http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/t ... 6479469023NATHAN Tinkler's purchase of the Newcastle Knights was supposed to be about providing a secure nursery for thousands of young players in the Hunter region.
He pledged a $300,000-a-year grant to the Newcastle Rugby League to be spent on junior development - and declared he was doing it for the community.
As doubts were being raised this week about his long-term financial position, we can reveal half the money owed to the Newcastle Rugby League has not yet been paid.
Sources have told me $170,000 is overdue. Newcastle chairman Trevor Crow confirmed money was owed.
It's why questions are being asked about the Tinkler-owned Hunter Sports Group offering former England striker Emile Heskey a $1 million one-year deal with the Newcastle Jets.
Stories about Tinkler and his financial pressure have been around for months. I'm now told there are issues at the Knights with delays in superannuation payments and regular delays in paying staff salaries.
Player payments have been made on time to ensure there is no public outcry. Coach Wayne Bennett, who is on more than $1 million a year, is getting paid, but it hasn't stopped him from ringing Tinkler in Singapore at least twice a week to be kept up to date with the financial situation.
In another blow for the Tinkler empire, property group Mirvac told the Supreme Court they would be seizing Tinkler assets to settle a $17 million debt that was supposed to be paid by the first day of September.
He also has debts within the racing industry.
Fortunately for the Knights, their former CEO Steve Burraston had the foresight to insist a $20 million bank guarantee had to be part of the Tinkler purchase. Still, it doesn't cover the Newcastle Jets.
Surprisingly the NRL remains unconcerned. Then again, this is the same NRL that ignored the massive financial problems at the Gold Coast Titans for years.
"We have been assured by the Knights that there is no issue," said interim CEO Shane Mattiske. "In our monitoring of the club's finances, we've seen no evidence that would suggest we should be concerned.
Another NRL club in serious financial trouble.
