Temporary Wests After signing a developing player under his son’s management for the business he co-owns, Tigers
manager Shane Richardson has refuted any conflict of interest.
In order to allay concerns 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 firm that offers NRL player agent
accreditation, took over as the Tigers’ CEO after Justin Pascoe was fired.
The accreditation is owned by Brent Richardson, the son of Richardson, who just signed Solomona Faataape, the
Tigers’ final development deal until 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”
About four or five months ago, Brent sent a recording to
the Tigers. Benji had not even seen it when I questioned
him about it when I first started at the club.I passed it on
to him because no one else had. Benji informed me that
we have to grab this guy as soon as he saw the video.After
we took him out, Brent closed the deal 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 creation.
Greg Inglis, who is mentoring rookie 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 anything 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 function. He is genuinely serving as a mentor, teaching him the skills necessary to be a
successful first-grade football player off the field rather than instructing him on how to play fullback. Nothing
improper is occurring in any form or circumstance.
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 keep inside the proper bounds as a professional, and he discloses any problems or disputes.
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 concept from the beginning.
