South Sydney owner Russell Crowe ‘is trying to make bombshell move’ that will rock the NRL to its core

Russell Crowe is trying to sell his stake in South Sydney after playing a leading role in taking the club from cellar dwellers to premiers since paying $3million to take over the team in 2006, it has been reported.

The Hollywood star owns 25 per cent of the ‘Pride of the League’ and he is now looking for investors to purchase his stake, which is now valued at up to $20million, according to News Corp.

Souths were struggling badly both on and off the field before the Gladiator star and businessman Peter Holmes à Court won control in dramatic fashion, with Crowe delivering a stirring speech to members to convince them to let the club go private.

‘My last words to members were, “Let’s vote yes, let’s get into bed together, I hope you respect me in the morning”,’ Crowe said at the time.

Souths turned the corner very soon afterwards, making their first finals series for 18 seasons when they broke into the top eight in 2007.

Holmes à Court resigned as executive chairman and CEO in May 2008, and Crowe currently holds an equal share in the club with businessmen Mike Cannon-Brookes, James Packer, and the team’s members.

An American investor is interested in buying the stake and is having South Sydney’s operations examined, according to the report, which also states that Packer and Cannon-Brookes have the option of purchasing Crowe’s shares.

Crowe brought Hollywood glitz and glamour to the club almost straight away, famously having the players kitted out in clothing by Armani, and getting fellow megastars like Tom Cruise and Chris Hemsworth along to games. 

More to come…