NRL to sell the Gold Coast Titans and are looking for local buyers
THE Gold Coast Titans are up for sale - but the ownership is like the Snapper Rocks surfbreak, only locals are invited.
Titans
Don't miss out on the headlines from Titans. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Gold Coast Titans ownership is like the Snapper Rocks surfbreak, only locals are invited.
Todd Greenberg told The Courier-Mail the NRL wanted to sell the club to Gold Coast-based businessmen as a sale of the Titans in the next 12 months.
The NRL has owned the club for more than a year now and major improvements to its governance have occurred.
However, for the club to truly thrive it needs to be independent and the NRL wants a community owned model.
The Titans have been competitive this season in most games but are now well outside the top eight and their finals ambitions could be killed in the next month.
Greenberg said ownership discussions were happening right now but the NRL would rather not have out of towners.
That rules out the likes of central Queensland construction magnate Geoff Murphy who had put his hand up to buy into the club.
“Clearly, local people owning, supporting and engaging with that club is incredibly important,” Greenberg said.
“A community based asset is clearly the model but we have to let that unfold.
“We are not forcing our hand with this. We want to be very judicious. We will give it the time and energy it needs. They have made massive improvement.
“People like Rebecca Frizelle and her board and Graham Annesley are doing a great job at looking at the long term play for the Titans, which has always been in our interest.
“There are discussions but they are being done through Rebecca.”
The NRL own or part own three other NRL clubs, Newcastle, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra. A sale of Newcastle and St George Illawarra appears likely this season but the Titans will have to wait with a buy out likely next season.
“No, not this particular year,” Greenberg said.
“The community owning their team is the right result and I’m happy if it takes a little bit longer to get that result.”
Freedom from NRL ownership could help the club recruit and retain players.
The Titans have to deal with heavy restrictions and paperwork required for them to even engage a prospective player. Often by the time they have filed the required paperwork, that player has been snapped up by a rival club.
Greenberg also reaffirmed the NRL was genuinely interested in hosting a grand final at Suncorp Stadium.
“When you are rebuilding an asset worth hundreds of millions of dollars it takes years,” Greenberg said.
“While we do that we aren’t keen to play in a construction zone.
“Given the NSW Government have just spent $1.6 billion there is a strong relationship there and we will have the first discussions with them. In short, we will be looking at all options and Queensland is one of those options.”
Originally published as NRL to sell the Gold Coast Titans and are looking for local buyers
Cobbo in danger of Broncos exit, Gosiewski makes NRL return
Ex-Maroons flyer Selwyn Cobbo will spend a third-straight week in reserve grade and is fighting for his future at the Broncos as Michael Maguire names a relatively unchanged line-up for a crucial clash against the Sharks.
Qld U19 State of Origin: Players to watch, who’s signed to your NRL club?
Queensland under-19s Origin coaches Darius Boyd and Maia Tua-Davidson have revealed what excites them the most about their side’s 2025 chances as well as broken down their key players match tactics. Discover the state’s emerging stars here.