Newcastle Jets are now owned by Maverick Sports Partners, the A-League club has announced.
Maverick Sports Partners is led by sports administrator Maurice Bisetto, who played a major part in the establishment of Western United in the A-Leagues.
The Jets had been without ownership since January 2021, when Martin Lee was stripped of his licence due to unpaid obligations and a lack of investment. The club was since been kept afloat by a consortium of fellow A-League clubs, but an owner was not found during this period of conservatorship so professional services firm KordaMentha had been retained to engineer a sale.
“Today is a hugely significant day for this club and this community, as we confirm Maverick Sports Partners as the new owners of the Jets,” Jets chief executive Shane Mattiske said in announcing the news. .
“Over the last three years, we have built a strong foundation for the future of this football club, and it is exciting to be beginning a new era with incoming owners who believe in the opportunity that exists with this club, with this community and with football as a whole.
“Throughout our process, Maurice Bisetto, the consortium representative, and his partners have demonstrated a deep understanding of football and how to bring success. They also understand this community and their plans are very much aligned with the work that is already underway. I know the group will bring positive new thinking, new connections and a wealth of experience that will drive the growth of this club moving forward.”
Bisetto was quoted in the Jets statement as saying that Maverick Sports Partners “believe in this club, the A-Leagues and its players, and we’re determined to build success for the Jets and this region”.
“We have been impressed by the strength of football here in this region,” he said. “We know there is a strong historical fanbase and a strong participation base here and we want to bring all of these people together for our Men’s and Women’s games.”
The change of ownership and licence approval is subject to successful completion of the necessary approval processes by the Australian Professional Leagues and regulatory processes by Football Australia, including the “fit and proper person tests” conducted by Football Australia.