A-League club Newcastle Jets could have new owners by Christmas

afr.com:

The owners of the Newcastle Jets have put the financially strained A-League club up for sale in an attempt to find a business or person that can provide long-term funding and support young talent.

A consortium made up of several A-Leagues clubs has controlled the Jets since January 2021, when previous owner Martin Lee was stripped of his licence for failing to invest in the club or pay off debts.

Newcastle Jets could have new owners by the end of the season.  Getty

Shane Mattiske, executive chairman of Newcastle Jets Football Club, said now was the right time to find a permanent owner.

“The focus was to stabilise the club and turn it to growth. It was always a transitional ownership,” Mr Mattiske said. “We’ve had approaches from different parties … but this is the first time we’re running a formal process.”

“It’s important to find a more permanent owner who has the right background, credentials and expertise.”

The Jets club was formed in 2000 as part of the National Soccer League (NSL) and was one of only three NSL clubs to join the inaugural season of the A-League in 2005. It has been without an owner since January 2021, when Chinese-based businessman Mr Lee had his A-League licence revoked.

Mr Lee had purchased the club for $5.5 million in 2016 but had put it up for sale by 2019, having tipped in about $15 million in three years.

The owners of Western Sydney Wanderers, Sydney FC and Western United have kept the Jets alive since Mr Lee’s removal, and replaced him with Mr Mattiske.

Mr Mattiske said club sponsorship had doubled over the last two years and the club planned to achieve 8500 members by the end of the season.

The club has previously received inbound interest. In February 2022, The Sydney Morning Herald report