One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: mightytiges on June 17, 2004, 11:47:34 PM
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Announced on TFS tonight ::)
Biography:
(http://www.cams.com.au/images/foundation/about/steven-wright.jpg)
Steven was the former CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (to April this year). Left to pursue private business interests.
He was educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School and Monash University, where he graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Economics majoring in accounting. Followed by an Honours Degree in Bachelor of Laws (1987) and Masters of Law (1994).
From 1989 to 1997, Steven was employed at Freehills Solicitors in Melbourne and Sydney as a Solicitor specialising in Sports Law and Dispute Resolution and subsequently a Senior Associate.
Steven began his career with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation in February 1997 as the Legal and Business Manager. He became Deputy CEO in May 2000 and took up the appointment as CEO in September 2001. Prior to this he was the Acting CEO during the 2001 and Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
http://www.cams.com.au/Content.asp?PageID=Foundation&ObjectID=1
Tiger supporter to boot as well apparently.
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Grand prix boss to take Tiger role
By Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson
realfooty.theage.com.au
June 18, 2004
Former Melbourne Grand Prix boss Steven Wright, a lifelong Richmond fan whose father has referred to him as "Roycey" for as long as he can remember, will take over the role of chief executive at the troubled club.
Wright, chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation until April, last night confirmed he had been offered the position by the Richmond board.
"We're working on finalising the arrangements in the new few days," the former grand prix chief told The Age from Germany, where he is on business.
Wright said, in the event that his appointment was ratified, he would "look forward to working with the club for a successful Richmond in 2005".
Wright, 39, is a fanatical Richmond supporter with strong links to the club. His cousin, Laurie Pearson, is a trainer at the club, and his father, Douglas, took him to his first Richmond game at the age of six. Wright's father called him "Roycey" after the Tigers' champion centre half-forward, Royce Hart.
"I first went to see the Tigers as a six-year-old with my dad, Douglas. The Richmond Football Club plays a major part in my life. I watch them most Saturdays," Wright said in an interview last year.
Wright is believed to have nursed an ambition of working for Richmond as chief executive.
He had met Richmond directors several times, including president Clinton Casey, before he was offered the job.
Wright was the Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive for two years, having worked in various roles, including business manager and deputy chief executive with the grand prix for seven-and-a-half years before becoming chief executive. Before that, he worked for leading law firm Freehills, specialising in sports law.
As chief executive of the grand prix, where he was renowned for his diligence and hard work, Wright was experienced in dealing with sponsors, an area in which the Tigers have struggled.
Wright left the grand prix to establish a backpacker/tourism business, before he was headhunted by the Tigers.
He replaces Ian Campbell, the former Nike executive, who was sacked last month after less than 12 months in the job and following the revelation that the club would lose at least $2 million in 2004 and would require help from the AFL. There have been more than 60 chief executives at AFL clubs over the past six years.
The Tigers alone have gone through two chief executives in less than two years, and Wright will be the ninth man to hold that challenging job at Tigerland in 14 years.
The initial favourite to replace to replace Campbell was former Commonwealth Games bid chief Leighton Wood, who failed to win the job after a grilling from the Tigers' board two weeks ago.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/06/17/1087245040419.html
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Former GP boss Wright man for job
18 June 2004
Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
FORMER Grand Prix boss Steven Wright is the new chief executive of Richmond.
Tiger boss fears for clubs
The Tigers are poised to announce the coup today as a major positive amid off-field rumblings.
Although Wright is yet to formally sign an agreement, he last night told the Herald Sun he would be taking the position.
Wright, on business in Germany, is set to start at Punt Rd in early August.
"If there's one job in the world I'd look forward to taking, it's this one," Wright said last night.
"We have to finalise the details, but I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge of leading the mighty Tigers."
Richmond president Clinton Casey last night said Wright, a lifelong Tigers fan, was a standout candidate.
"We've made an offer to Steven. We think he's got the background and experience that we need to rebuild this football club," Casey said.
Wright will be the Tigers' third boss in 13 months, following the departures of Ian Campbell and Mark Brayshaw.
The 39-year-old is stepping into one of the toughest jobs in football, amid threats of a challenge to Tigers president Clinton Casey and concerns the club could lose as much as $2.5 million this year.
But Wright said he would relish the challenge.
"I've been involved in sports in my whole business life and I have no doubt Richmond can be a very successful club," he said.
The appointment comes after Casey and his directors met AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and chief commissioner Ron Evans on Wednesday to brief them on candidates for the job.
Wright publicly announced he was leaving the Australian Grand Prix Corporation – a $70 million organisation – in April.
From September 2002, the former lawyer headed both the Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island and the Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park.
He had been involved with the Grand Prix since February 1997, also filling the roles of legal and business manager and deputy chief executive.
Before that, he was a senior associate and solicitor at Freehills in Melbourne and Sydney.
Wright was in the process of setting up his own business when approached by the Tigers after the the departure of Campbell in late May.
"I was well down the path of setting up my own business. When Ian (Campbell) left I had a discussion with some board members," Wright said.
As well as his impressive business credentials, Wright also ticks the right football boxes as a close follower of the Tigers.
He is an MCC Tiger category member, a Tommy Hafey Club member as well as being a personal backer of Bowden.
Wright completed an AFL players' agent course in 1996.
Wright's predecessor Campbell resigned in late May after just one year in the job.
