League: Watson eyes privatised Knights

New Zealand Warriors owner Eric Watson could become a stakeholder in the Newcastle Knights if the struggling rugby league club is privatised, it was revealed today.

The Newcastle board appointed a committee last night to investigate privatisation.

Newcastle chairman Mike Tyler told the Sydney Morning Herald he had also arranged talks on the issue with Warriors chief executive Mick Watson when the Warriors are in Newcastle for Sunday's match between the two clubs.

Tyler said he was merely interested in learning about the ownership model at the Warriors, but added he would listen to any proposal put forward by Mick Watson at the meeting.

"I won't be talking to Mick about whether Eric wanted a stake (in the Knights), I'll be talking to him about how they went about it and what were the advantages and disadvantages," Tyler said.

"But I would be happy to listen to anything he has to say. I don't have anything specific to put to him at this stage."

Asked whether Eric Watson, a millionaire, would be interested in buying the Knights, Mick Watson told the Herald: "We always keep our door open for any investment or entrepreneurial opportunity."

The Knights don't have the backing of a leagues club (which includes game machines) and their troubles worsened when they lost a potential major sponsor over a pre-season incident in Bathurst that resulted in rookie prop Dane Tilse being sacked and 12 players fined a total of A$50,000 ($54,300).

Tyler opposes privatisation, but leading player Andrew Johns has called for it.

Tyler said he had an obligation to consider all options, including a public float.

Eric Watson saved the Warriors from extinction at the end of the 2000 season and has turned its financial worries around since then.

- NZPA