Nathan Tinkler's chequered history in Australian sport

BIG spending mining magnate Nathan Tinkler's four years in Australian racing and sport have been almost as eventful as his career in coal.

BIG spending mining magnate turned sporting club owner Nathan Tinkler's four years in Australian racing and sport have been almost as eventful as his career in coal.

Here are the sporting peaks and troughs in the burly businessman's remarkable rise:

Tinkler latest: Magnate fails to pay Knights players

2008 - Announces himself to racing world by buying 59 horses worth a staggering $19 million at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

SEPTEMBER 2010 - Buys Newcastle Jets soccer team and extends ownership until 2020.

MARCH 2011 - Takes ownership of Newcastle Knights NRL team and signs supercoach Wayne Bennett to a four-year deal.

OCTOBER 2011 - Supports decision to sack Jets coach Branko Culina and his player son Jason after Jason was recruited despite a debilitating knee injury.

NOVEMBER 2011 - Settles legal dispute with his former horse trainer, Anthony Cummings, for a figure believed to be more than $1 million.

APRIL 2012 - Threatens to hand back Newcastle Jets A-League licence after learning Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer bought his for next to nothing. Eventually agrees to continue ownership of team.

AUGUST 2012 - Scales down $500,000-a-week racing operation. Reports allege Tinkler is unsuccessful in attempting to sell his breeding and racing empire to Qatari royal and Dunaden owner Sheikh Fahad al-Thani for $200 million.

OCTOBER 2012 - Concerned Newcastle Knights players contact agents after there is no sign of their monthly player payments.