New blood
Maori tribe part owners of Auckland Warriors
Posted: Wednesday October 07, 1998 11:34 AM
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Reuters) -- A New Zealand syndicate backed by the Maori Tainui tribe are the new owners of the Auckland Warriors rugby league side after the city's league clubs agreed to the sale late Tuesday.
The syndicate is made up of the Tainui tribe's trust board, former Manly and New Zealand national rugby league coach Graham Lowe, Auckland public relations consultant Malcolm Boyle and casino operator Sky City Ltd.
The Auckland Rugby League (ARL) recommended in May that its 35 member clubs sell their entire stake in the under-performing Auckland Warriors, which is the only New Zealand side playing in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL).
"The Boyle-Lowe syndicate will supply new energy, new enthusiasm, new blood and last, but not least, an injection of finance," ARL chairman Selwyn Pearson said.
Financial details of the deal have not been made public but national media quoted a likely figure of NZ$4 million (US$2 million) for the purchase, which brings with it the confirmation of Auckland's Ericsson Stadium as the team's home base.
The Warriors' sponsorship deal with drinks group DB Groups Limited is unchanged.
The ARL last year turned down an offer of NZ$7 million (US$3.47 million) for the club, which was launched amid great fanfare in 1995 to take part in the NRL competition.
Despite some promising early games, the Warriors have failed to live up to expectations and crowd attendance has dwindled as a result.
(US$-NZ$2.00)
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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