Richardson quits Tigers top job, Mestrov frontrunner to replace him
3 months ago - Sportingbase
Shane Richardson has quit as Wests Tigers chief executive, citing an inability to continue working with the club’s owners, Holman Barnes Group. The outgoing NRL boss told the 90% ownership group in writing today.
Richardson was less than 18 months into a four-year project to turn around the ever-struggling rugby league club. He had only just come on board last July, but decided his position was untenable after owners HBG pushed for the removal of four independent directors from the Tigers board last week. The issue was reportedly over jersey colours.
Win $500 Cash In Our Free Giveaway Here
[optin-monster-inline slug=”lwl9wnqlgyiwtkbvwjkz”]
From HBG’s side, there have apparently been frustrations with how Richardson and the Tigers board had been approaching the overhaul; the ownership group has suggested they’d been left out of key internal decisions.
No matter how the split happened, it’s led to Richardson departing — and he’s in line to get a pretty penny for it. The now-ex-chief’s contract was through to July 2028 and was worth around $750,000 a year. The SMH has reported his deal “contained termination clauses that protect a lucrative payout if there are board changes regarding the independent directors.”
Wests Tigers’ general manager of football, Shaun Mielekamp, will take Richardson’s place in the interim.
Are you reading on our app? Download now for the best Sporting Base experience.
[adrotate group=”2″]
Win $500 Cash In Our Free Giveaway Here
Beyond Mielekamp’s interim tenure, reports have suggested Manly’s Tony Mestrov is expected to replace Shane Richardson as the club’s new chief executive. Mestrov ruled at Manly for the last three years, with many in the NRL world suggesting the Sea Eagles went backwards as a powerhouse under his regime despite boasting several high-profile stars.
More NRL news
Clauses for chaos: Tigers civil war brings Luai question back to surface
In jeopardy: Bula had been ready to re-sign before Tigers turmoil
Mestrov’s first role will be to end the civil war between Wests and Balmain in the joint venture; whether that’s actually possible remains to be seen, though Mestrov has always been renowned as a ‘no-nonsense’ governor.
The Tigers have yet to make any formal statements regarding any leadership change.
(Update: The club has now made the exit official.)
CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Want To Receive Our NRL News Each Week?
We can email you our NRL Content as it comes in each week
Fill in the form & you will stop seeing this each time you view our insights & tips
