"I sense a real chance that something quite amazing could happen with Monty Betham's attempt to float the club to fans."
In the past 24 hours, Watson has stood down as club chairman, passing the reins to former managing director Jim Doyle, with Cameron George, previously chief operating officer, elevated to chief executive officer.
With Davys now out of the race, Watson is open to other suitors and has been in discussions with Betham over the fan concept.
Doyle confirmed to Hosking this morning that Watson was prepared to sell the club, but only to the right party.
Hosking draw similarities between the sharefunding idea and the Green Bay Packers, a publicly owned non-profit organisation since 1923, that ranks among the most successful NFL teams. In the most recent public issue (2011), fans paid $US250 for stock.
"What's remarkable about [the Warriors] is, despite the fact they continue to promise so much, yet deliver so little, look at how much it's loved," says Hoskings.
"Forget the baggers, the hand-wringers and naysayers, Eric Watson had a buyer lined up for $15 million and apparently has two other bidders lined up as well.
"Monty's idea, I bet you anything you like, would sell out, if it was set up with appropriate rules and regulations - if it was properly structured.
"We bought a beach that no-one goes to at the top of the South Island on Trade Me ... how hard can it be to deal with a league team?
"It's the ultimate test of faith and confidence."
