Tigers to sue NRL, maybe

[OVP]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15431038-23214,00.html

'Betrayed' Tigers may sue
By James Hooper
May 28, 2005

WESTS Tigers are considering launching legal action against the NRL after the Gold Coast was yesterday granted permission to become rugby league's 16th team in 2007.

Forced into an unwanted joint venture in season 2000, Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce last night revealed he was contemplating sending the NRL back to the courts after the latest "betrayal".

The move comes as Gold Coast officials were drawing up a hit-list of marquee stars off-contract to approach about joining the club in its inaugural season.

"Good luck to the Gold Coast but I guess from the Wests Tigers point of view there would be plenty of Balmain and Wests fans feeling betrayed that they are no longer in the competition," Noyce said.

"They live with the fact that Souths were allowed back through the legal system but I'm sure they feel betrayed today that the NRL have further expanded the competition when they were told it wouldn't happen.

"If you do nothing then you're not doing the right thing by all those people who gave up 90-odd years of history so I've got to do something.

"You can't just say 'oh well, it's just a team', I don't think it works that way.

"No one's ever taken it to the next step because it's never happened.

"We've tried to make this club as great as we can but I'd be lying if I said you didn't feel some betrayal on a day like this."

 

[Phillips]

go cry me a river, Wests Tigers

 

[LeagueNut]

"Good luck to the Gold Coast but I guess from the Wests Tigers point of view there would be plenty of Balmain and Wests fans feeling betrayed that they are no longer in the competition," Noyce said.

I would have thought that the fans have had long enough to come to terms with the merger by now. Is there really still that much feeling there?
I reckon they have a right to "express their disappointment" with the decision, but forcing the game through more legal action can't be a good idea for anyone.

 

[madunit]

the venture hasn't really been all that successful I believe, in the behind the scenes department anyway.

however, if they seperated and went back to being balmain and wests, both teams would be strugglers for a while.

its a kick in the guts considering how 3 teams that were merged/booted from the comp have all come back as their own entity once again, while the tigers and magpies try and make the best of their situation.

 

[LeagueNut]

Is it fair to say that if the Wests Tigers were a consistent Top 4 team that they wouldn't give two hoots when any new team is admitted?

 

[The Tank]

when our rivals aren't hurting rugby league - rugby league hurts it self. Well done Tigers, rugby league back to court - great idea!

 

[Eelectrica]

So am I to understand that the West Tigers want a 15 team comp forever?
Do they believe in say the year 3563 that it should still be the same 15 teams that are in now?

 

[innsaneink]

Some of you just try putting yourselves in anothers situation, say a Wests or Balmain fan thats supported his team for 20, 30, 50 even 70 years....yes thats right there were supporters that were lost by the forced merger that had followed their team for over half a century. 50 plus years of support, only to have their teams lied to and then stabbed in the back.

when our rivals aren't hurting rugby league - rugby league hurts it self. Well done Tigers, rugby league back to court - great idea!

....you dont think losing those fans FOREVER didnt hurt RL?...Idiot!

Naaah, its OK....stuff those loyal fans, we'll replace em with some new ones.

 

[innsaneink]

Court proceedings wont go ahead imo.

This is just a statement to make WT's feelings known, to officially announce the clubs displeasure at this move, to show ex Balmain/Wests, now WT's fans that the club doesnt forget.

All talk imo.

 

[Moffo]

wests couldn't stand by themselves and balmain had no great long term future

Build a bridge boys, they had to merge

 

[Eelectrica]

Perhaps the NRL should remind the Tigers that their NRL license WILL expire and a team on the Central Coast would very much like to play a part in the NRL.

 

[t-ba]

Perhaps the NRL should remind the Tigers that their NRL license WILL expire and a team on the Central Coast would very much like to play a part in the NRL.

Though the Wiggers are indeed bleating and moaning, do we really need to take tips from the Arko-Quayle "how to win friends and influence people" school of executive management?

A succesful WT would be a dominant force in the Sydney landscape imo. If they can average 15,000 with a team that has never made the finals, how would they go with a top 4 outfit? I'm not sure Wests at Campbo or Balmain at Leichardt would ever be able to manage that kind of feat.

 

[Stagger eel]

gee!!...and after all that, they were still happy to pocket 12 million!!....it's not our fault they blew it all on basket cases who were at the end of their careers.

 

[Eelectrica]

Though the Wiggers are indeed bleating and moaning, do we really need to take tips from the Arko-Quayle "how to win friends and influence people" school of executive management?

I'm just suggesting the West Tigers THINK before they act as their actions may lead to some consequences they don't want.

 

[Purtell The Turtle]

They could always argue against that criteria that forced them to merge, but then the NRL could disband the comp, and set up a new comp where they can invite the nice clubs and leave those with issues out.

But I think innsaneink is right, it's all talk. They would have to have the money to go to court, and be sure of victory because losing would see the new club die financially.

 

[Once Dead]

Fact: We merged under the premise that there would only be 15 teams

Fact: In 2007 there will be 16 teams

Fact: 3/4 of the people in this thread were not affected by the merger situation and do not understand the situation at all

Fact: Compensation and/or reinstatement (in the extreme case) are realistic options

 

[Balmain_Boy]

LIke ink said, I think it's just Noyce saying we're not very happy with the situation. Nothing more will come of it.

 

[Cheesie-the-Pirate]

Well... I'm affected by a merger.

And you know what? I fully applaud Gold Coast's entry.

Unless we want to remain effectivley the NSWRL forever we should be expanding outside of this state. It is sad to see Illawarra Steelers, St. George Dragons, North Sydney Bears, Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers go. It really is. Lord knows I'd love to be able to support the "St. George Dragons".

But this is 2005. Not 1998.

Reinstatement is not a realistic option. The Sydney sports market is already saturated as it is.

But I love my St. George Illawarra Dragons just as much. That's my team as they say.

But I love Rugby League too. And for the future of our great game we need to consolidate at home and expand into other areas. Are we so selfish that we must have 10 teams in Sydney at the expense of other areas? Magpies and Balmain fans still have a team to support. As do Steelers and Saints fans.

The Gold Coast didn't. And now they do. I say congratulations to them.

 

[knights04]

All merged sides should have took the NRL to court once Souths were re-instated. It's still never too late now that GC have been re-admitted. :x

 

[Lego_Man]

Balmain and the Magpies would not survive on their own.

Balmain may have a chance, but the Magpies would have to relocate to the CC.