http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl- ... 6519422700
Russell Crowe has sought to ease concerns of South Sydney fans as he moves to sell his share of the NRL club.
The actor took to Twitter on Monday, declaring: "South Sydney FC in a great place. Money in the bank, long term contracts with star players, excellent coach. Don't listen to panic merchants."
And at a press conference held at Redfern Oval by the Rabbitohs on Monday morning, the message was very much that things don't need to change, with or without Crowe, and there'll be no fire sale to get rid of his share in the club.
"No, the club is not for sale," Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas said.
"All that's happened is that Russell has an intention to dispose of his interests and that's what he told us about a month ago. He amplified that with communications over the weekend. We're well-prepared for it as a club.
"We don't have to look for a buyer. That's the investor's perogative to look for a buyer and if a buyer is found then there's certain rights the members have.
"The members have first rights to match any offer that might come forward. It might be that no buyer's found. I don't know and that's a matter for the future, it's a matter for the investors to decide."
Souths CEO Shane Richardson added that Crowe would still have a role to play at the club, whether or not he remains an investor, and painted a bright picture for the Rabbitohs,
with an unheard of profit forecast for 2013.
"If and when (Crowe sells his share in the club) he'll still be heavily involved," Richardson said.
"Business as usual goes on. It's very, very important to give that message to everybody. Nothing changes in any way, shape or form.
"The members honestly believe that what we're doing for the club is the best for the club going forward. And I think they understand that it'll continue on as it is.
"This year is the fourth year that we'll make a cash-flow profit. Next year we're projecting a seven figure profit."
Crowe has cited family reasons following his marriage split for wanting out of the club at the end of the 2013 season.
However, his move to sell raised fresh concern from former club patriatch George Piggins, who was a fierce opponent of Crowe's and businessman Peter Holmes a Court's successful takeover bid in 2006.
"I think the fans must be very concerned about where the club goes now, and those who voted for the takeover must be very concerned too," Piggins said.
"This is exactly what worried me most about the whole thing ... the fans will be feeling cheated."
"You have to ask where do Souths go from here?
"Where will the money come from considering the struggles leagues clubs are having these days? Will the club still be based in Sydney or might they have to move it somewhere like Perth?
"This brings so much uncertainty, and it was always what troubled me about it.
"But I can't see anyway they can go back to the old model. They will have to find another billionaire who wants to take over and I'm not sure there are too many of them out there."
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Bolded and underlined is mine. Raid is owed an apology. He was right. Souths are in the black and big time!
. Their overall average was still a shitty 16k 
