Five things the NRL’s decision to sell the Titans to Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly means for Gold Coast

A CONSORTIUM led by Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly has won the ownership race for the Gold Coast Titans. This is what it means for the Coast’s NRL team going forward.

WITH reports emerging this morning of Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly’s consortium finally winning the ownership race for the Titans, the Bulletin looks at what it means for NRL on the Gold Coast.

LONG LIVE THE TITANS

There had been plenty of conjecture about whether the Gold Coast would be set for a sixth guise as a professional rugby league club when it became apparent the North Sydney Bears and Brisbane Bombers were among the bidders.

LOCAL PAIR WIN BATTLE FOR THE TITANS

Norths in particular had been vocal about rebranding the club to capture the attention of long-awaiting Bears fans.

However, Frizelle and Kelly’s appointment means the Titans’ name and colours are safe.

Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly will ensure the Titans brand lives on. Picture: Luke Marsden.

STABILITY

It’s a word rarely associated with rugby league on the Gold Coast in the past three decades. Until now.

Frizelle and Kelly have played central roles in the club in recent years through thick and thin.

Under their leadership, the club will not have to start completely afresh at a time when they have new coaches and players on-board.

DIRECTION

The Titans had been in a holding pattern for months as they awaited an announcement about who the NRL would sell their licence to.

Now key decisions can start being made, such as staff structures including replacing departed chief operating officer Tony Mestrov.

NRL CONFIDENT OF SETTLING TITANS OWNERSHIP

Former Titans COO Tony Mestrov at Bundall. Picture: Richard Gosling

With Frizelle and Kelly at the helm, a direction can also be declared with regards to areas such as potential involvement in the upcoming women’s NRL competition.

SHOESTRING BUDGET

Gold Coast have been operating on one of the tightest budgets in the NRL and that is unlikely to change.

While the Frizelle/Kelly consortium will bring financial stability, they will not be able to bring the kind of war chest that opposition bidder Stuart McAuliffe could have.

McAuliffe had offered a $25 million proposition to bankroll the club.

FORMAL DISCUSSIONS BEGIN ON SALE OF TITANS

Stuart McAuliffe.

WHITE KNIGHT WANTS TO BUY BACK THE TITANS

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Whispers continue that Frizelle and Kelly are open to the idea of a membership buy-in down the track.

Some fans have voiced their interest in such a concept.

Watch this space.