Wests Tigers fail in bid to lure $400m car baron Neville Crichton
Wests Tigers wanted to upgrade from Ivan Cleary’s bus to a Maserati mogul, but a New Zealand car tycoon worth $400 million has turned down an approach to help the club.
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The Wests Tigers’ bid to land their own Nick Politis has failed after a multi-millionaire Maserati mogul put the brakes on a potential partnership.
New Zealand businessman Neville Crichton, a New Zealand car tycoon worth $400 million, was approached about helping the Tigers deal with their financial concerns and guide the club to rugby league’s promised land.
The Daily Telegraph had reveal the Tigers have been working for the past three months to convince Crichton to join the club as a key sponsor and business associate.
Crichton, 74, who is close friends with Balmain legend Ben Elias, said he had decided not to take up the Tigers’ offer.
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“We were approached a number of weeks ago by a representative of Wests Tigers regarding an opportunity,” Crichton told The Daily Telegraph.
“We looked at the opportunity and decided not to pursue it — a decision we then communicated to the club.
Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe confirmed the club was interest in luring former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s next-door neighbour at Point Piper to Concord.
A passionate All Blacks rugby union fan, Crichton enjoys a strong friendship with Politis, who also made his $1.5 billion wealth through cars.
“Neville could be Wests Tigers’ new Nick Politis,” Elias said. “I’m trying to woo him from the All Blacks to Wests Tigers.”
A meeting between Pascoe, Elias and Crichton was postponed last week and rescheduled for the first week of November.
Rich lists value Crichton’s worth at $400 million, although other business analysts estimate his wealth could be close to $2 billion.
In Australia, Crichton distributes Maserati while remodelling Ram Trucks into right-hand drive for sale in New Zealand and Australia.
“For clarity, their approach did not concern our Maserati brand,” Crichton said.
“I wish the club all the best in their future sporting and sponsorship endeavours.”
Wests Tigers already boast a high-profile network of businessmen and supporters including Lee Hagipantelis, principal of Brydens Lawyers, billionaire real estate developer Harry Triguboff, former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell — who is club chairman — and John Coates, well-known lawyer and administrator.
Crichton has run and developed major automotive and property companies while also being a world-class yachtsman who skippered a Sydney to Hobart win and a motor racing driver who competed at Bathurst in 1986.
His amazing wealth came through founding the Ateco Group, which over the years has imported highbrow car brands including Audi, Volkswagen, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Ferrari and Maserati.
Pascoe said the Tigers were attempting “to sit down and lure a very passionate rugby man across to a rival code.
“Benny and I have been working on this for a couple of months now. We are always interested in high network, but more importantly, influential and passionate people.
“Neville has obviously been very successful in everything he has done and does. Certainly, having someone of his stature and accomplishment associated with our club would give us a lot more power.
“It’s not just financial. Neville has an exceptional record of success and success breeds success. We are always interested in seeking counsel and advice from people that have been successful.
“If we can get learnings from them or get into their network, that’s just as important — sometimes more important — than any financial contribution. Neville would add to what already is a pretty influential network at the club. We value them.”
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Elias added: “We are trying to broker a deal with the great Neville Crichton. We may have another car baron in rugby league. He is a rugby union fanatic but we want to woo him to rugby league. He and I have been friends forever. Justin and I have been working overtime to make this happen.”
Crichton used Tigers legend Steve Roach to advertise his company during the mid-1980s.
“I’d be over-the-moon if he helped Wests Tigers. It’s about time the club started using Benny’s contacts. Who Benny doesn’t know, isn’t worth knowing,” Roach said.
In 2012, Crichton was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to yachting and business.
Originally published as Wests Tigers fail in bid to lure $400m car baron Neville Crichton