Crowe Vows To Pull The Plug
Dec. 15 2008, Published 6:13 a.m. ET
(Photo: Splash News Online) Russell Crowe, who owns the Rabbitohs -- the South Sydney Rugby League club -- says that he won't continue to bankroll the team and that it should stand on its own feet.
According to Crowe, the club, which has a membership base of 6000, needs to more than double its present number to succeed.
"Next week someone will have to find a couple of hundred grand for gym equipment, 50 or 60 (thousand) more for interior design fitout costs at Redfern (Oval), individually named lockers, ice baths built in," Crowe said. "Don't worry about the bill - between generous sponsors and myself we'll get it done this time but I will tell you this though - I won't continue to put the type of cash I've had to into Souths forever. The business has to begin to stand on its own feet. And to be quite sure that is not an emotional issue for me. It is what it is."
Crowe, along with entrepreneur Peter Holmes aCourt, bought a 75 percent stake in the NRL club in 2006 for $3.7 million.