Tony Philp: Hurricanes Interim CEO on the change of leadership at the club

The Hurricanes have revealed a $2 million loss is projected for the current financial year, after announcing a new leadership structure. 

Local developer Malcolm Gillies has stepped in to buy the Wellington Rugby Union's 50% stake in the Super Rugby franchise. 

NZ Rugby will also take a minority shareholding and bolster the 'Canes with loans. 

Interim CEO Tony Philp told Andrew Dickens rugby’s had a difficult few years, but there’s certainly opportunities at the club to settle the finances moving forward. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So the Hurricanes are going to start the new season
with a different ownership model, and the change follows the
Wellington Rugby sale of its fifty percent stake in the club.
So what does this mean for fans and what does
it mean what can we expect to see at ground level?
I've got online interim Hurricanes CEO Tony Phelp who joins me.

Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hello, Tony, get out Andrew, good morning, how are you
very good?

Speaker 1 (00:22):
So what's the new model?

Speaker 2 (00:25):
It's it's exciting ownership model where we've got Malcolm Gillies
and John and Peter with d s I who brought
fifty percent of the years from Wellington Rugby.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
Right and who owns the other fifty percent? Just to
keep everybody in line?

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, yeah, We've we've got still existing owners made up
of private ownership with a group called hy eleven. We've
also got ended our contribution and support from them as
well as some provincial Union board members. So between all
of that, we feel like we've got a really exciting and.

Speaker 1 (00:59):
Balanced Okay, now, the Wellington Union sold their shares because
the franchise had racked up two million dollars worth of losses.
So my question is will this new ownership fix the
situation and why is the franchise losing so much money?

Speaker 2 (01:13):
So I think it's as we all know, rugby's had
a difficult few years and you know, there's certainly some
opportunities here for the club moving forward to be able
to settle the financial reality of the club and take
it into the future with thinking a little bit differently
about the game and how we continue to engage our

(01:33):
community and our fans and get people to the stadium
and you know, continue to support our loyal commercial partners
through playing some exciting rugby on the field.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
Of course, and that is that is that is that's
the base level. Does the Gillies and Code the new owners,
do they have any bright new ideas?

Speaker 2 (01:53):
As we all know about the Hurricanes, You know, we
dare to be different and certainly Malcolm, John and Peter
and our border thinking differently about how we you know,
show rugby to the public both on and off the field.
And you know it's fair to say that Malcolm in
particular is bringing some innovative thoughts and ideas to our game,
which I think is exciting overall.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
Will the fans see any change, Yeah, I.

Speaker 2 (02:18):
Think they'll see Yeah, they'll see an exciting brand of
rugby first and foremost, and you know, we can really
harbor the stadium to be innovative around how we can
allow it to be a really great event for people
to attend and come along to and feel like they're
part of it. And you know, from a club point
of view, we're putting lots of energy and tension into
the community and engageing with our community. And as you know,

(02:40):
our region is as vast and we've got a game
up in Napier which we're excited about and as well
as the Stadium of Wellington and we're looking to get
up to Partmerston North and our bye week and connect
with the community out there.

Speaker 1 (02:53):
Well Tony, we wish you are the very best of
Like Tony, philpers the interim Hurricanes ce.

Speaker 2 (02:58):
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