for a new head of football, although any appointment has been delayed until an independent review has been completed into their operations.

This masthead understands that a Tigers official reached out to former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika about a month ago.

It is understood that no formal role or offer was discussed. However, the parties plan to speak again once Cheika’s World Cup commitments with Argentina come to an end.

Tigers great and assistant coach Robbie Farah has been at the centre of talks between the parties - Farah worked alongside Cheika with the Lebanon team at last year’s World Cup.

Tigers five-eighth Adam Doueihi is a cousin to Cheika.