Manly chairman and owner Scott Penn has knocked back a secret $30 million-plus offer to sell the Sea Eagles to a syndicate of businessmen.
We can reveal the man behind the consortium is Blake Cannavo, the wealthy chief executive and managing director of mining company, Native Mineral resources.
Cannavo was a behind-the-scenes powerbroker and third-party sponsor at Newcastle for many years before moving on to Manly earlier this year.
He’s previously worked for some of the country’s most affluent and high-powered business people in Twiggy Forrest and Gina Reinhart.
Penn has confirmed the recent interest from the consortium.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations over the years with certain people wanting to buy us,” Penn said.
“More recently we had another conversation. There was no point in us even talking about it right now.
“I’m not going anywhere. The thing is I’m excited about the future. It’s frustrating. A lot of people have said things about our ownership over the years, but we’re still here.
“So say whatever you want.”
Penn and the Manly club have had one of their toughest years since taking over part ownership of the club in 2006, and then a majority shareholding in 2014.
The shock round-four announcement that club legend Daly Cherry-Evans was bailing out on the club fractured the playing ranks and left coach Anthony Seibold to deal with a lot more than just coaching the football side.
“It’s been a tough year for a variety of reasons,” Penn said.
“Often these tough times galvanise you and make you focus on what’s really important.
“Tony (Mestrov), Seibs (Anthony Seibold) and I have never been more aligned.
“We might be talking about the structure moving forward but we’re not selling.”
Seibold has two years to run on his coaching contract.
And while missing out on finals football this year is almost unacceptable, he has enough internal support to survive and coach into next season.
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There are some awkward times at Manly around the strained relationships with player agent George Mimis. Mimis looks after Matt Ballin, who is being pushed by old boys to replace Anthony Seibold. Mimis also manages Michael Ennis, who is a coaching consultant at the Sea Eagles.
We can reveal the man behind the consortium is Blake Cannavo, the wealthy chief executive and managing director of mining company, Native Mineral resources.
Cannavo was a behind-the-scenes powerbroker and third-party sponsor at Newcastle for many years before moving on to Manly earlier this year.
He’s previously worked for some of the country’s most affluent and high-powered business people in Twiggy Forrest and Gina Reinhart.
Penn has confirmed the recent interest from the consortium.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations over the years with certain people wanting to buy us,” Penn said.
“More recently we had another conversation. There was no point in us even talking about it right now.
“I’m not going anywhere. The thing is I’m excited about the future. It’s frustrating. A lot of people have said things about our ownership over the years, but we’re still here.
“So say whatever you want.”
Penn and the Manly club have had one of their toughest years since taking over part ownership of the club in 2006, and then a majority shareholding in 2014.
The shock round-four announcement that club legend Daly Cherry-Evans was bailing out on the club fractured the playing ranks and left coach Anthony Seibold to deal with a lot more than just coaching the football side.
“It’s been a tough year for a variety of reasons,” Penn said.
“Often these tough times galvanise you and make you focus on what’s really important.
“Tony (Mestrov), Seibs (Anthony Seibold) and I have never been more aligned.
“We might be talking about the structure moving forward but we’re not selling.”
Seibold has two years to run on his coaching contract.
And while missing out on finals football this year is almost unacceptable, he has enough internal support to survive and coach into next season.
------------------------------------------------
There are some awkward times at Manly around the strained relationships with player agent George Mimis. Mimis looks after Matt Ballin, who is being pushed by old boys to replace Anthony Seibold. Mimis also manages Michael Ennis, who is a coaching consultant at the Sea Eagles.
