Gold Coast Titans one of just two NRL clubs yet to wield staff axe in wake of coronavirus epidemic
While nearly every club in the NRL has slashed costs, stood down staff and made employees redundant, the entire Titans staff of about 50, excluding players, currently remains employed and on full pay.
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The NRL club that was tipped to be the first to crumble is one of the last standing.
The Gold Coast Titans are yet to make any significant changes to their club structure following the indefinite suspension of the 2020 NRL season.
Nearly every other club in the NRL has slashed costs, stood down staff and made employees redundant.
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But the entire Titans staff of about 50, excluding players, currently remains employed and on full pay.
The Titans and Sydney Roosters are the only two clubs yet to announce wholesale changes to stay afloat with no broadcast and game-day revenue.
The Titans are still assessing their financial situation and are likely to make changes following a board meeting on Friday.
But CEO Steve Mitchell is adamant the club will not have to sack numerous employees to stay afloat.
“We didn’t want to react really quickly, we wanted to be as considered and informed as we could be,” he said.
“The government initiatives around support have been coming daily and we were conscious of what we were going to do.
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“We want all of our people with us when we get through the back end of this. We want to get back to business as quickly as possible.
“We’re taking our time. The competition was only suspended nine days ago. We want to get our modelling right.
“We’re all under significant financial pressure. A lot of the other clubs have gone back to skeleton staff and redundancies. We won’t be going to that extent.
“There will definitely be a change in our model in the short term. We need to adapt, similar to other businesses, to get through the short term.
“Then we’ll turn the lights on and get back to business.”
The Titans run a much leaner operation compared to southeast Queensland rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, who last week made about 20 employees redundant.
The Gold Coast club has previously struggled financially and was taken over by the NRL in 2015 after essentially crumbling under debt.
The club has continued to operate on a shoestring budget compared to some of the NRL heavyweights since being taken over by new owners.
A lack of success has raised concerns about the Gold Coast’s long-term viability, but club powerbrokers and the NRL are determined to make sure the Titans survive in the region.
New coach Justin Holbrook has endured a unique start to his NRL coaching career, overseeing two games before the competition was suspended.
But he is hoping he can get the Titans’ 2020 campaign back on track with a full complement of staff if the season recommences in the coming months.
“The club hasn’t had to rush a decision,” Holbrook said.
“A lot of clubs have had their hands forced given they rely on big leagues clubs (for funding).
“We’re in a different situation so the club has had time to work out what happens.
“It’s great they haven’t rushed into any decision.”
Originally published as Gold Coast Titans one of just two NRL clubs yet to wield staff axe in wake of coronavirus epidemic