Behind the scenes, the Wests Tigers are once again consumed by chaos – and this time, it’s not about what happens on the field, but who’s calling the shots off it. But here’s where things get heated: a bitter power struggle has reignited between the club’s major owners, the Holman Barnes Group, and those who believe they’re overstepping their bounds.
Former chairman Lee Hagipantelis didn’t hold back, accusing the Holman Barnes Group of meddling in decisions they have no business being part of. His remarks came after a dramatic boardroom cleanout that saw chairman Barry O’Farrell and three independent directors suddenly removed on Monday afternoon. The move immediately threw chief executive Shane Richardson’s future into question, with whispers now circling about whether he’ll even survive until the 2026 season.
It’s not the first time the Tigers have gone through internal turmoil. Hagipantelis himself and his entire board were dumped back in late 2023 after Holman Barnes’ end-of-season review. The group, which owns 90 percent of the club, claimed it wanted structural change – but critics say it was really about control.
One flashpoint reportedly fueling the firings? Something as simple as the team’s jersey design. Some within the Wests Magpies faction were angered that the new Tigers kit leaned too heavily on Balmain’s traditional colors and branding, seeing it as yet another slight against the Magpies’ half of the joint venture. Is it really about team spirit, or about whose legacy gets to shine brighter?
Speaking to SEN, Hagipantelis said he wasn’t surprised by the boardroom implosion – in fact, he was shocked it didn’t happen sooner. According to him, signs of tension had been bubbling beneath the surface for months. He recalled a conversation with a Holman Barnes director who felt their group was being “kept in the dark” about major decisions. Their frustration centered on feeling sidelined and uninformed despite their majority ownership.
“There’s been this underlying tension for quite some time,” Hagipantelis explained. “Wests Group owns 90 percent of the club, yet many within it feel their voice isn’t truly heard or that the Magpie symbol no longer gets the respect it deserves.” In his view, the new jersey controversy was just the spark that finally lit the fuse.
Oddly enough, it’s not the first time the Tigers have been burned by color politics. Hagipantelis even recalled a past incident under former CEO Justin Pascoe when a small dash of orange was added to the NSW Cup team’s jersey. That minor design tweak – meant to symbolize unity – infuriated the Magpies supporters. The backlash was so fierce that all the jerseys had to be pulled and remade. As Hagipantelis put it, “They’re very sensitive about that sort of thing.”
Some insiders now fear this latest turmoil could push the Wests Magpies to make a bold move: a return to the NRL on their own, potentially leaving the Tigers behind. That possibility underpins Hagipantelis’ renewed call for the Holman Barnes Group to step away from football operations altogether. He argues their strength lies in running leagues clubs, restaurants, and gaming operations, not managing a professional rugby league team.
“They’re brilliant at hospitality and gaming,” he said, “but when it comes to football, they’ve struggled from the beginning. The same people who lived through the painful 1999 merger are still around, and those old wounds haven’t healed. This is not a happy marriage – it never really has been.”
In short, despite owning the lion’s share of the club, many within the Wests faction still feel voiceless and underappreciated. And with egos, history, and legacy all colliding once more, one can’t help but wonder: is the Wests Tigers’ biggest opponent actually wearing their own jersey?
What do you think? Should Holman Barnes stay out of football operations, or do they have every right to assert control as majority owners? Share your thoughts – this debate isn’t ending anytime soon.
