Tigers CEO disputes “conflict of interest” regarding signing player under son’s management
After signing a development player under his son’s management for the business he co-owns, interim Wests Tigers manager Shane Richardson has refuted any conflict of interest.
In order to allay accusations of conflict of interest, Richardson reportedly disclosed to the Tigers board all prior interests before taking on a six-month term as the team’s CEO, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Richardson, the co-founder and shareholder of Rich Digital, a consulting company with NRL player agent accreditation, took over as CEO of the Tigers after Justin Pascoe was fired.
The accreditation is owned by Brent Richardson, the son of Richardson, who recently signed Solomona Faataape, the Tigers’ final development contract for 2024.
After leading the Easts Tigers to victory in the Queensland Cup the previous season, Faataape declined a 16-week train-and-trial offer from the Broncos in order to work with Tigers coach Benji Marshall.
Richardson’s first signing with the team before Christmas was Faataape, and concerns about a possible conflict of interest were voiced.
Regarding Faataape’s deal, Richardson denied having any conflicts of interest.
“A conflict of interest does not exist,” Richardson declared.
“I am not authorized to negotiate contracts with players. All of that has always stood by my son. In the end, all was revealed, Wests Tigers are fully aware of every circumstance, and nothing has been kept a secret from anyone.
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About four or five months ago, Brent sent a tape to the Tigers. I asked Benji about it when I started going to the club, and he hadn’t even seen it.
Since no one else had given it to him, I did. Benji informed me that we needed to get this guy as soon as he saw the video.
After we took him out, Brent made the arrangement with Matt Betsey and Benji. That is all there is to it. Everyone knows full well what it is. It’s spotless as can be.
Wests Tigers has also hired Rich Digital as a consultant to help the team develop its brand and generate revenue. Rich Digital is a company that specializes in talent management, digital innovation, and brand building.
Greg Inglis, who is mentoring young Tigers fullback Jahream Bula, is another manager of Rich Digital. This week, the Souths legend was spotted wearing the team’s training uniform.
Richardson clarified, though, that Inglis was not receiving compensation from the Tigers for his work.
Richardson stated, “GI got to know him at an Indigenous program and we hit it off right away.”
“Benji and I agreed that he would make a fantastic Jahream mentor. He serves as Jahream’s mentor, keeping an eye on him and providing mental health support; the club does not pay him.
Basically, it’s a mentoring role. He’s not here to instruct him on how to play fullback; rather, he’s serving as a true mentor, teaching him the skills necessary to be
But according to New Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell, general manager Matt Betsey and Marshall worked directly with Brent Richardson to arrange Faataape’s contract, as The Herald reported.
“During my time working with Shane in this capacity, any interest that has needed to be declared at the CEO or director level has been declared in a timely manner,” O’Farrell stated.
Since taking on the CEO position at the Wests Tigers, Shane has conducted himself with the utmost integrity. He makes sure to stay within the proper bounds as a professional, and he discloses any problems or conflicts.
Enhancing governance was the Crawford-Barnier report’s main recommendation. Directors and the CEO have made sure that has been a component of the reform principle from the beginning.
