Gold Coast Titans threaten to leave Cbus Super Stadium as Stadiums Queensland stoush worsens

THE Titans have threatened to abandon Cbus Super Stadium as the war between footy clubs and the government over price-gouging looks set to spark widespread bloodletting at Stadiums Queensland.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA — DECEMBER 09: General view after the round 10 A-League match between the Brisbane Roar and the Wellington Phoenix at Cbus Super Stadium on December 9, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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THE Titans have sensationally threatened to abandon Cbus Super Stadium as the war between the state’s footy clubs and the Government over price-gouging looks set to spark widespread bloodletting at Stadiums Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has vowed heads will roll on the Stadiums Queensland board after a special investigation by The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail revealed our elite footy codes were being taxed to the point of bankruptcy.

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It can be revealed the Government has already held clandestine meetings with senior business and sporting figures canvassing their interest in joining SQ.

Could the Titans abandon their home?

The Premier’s declaration was met by a chorus of support from NRL and AFL clubs and the QRU, who had been planning a joint submission to the Government demanding reform.

The spat between the Titans, Stadiums Queensland and sports minister Mick de Brenni turned ugly after SQ issued a provocative statement at the weekend suggesting the club had sought Government subsidies to stay afloat.

The Courier-Mail has learnt that in a tense round of high-level negotiations, the Titans issued the explosive threat to sell home games to other venues both within Queensland and interstate, leaving Cbus Super Stadium as a $160 million white elephant.

The Titans’ temporary rental agreement at Cbus expires after their next home game against the Sharks on April 28.

The recent matches in Toowoomba and Gladstone have opened the club’s eyes.

Titans officials got a taste of life away from the yoke of Stadiums Queensland when they went on the road to Toowoomba and Gladstone recently and were thrilled with the operational ease and commercial success of hosting those matches.

Sunshine Coast Stadium and Coffs Harbour are two other regional venues understood to be on the Titans’ radar.

It is understood powerful Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle entered the stoush on Monday, and by the close of business an uneasy truce had been struck with shell-shocked de Brenni.

But de Brenni remains under immense pressure to implement change after the Premier made clear her disapproval of the greedy operating Stadiums Queensland policy.

“We’re going to be having a really good look at that issue,’’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’ve been discussing that with Mick de Brenni and Kate Jones ... there will be a shake-up of the (SQ) board, that’s step No.1.

Could Cbus Super Stadium be without a tenant?

“And step No. 2, we will be doing a thorough review, because what we have seen is that the Queensland public want to come out and support our sports in this state.’’

Titans CEO Graham Annesley said his club welcomed the Premier’s position after a three-year stalemate in negotiations to secure a sustainable hiring arrangement with Stadiums Queensland that would at least compare to that of rivals in other states.

“Of course, we desperately want to play most of our future games at Cbus in front of our own members and supporters,” Annesley said.

“We remain ready to discuss a long-term deal with the Government that takes into consideration the specific issues associated with Cbus Stadium as a regional venue with significant transport and access difficulties.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Titans threaten to leave Cbus Super Stadium as Stadiums Queensland stoush worsens