NRL could strip licence from Wests Tigers’ owners after fresh board ructions

The NRL may consider intervening and potentially stripping the Wests Tigers' licence from majority owner Holman Barnes Group following renewed board turmoil. HBG chief executive and Tigers director Daniel Paton was stood down pending an investigation after an emergency board meeting on Wednesday. Paton was reportedly excluded from the room as chairman Dennis Burgess raised undisclosed allegations, prompting two directors to abstain from the vote.

HBG holds a 90 percent stake in the Tigers, who have failed to reach the finals for 15 years. The group's recent decisions include extending coach Benji Marshall's contract through 2030 and investing in soccer clubs Central Coast Mariners and APIA Leichhardt FC, moves that have sparked internal conflict and pending legal action in the NSW Supreme Court.