Bid’s ‘titanic’ plan

NRL franchise Gold Coast Titans have entered into talks with the Papua New Guinea’s NRL Bid office in a move that could see Port Moresby host top line matches.
Although initial reports from the Australian media earlier in the week claimed that the “cash-strapped” Titans were in fact looking to have the PNG NRL Bid buy a stake in the franchise, Gold Coast boss Michael Searle rubbished “sell-off talks” with the PNG NRL Bid.
Searle confirmed he had been speaking with the PNG bid team for nine months but they had no formal ties.
And given its reliance on NRL grant advances at various stages throughout the past two seasons, Gold Coast Titans shape as the perfect target.
Searle has discussed investment opportunities with a variety of parties over the past year in an effort to raise more cash.
“They felt they could learn from our experience about successful player recruitment, performance and commercial viability whilst continuing to achieve our objectives in the community around health, education, training and employment,” Searle said in a statement.
“They have since put forward various proposals on the table for discussion, including talent exchange programs, social delivery of key messages around education and employment and a potential equity investment but we have not yet determined how we can best assist PNG’s goals.”
PNG entered the frame a few months ago, but it’s understood Searle is adamant about maintaining a controlling share of the franchise.
PNG Bid boss Brad Tassell confirmed that the two parties had begun “preliminary talks”.
It is beleved that with solid government backing and the support of rich mining companies, the PNG bid has enough clout to alleviate the Titans’ woes.
In return it would expect games to be transferred to raise its profile and dispel doubts about PNG’s capa­city to participate full-time.
“There’s nothing concrete yet and at this time we’ve only had a few preliminary discussions,” Tassell said.
“Ownership in a current club is one of a range of options we’re investigating to push our bid for NRL inclusion.
“The talks (with Gold Coast) have been ongoing for three or four months.”
PNG Bid has already established a sponsorship link with the Brisbane Broncos.
But its relationship with the Titans pre-dates that link, with chairman Michael Broughton and wife Bev part of the ori­ginal bid committee.
And last year the PNG government announced plans for a new stadium to replicate Skilled Park.
Broughton, however, withdrew over conflict of interest concerns when Brisbane entered the scene last year.
Tassell does not believe the NRL will allow a club to be “completely relocated”.
“But there’s an option to relocate a certain number of games,” he said.
“We need to prove our ability to host top-line matches.”