Mattiske to pilot new era for Jets

FORMER NRL boss Shane Mattiske has been appointed executive chairman of the Newcastle Jets after Martin Lee was stripped of the ALeague club’s licence.

Mattiske was given the job by a consortium of A-League League club investors which has taken control of the e embattled club following the departure of

Lee (pictured).

Football Australia a and Australian Prorofessional Leagues on Monday announced the immediate termination of the A-League and W-League licence held by Lee in the name of Newcastle Jets Club Pty Ltd for breaching the club’s participation agreement. The breach was for missing deadlines to pay debts.

A new licence was issued to an existing group of A-League investors — from Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United — which will fund the club until a new owner is found.

All Jets players will be offered contracts by the interim owners.

Lee, boss of the Shenzhenbased Ledman Group, bought the club in 2016 but reportedly stopped financing the Jets in October, 2019.

Mattiske was interim NRL CEO in 2012 following the resignation of David Gallop.

Before that he was the NRL’s general manager of strategy, a role he returned to following his six months as CEO, which ended when Dav David Smith was appo pointed to the job.

Mattiske left the NRL in March, 2014. His greatest achievement was his role in securing rugby league a $1.2 billion television deal with Fox and Nine.

“Today is a very positive step in the history of a great club which has strongly represented Newcastle, the Hunter and Northern NSW for two decades,” Mattiske said.

“The uncertainty that has overshadowed the Jets in recent times has been removed and the club now has a strong financial foundation to support its drive for further success.”

Jets captain Nigel Boogaard said: “The news is a big boost for the players and for the rest of the club.”

Lawrie McKinna, who had been Jets CEO under Lee’s ownership, is expected to remain in a new role.