English tycoon eyes NRL team

17 July 2014 02:31

Wealthy English racehorse owner Marwan Koukash is in talks to take ownership of an Australian National Rugby League club amid speculation it is the Newcastle Knights, reports said Thursday.

Koukash, who owns English Super League side Salford, has confirmed he is in talks with an NRL club, but will not reveal which team.

"All I have been saying is I am interested and have started talking to an NRL team," Koukash told The Australian newspaper.

"It's still in the early stages and it's not fair to give any further details. It's a competition that I love but that can't come at the expense of my current team.

"I am still very committed and I will always be very committed to the Salford Red Devils. I have become addicted to rugby league and (the NRL) is a great competition to be involved in.

"One thing is for sure, I am very, very interested in being involved in the NRL as a 100 percent owner or a part-owner."

While Koukash declined to reveal the team he was circling, his interest was met with a lukewarm response from the Knights and the NRL.

John Quayle, brought in by the NRL to rebuild the Knights after Australian coal tycoon Nathan Tinkler announced in May he was ending his three-year ownership of the club, said he believed the NRL would be wary given recent experiences.

"The NRL would not only be gun-shy because of what's happened but they're trying to create a modern-day sporting model with independent directors and a proper corporate governance," he told the newspaper.

"They've indicated to me they're not interested in handing the club over to someone for another toy."

Source: AFP