Titans tough it out
GOLD Coast boss Steve Mitchell is adamant the Titans will not crumble again after club owner Darryl Kelly admitted he was unsure what impact the coronavirus crisis would have on the franchise’s finances.
The Titans are one of 16 NRL clubs facing uncertain futures as the COVID-19 pandemic affects world sport.
Gold Coast play their first home game of 2020 against Parramatta at an empty Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
The club has brokered a cheaper hiring agreement with Stadiums Queensland to play at the Robina venue given there will be no fans in attendance, and the NRL has already issued a $425,000 emergency package to all clubs.
However, if the competition is suspended at some point it could have dire consequences for clubs and the game.
The Titans essentially folded in 2015 on the back of large debts and were taken over by the NRL for almost three years before being bought by locals Darryl and Jo Kelly and Rebecca and Brett Frizelle.
Kelly lost more than $5 million in his initial investment in the Titans and has outlaid a significant amount again, as well as leading the development of a leagues club to bankroll the NRL operations.
When asked what impact the COVID-19 crisis would have on the Titans, Kelly said: “Unsure at this stage. We’re still working through the numbers.
“You’ve got to work through all the scenarios and that’s not a five-minute job.”
The Titans operate on a shoestring budget compared to NRL heavyweights such as Brisbane and South Sydney.
Like most NRL clubs, the Titans run at a loss and are propped up by their owners, instead of other revenue streams such as wealthy leagues clubs.
The Titans’ leagues club development on the northern Gold Coast is at least a year away from completion.
When pressed on whether the Titans could survive the current economic climate, chief executive Mitchell said: “At the moment, in our current position, we’ll get through but we’re going to need support.
“We’re still working through that with the NRL.
“I would think the club’s going to be here – it’s not going anywhere. Like all the clubs we’ve got some obstacles we’re going to have to move through.
“The whole game is in the same position. This is a three or four-month period where we need to really manage well, live within our means and get through so we can enjoy the rest of the footy season.’’
The Titans are slated to host derby rivals Brisbane in Round 3 in what is traditionally one of the club’s biggest games of the season but that fixture remains up in the air.
The NRL has begun lobbying government for financial support and Mitchell said that was critical to the game.
The Titans will face the Eels on Sunday without fullback AJ Brimson (back) but forward Moeaki Fotuaika is expected to play his first game of 2020.