Justin Pascoe and Lee Hagipantelis – the men who were at the centre of the Wests Tigers in recent years – have found a new role in the A-League.
The pair were ousted by the struggling NRL club last year after two straight wooden spoons, and have now purchased a 25 per cent stake in Maverick Sports Partners, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.
The newly-formed consortium, which is made up of businessmen from Sydney and Melbourne, was unveiled as the new owners of the Newcastle Jets on Tuesday.
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It gives Hagipantelis and Pascoe a quarter-share of the Jets franchise.
Lee Hagipantelis and Justin Pascoe. NRL Images
“Today is a hugely significant day for this club and this community, as we confirm Maverick Sports Partners as the new owners,” Jets CEO Shane Mattiske said.
“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.”
A spokesman for Maverick Sports Partners, Maurice Bisetto, said the group was “determined to build success” at the Jets over the coming years.
Newcastle had been on the market in 2021 after Chinese businessman Martin Lee withdrew his support for the club.
Hagipantelis and Pascoe held the roles of chairman and chief executive officer respectively during their time at the Tigers, drawing plenty of criticism from the club’s fans over board issues and disappointing on-field performance.