Hunter Sports Group to retain A-League licence

Negotiations between Hunter Sports Group (HSG) owner Nathan Tinkler and Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Frank Lowy have resulted in HSG reversing its decision to hand back its licence for A-League club Newcastle Jets.

Mining magnate Nathan Tinkler announced that he would hand back the Jets licence on 10th April, but has agreed to retain the licence following concern in the NSW Hunter region and threats of legal action from the FFA.

Tinkler and HSG had been upset at the $5 million it paid for the Jets's licence acquisition fee, understood to be the highest licence fee in the A-League's history. However, it appears Lowy and the FFA may have made "concessions" over the fee.

In a statement issued by the FFA, Lowy explained "it was a good opportunity for Nathan and I to meet face-to-face and resolve the issues that had affected the relationship between FFA and HSG.

"FFA has made some concessions in good faith in order to resolve the matters."

Despite the fractious relationship between the FFA and wealthy club owners Tinkler and Clive Palmer of the former Gold Coast United, Lowy said he had renewed confidence that Tinkler and HSG would do the right thing by the people of Newcastle.

Lowy added "when Nathan first took on the Newcastle Jets, I welcomed his commitment to running a strong and successful A-League club in Newcastle on behalf of the community of the Hunter region.

"Today, my confidence is renewed over Nathan's personal drive to make the Jets and the Hyundai A-League successful.

"We agreed on a way forward that addresses the issues HSG have raised and we are now going to get on with developing the game together in a key region for football.

"With more than 10,000 Jets members and an average crowd this season over 12,000 HSG has demonstrated its ability to engage with the community and to run a successful team and club."

Tinkler was quoted by the FFA as saying he had put aside his differences with the FFA for the sake of the A-League and the Newcastle community.

Tinkler stated "Frank Lowy flew to Brisbane to meet with me face-to-face and I took that as a sign of goodwill ... it was a gesture I certainly appreciated.

"I welcomed the opportunity to meet and discuss these issues in person. We now have a way forward and I remain committed to ensuring the Newcastle Jets are one of the most successful clubs in the Hyundai A-League.

"I am delighted to be able to support the Newcastle Jets on behalf of football fans in the Hunter region and to continue to build a strong relationship with the community.

"When I first made this commitment I did it on behalf of the community and I am committed to further developing football and sport in a community I grew up in and am proud of."

The HSG/FFA announcement coincided with the first meeting of the FFA's new Joint A-League Strategic Committee (JALSC).

Hailed by the FFA as "marking a new era of collaboration between clubs and the governing body", the meeting addressed a range of key issues and recommendations relating to the strategic direction and operation of the Hyundai A-League.

Topics addressed included incentives for finals series participation, revamping the finals series format, next season's 10-team competition structure incorporating the new Sydney Club representing western Sydney, community engagement and various membership, sponsorship and other growth initiatives.

Remarkably, Clive Palmer's contribution to the A-League was acknowledged by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage.

Emerging from the JALSC meeting, Sage, another FFA critic thanked Palmer but went onto praise the FFA for addressing 10 "critical" owner issues at the meeting.

Sage stated "I understand why Clive lost his licence but he put $18 million into the game and I respect him for that and his opinion.

"He did precipitate a lot of the media hype (about owners' issues) and the FFA may have felt they needed to respond."

Sage said it was not being melodramatic to describe Tuesday's JALSC meeting in Sydney as crucial to the A-League's future.

10th April 2012 - TINKLER HANDS NEWCASTLE JETS LICENCE BACK TO FFA