LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Tigers Identify Club Legend as Next Chairman
The Wests Tigers are in the midst of a critical leadership search, aiming to appoint a new chairman during a tumultuous period in the club's 25-year history. This formal process comes in response to rising internal instability and increasing frustration from the fan base.
The situation escalated last week with the surprising ousting of chairman Barry O'Farrell, a former NSW Premier, along with three independent directors by the Holman Barnes Group. As a result, the joint-venture is now tasked with filling two key positions: chairman and chief executive.
According to the Daily Telegraph, three candidates have emerged for the chairman position: Ben Elias, Leo Epifania, and Dennis Burgess.
Burgess, who serves as the chairman of the Wests Magpies and Holman Barnes Group, may encounter challenges due to recent controversies linked to his Instagram account, which reportedly followed numerous sexually explicit pages.
Epifania, a former player for the Tigers currently on the board, remains a contender but has faced scrutiny regarding his suitability for the role.
Elias, a former NSW and Kangaroos hooker with significant connections in both the club and government, is seen as the leading candidate. Expressing his enthusiasm, he shared with the Daily Telegraph, "It would be an honour and privilege to be chair of such a great club."