North Sydney Bears officials have commissioned independent research that suggests the club still have 500,000 supporters in Queensland and NSW, figures they believe strengthen their consortium’s case to buy the Gold Coast licence.
The Bears are backing a consortium of wealthy businessmen with North Sydney connections (among them are private equiteer Peter Wiggs and Gold Coast businessman Harry Cheung), having granted the group the right to use the colours and moniker of the foundation club.
They face a significant challenge to convince the NRL of the merits of their bid, given the governing body’s reluctance to tinker again with the club’s colours and logo, let alone their desire to ensure the Gold Coast retain their local feel.
However, the Bears refuse to give up hope and are leaving nothing to chance, commissioning independent research through Nielsen to show how the Bears brand still resonates with the rugby league public.
It is understood they sent a mini-prospectus to potential parties when they were piecing together a consortium.
That prospectus contained independent research that demonstrated the ongoing support for the Bears, who played their final game in the premiership nearly 20 years ago.
More than 200,000 of the fans who still supported the Bears were at the top in terms of avidity — meaning they were more likely to watch on television or attend games. It is understood the research indicates they are eight times more likely to attend a game than a Gold Coast Titans supporter.
The NRL is yet to put the Titans on the market, although it is expected to do so later this month. It is waiting until it has finalised the future of the Newcastle Knights, who are expected to be bought by the Newcastle-based Wests Group in coming weeks.
Wests Group members are currently voting on the takeover of the Knights licence and it is understood they were 93 per cent in favour of the bid heading into the weekend.
Once the Knights have been finalised, the Titans will hit the market with several consortiums circling. The Bears are among them, along with former owner Darryl Kelly, who has put together a consortium of his own that is expected to include Titans chairwoman Rebecca Frizelle.
At least one and possibly two other consortiums are also in the mix.
The Bears refuse to give up hope as they look to awaken a fan base that has been in hibernation for nearly two decades. The uncertainty surrounding the Titans’ ownership comes as they reel from two of their worst performances of the season, their latest a thrashing at the hands of neighbours Brisbane.
The Titans finished that game with star halfback Ashley Taylor on the sidelines with a knee injury. Taylor left the ground in a brace and will undergo scans. At the very least, he is expected to miss their game against St George Illawarra this weekend.
Taylor’s future may yet hinge on the outcome of the battle for the Gold Coast licence. The Titans No 7 is off contract at the end of next season and while Brisbane have already expressed their interest in luring him home, other clubs are keeping a close eye on proceedings.
The consortium that eventually wins the Titans licence is likely to make Taylor’s retention a priority, given he is the sort of player the Gold Coast can build their club around.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the local derby against the Broncos yesterday resulted in two Brisbane players, Joe Ofahengaue and James Roberts, being charged.
Ofahengaue was fortunate to stay on the field after a spear tackle on Titans forward Max King for which the Ofahengaue was charged with a grade three dangerous throw, meaning he could miss as many as five games if he fights the charge and loses at the judiciary.
Roberts was hit with a $1500 fine after being charged with contrary conduct for a punch on Gold Coast captain Ryan James.
Roberts avoided a sin-binning for the offence but the Broncos centre has been hit in the hip pocket for his moment of ill-discipline.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...s/news-story/253b29cd145ef5dda162f220ac245992
