The little-known billionaire steering the car sector and the Roosters

Nick Politis has built the biggest car dealership in Australia and is one of the uber powerbrokers in rugby league, such that some people call him the Godfather. He’s an 80-year-old billionaire who knows everyone in Sydney – yet his name is virtually unknown to the wider Australian public, unlike contemporaries such as Frank Lowy, Gerry Harvey, Rupert Murdoch and Harry Triguboff.

In this week’s episode of Good Weekend Talks, deputy editor Greg Callaghan chats with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age senior writer Anne Hyland, who was granted rare access to profile Politis, and the Herald’s chief sports writer Andrew Webster, who has dealt with Politis for decades in his role covering rugby league.

“Nick’s very, very ruthless and very, very shrewd,” says Webster. “As anyone who’s ever had anything to do with Nick Politis knows, he thinks three moves ahead.

“He goes beyond what a normal chairman could do," adds Webster. "He is almost like the owner of the club in many respects. I couldn’t even guess how many dollars of his own money he’s tipped into the club over the years. He’s got absolute skin in his club and wants to see it succeed.”

Politis may be moving into that phase of his life where he secures his legacy, but Hyland – whose profile piece (“In the driver’s seat”) delves into his beginnings in Greece, the hardscrabble building of a business empire, and why he prizes loyalty above all else – notes that he’s not yet slowing down.

“For a person who’s 80, he’s very fit, very mentally sharp, and goes into the office every day,” Hyland says. “He’s very passionate about his business and the Roosters. And he did say to me that he’s observed ... that when you step back and retire, that death follows soon after.”

Good Weekend Talks offers readers the chance to delve even deeper each week into Good Weekend’s most intriguing stories, with lively insight from writers, editors and experts. Listen to more episodes by subscribing to Good Weekend Talks wherever you get your podcasts.

For the full feature story, see Saturday’s Good Weekend, or visit The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.

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