https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.a...e/news-story/90527003683415c1d1de7a35b2df8700
Roosters boss Nick Politis now worth $1.35 billion — so why isn’t he running the game?
Phil Rothfield, Sports editor-at-large, The Sunday Telegraph
May 26, 2018 9:00pm
THIS is rugby league’s $1.35 billion man who is rarely even consulted by the NRL administration.
Roosters supremo Nick Politis increased his personal wealth an incredible 74.6 per cent from $773 million last year via a thriving motor dealership empire and commercial property investments.
The 76-year-old even owns shares in Brisbane Broncos, which he purchased more than 20 years ago to help out the former owners who needed an urgent cash injection.
His status as one of Australia’s most successful businessmen was highlighted in last week’s Australian Financial Review Rich List.
There are many in the game who’d like the Roosters chairman to take on a bigger role in the overall administration of the NRL.
“I wish he was chairman of the commission,” said long-time mate Phil Gould. “I can guarantee you the game would have plenty of assets on the balance sheet if Nick was running the show. From a football perspective, modern-day management would be well advised to speak less, and listen more, to people like Nick Politis. His outstanding success in business makes him one of the truly great achievers in Australia.”
Politis was an ARL rep on the NRL’s executive board before the game was handed over to the independent commission in 2012.
It has since been so poorly managed the commission had to apply for a $30 million bank loan last year, which was unsuccessful.
Gould has no doubts the game would benefit if they bothered to listen to him.
“Next to my father, the greatest man I have ever met,” Gould said.
“The lessons I have learned from Nick have been life-changing. His passion for the game of rugby league is without question.
“Many people in the game today owe their success to Nick and the support he has given them.
“It’s the mark of a great man, who does so much for people, who could never do anything for Nick in return.”
