NRL 2024: Balmain chair Danny Stapleton, Benny Elias shut down joint venture exit rumours after shock Garry Leo comments

A furious Benny Elias and Balmain chair Danny Stapleton have shut down suggestions of friction at the Wests Tigers, insisting the board is fully committed to the joint venture, amid split rumours.

Reports have emerged claiming Balmain director Garry Leo wants his club to split from the Wests Tigers joint venture. Picture: Simon Chillingworth

Balmain chair Danny Stapleton has dismissed any suggestions of ructions as the Wests Tigers, insisting his board is fully committed to the joint venture and their partnership with the Holman Barnes Group.

Stapleton, who represents Balmain on the Tigers board, said he had personally contacted his fellow Balmain directors in the wake of reports that one of his directors – Garry Leo – wanted to split from the Wests Tigers and go it alone.

Stapleton said Balmain was committed to the Wests Tigers.

“I have spoken to my board,” Stapleton said.

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

Balmain chair Danny Stapleton insists his board is fully committed to the Wests Tigers joint venture.

“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.”

Leo told Nine newspapers that Balmain directors had lost faith in the Holman Barnes Group and were ready to vote to dissolve their relationship.

Holman Barnes Group are the majority owners of the Wests Tigers with a 90 per cent share in the club. Balmain own the other 10 per cent.

Stapleton flatly rejected suggestions that a vote would be held to end the partnership.

“I am telling you the board is 100 per cent behind the joint venture,” Stapleton said.

“There are no crisis meetings, no nothing.”

Reports have emerged claiming Balmain director Garry Leo wants his club to split from the Wests Tigers joint venture. Picture: Simon Chillingworth

Earlier, furious Balmain great Ben Elias has described a bid to dissolve the Wests Tigers joint venture as “farcical” and called for the rebel board member to be removed.

An angry Elias wants the Balmain board to immediately remove Leo, who played 173 first grade games for the Tigers between 1963 and 1974, as a director.

“Leo is delirious,” Elias said. “They are absolutely farcical comments.

“It’s a joke. There is no way in the world Balmain will separate from Wests Tigers. No way.

“It won’t happen in this century.

“The Balmain board should hold an emergency board meeting and sack Leo, effective immediately.

“Wests Tigers have a licence with the NRL. Balmain is a big part of Wests Tigers, just as Western Suburbs are. We are partners and will continue being partners.

“It has taken 25 years for Balmain and Wests to marry and it will go on for an eternity. We have built our brand over those 25 years.

“That relationship is as strong as it’s ever been. Splitting with Wests Tigers is totally unrealistic.”

Balmain legend Benny Elias has slammed a bid to dissolve the Wests Tigers joint venture. Picture: Getty Images

The move comes at a strange time with the federal government tipping in $40 million to upgrade Leichhardt Oval — Balmain’s traditional home ground.

Balmain’s financial problems have been well documented. If they were to go their separate ways, it could potentially lead to the return of Wests Magpies as an NRL entity, and Balmain relegated to NSW Cup status only.

The NRL is looking to expand to Perth in 2027, with plans for a 19th franchise by 2028 and ultimately a 20-team competition by 2030.

Frontrunners for those licences are Papua New Guinea, a New Zealand franchise and a fifth Queensland team, potentially based in Brisbane’s western corridor.

Sydney is already over-represented with nine clubs and the NRL would not give both Wests and Balmain places in the competition.

Balmain members are also aware the club would slip into obscurity by splitting with Wests Tigers.

The NRL would not include Wests and Balmain in their competition if the two parties separated.

Wests would probably remain due to their financial clout, leaving Balmain to languish in the lower divisions.