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Knights could lose $1m
By Dean Ritchie
June 24, 2004
ANDREW JOHNS could cost the Newcastle Knights up to $1 million by walking away from the club and rugby league.
Johns is expected to make a decision in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Informed sources say Johns would live on Sydney's northern beaches near brother Matthew.
That would give him only a short journey to Narrabeen, where the Waratahs train.
Johns' car was damaged by vandals last Friday in Newcastle, a drama which only questioned his future in the city.
Newcastle officials yesterday denied the club had placed a deadline on Johns.
One source said such a move might actually push him to rugby union.
The Knights will face financial concerns should Johns quit.
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway would not speculate on how much money Johns' departure would cost the club.
But rivals chief executives yesterday told The Daily Telegraph Newcastle could lose up to $1million if Johns walked away.
One CEO believes Newcastle's crowd figures could decrease by as much as 2000 people each home game through Johns' absence. That alone could cost the club about $480,000.
Merchandising could drop by about $20,000 but chief executives fear Newcastle's sponsorship could dip by 15per cent, or $450,000.
There can be no cost put on the amount of exposure Johns gives the Knights. In total, the Knights could lose $950,000 a year without Johns.
"If he walks away, it would really hurt Newcastle in the hip pocket," the unnamed chief executive said.
In another development yesterday, Parramatta are rumoured to be chasing Newcastle halfback Kurt Gidley.
Gidley's new deal is clouded because it was agreed to under the provision Johns would be at the Knights.
It is understood Gidley has not officially signed the Knights contract but yesterday he admitted he wanted to stay with Newcastle.
NRL chief executive David Gallop spoke yesterday about the pressure Johns lived under in Newcastle.
"There are those pressures, I think we all accept that," Gallop said. "There are pressures on him and I don't downplay that in any way at all."
Print this report
Subscribe to Sportsmail
Knights could lose $1m
By Dean Ritchie
June 24, 2004
ANDREW JOHNS could cost the Newcastle Knights up to $1 million by walking away from the club and rugby league.
Johns is expected to make a decision in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Informed sources say Johns would live on Sydney's northern beaches near brother Matthew.
That would give him only a short journey to Narrabeen, where the Waratahs train.
Johns' car was damaged by vandals last Friday in Newcastle, a drama which only questioned his future in the city.
Newcastle officials yesterday denied the club had placed a deadline on Johns.
One source said such a move might actually push him to rugby union.
The Knights will face financial concerns should Johns quit.
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway would not speculate on how much money Johns' departure would cost the club.
But rivals chief executives yesterday told The Daily Telegraph Newcastle could lose up to $1million if Johns walked away.
One CEO believes Newcastle's crowd figures could decrease by as much as 2000 people each home game through Johns' absence. That alone could cost the club about $480,000.
Merchandising could drop by about $20,000 but chief executives fear Newcastle's sponsorship could dip by 15per cent, or $450,000.
There can be no cost put on the amount of exposure Johns gives the Knights. In total, the Knights could lose $950,000 a year without Johns.
"If he walks away, it would really hurt Newcastle in the hip pocket," the unnamed chief executive said.
In another development yesterday, Parramatta are rumoured to be chasing Newcastle halfback Kurt Gidley.
Gidley's new deal is clouded because it was agreed to under the provision Johns would be at the Knights.
It is understood Gidley has not officially signed the Knights contract but yesterday he admitted he wanted to stay with Newcastle.
NRL chief executive David Gallop spoke yesterday about the pressure Johns lived under in Newcastle.
"There are those pressures, I think we all accept that," Gallop said. "There are pressures on him and I don't downplay that in any way at all."