The Tigers have since conceded they picked the wrong man for the role.
Campbell, a former Nike executive, came to the Tigers on the recommendation of the AFL, and in particular Ben Buckley, the league's general manager of broadcasting, strategy and major projects, who had also worked with the US footwear giant.
Renowned as a marketing guru, Campbell's lack of football nous was seen as the major stumbling block.
Former Commonwealth Games boss Leighton Wood had been considered favourite for the Tigers' role.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9876324%255E19771,00.html
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Very impressive Tiger supporter too.
I saw him at the Club last week - recognised the face but couldn't think of the name :D ;D
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Clearly a positive move!
Now all we need to do is remove Dud and his circus sideshow!
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I question the timing of this appointment and also the fact that he has been appointed by Casey who's days appear to be numbered.
Yes Wright's CV reads well but so did Ian Campbell's
I would prefer that the board that will lead us next year and beyond to make these appointments. Next Casey will be appointing our next coach.
This is the angle that Pahoff is coming from. He (along with many members) doesn't want Casey and co. making vital appointments and wants to get the ball rolling in regards to setting up the board before these decisions are mad.
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I would prefer that the board that will lead us next year and beyond to make these appointments. Next Casey will be appointing our next coach.
This is the angle that Pahoff is coming from. He (along with many members) doesn't want Casey and co. making vital appointments and wants to get the ball rolling in regards to setting up the board before these decisions are mad.
But Harry H the word coming from the " secret alternative ticket" is that they are saying this is a positive appointment - they support it.
This is an appointment that needed to be made and was made by the entire board - so it isn't just a Casey appointment. If it was a Casey appointment the person's name would be different ;)
I would have thought that the Club cannot afford to wait until August/Sept to look for new sponsors (for example).
We cannot sit in limbo land while we wait for 100 signatures and a meeting that may not change anything.
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Got a chuckle out the line last night "Stevie Wright and the Easybeats" lol ;D
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Got a chuckle out the line last night "Stevie Wright and the Easybeats" lol ;D
I know I certainly have "friday on my mind"
;D
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Wright choice for Richmond
3:37:23 PM Fri 18 June, 2004
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Steven Wright, the man expected to be officially announced as Richmond’s new CEO at the president’s dinner before tomorrow night’s match against Carlton at Telstra Dome, is ideally equipped to handle the role.
That’s the opinion of Tiger icon, Neville Crowe, who was instantly impressed with Wright when he first met him a couple of years ago.
“Steven is an extremely intelligent, articulate and charismatic gentleman – there’s no doubt about that,” said the former Richmond captain, president, Hall of Fame inductee and now Club coteries manager.
“But over and above those outwardly obvious traits, what I found really endearing about Steven was his incredible passion for, and knowledge of, the Richmond Football Club.
“The marriage of that deep love of the Tigers, with his outstanding business acumen and experience, make him absolutely the “Wright man” to tackle the challenges ahead at Punt Road.
“Steven’s commitment to the task is clear evidence of exemplary courage and integrity.”
Wright, the former chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix, is currently on business in Germany and is expected to start at Punt Road in August.
“If there’s one job in the world I’d look forward to taking, it’s this one,” Wright said.
“I’ve been involved in sports in my whole business life and I have no doubt Richmond can be a very successful club.”
Wright had been involved with the Australian Grand Prix since early 1997 in a variety of roles. He worked his way up from legal and business manager, to deputy chief executive, before taking over as the chief executive in 2002. Before joining the Grand Prix, he was a senior associate and solicitor at Freehills in Melbourne and Sydney.
The 39-year-old left the Australian Grand Prix Corporation in April to set up his own business, but received an approach from Richmond regarding its CEO’s position when Ian Campbell departed Punt Road late last month.
http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=155732
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I know I certainly have "friday on my mind"
Then i guess now's not the best time to tell ya I'm not working Fridays any more lol
Or to tell you i had a nice old sleep in while you poor buggers were driving in the hail and rain this morning lol
Now, that would be a horrible thing to boast about hey!
Give you a rough idea of the person i am ;D
It's okay, i've just blown my pay on the sales lol
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It's okay, i've just blown my pay on the sales lol
Paid for on a credit card I hope with lots of interest - meany ;D ;D
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Oh no doubt lol
PS: You've got a nasty streak Willie ;D
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Oh no doubt lol
PS: You've got a nasty streak Willie ;D
Just getting bitter and twisted in my old age froars. ;D
Either that or spending too much time around other disllusioned Tiger fans ;)
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Lets just hope that Steven Wright doesnt have the ambition to turn punt road into a racing circuit. lol ::)
Like Mr Campbell who wanted to turn it into a rock venue,lol
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Lets just hope that Steven Wright doesnt have the ambition to turn punt road into a racing circuit. lol ::)
;D
The Ferrari horse logo is yellow and black and our guys love going via the wings ;).
Michael Schumacher - number one RFC ticket holder 8).
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LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO@
Our new chief CEO,STEVIE WRIGHT, being a recovering heroin addict and former lead singer of the easybeats.
Also known for the Aussie epic/trilogy, "Evie" parts 1,2 &3
LMAOOOOOO@A junkie running the show
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I actually like Evie parts 1,2 & 3. Especially when the Melody Lords sing it and the leader singing gets some chick up from the crowd in part 2 and sticks his tongue down her throat, lol ;)
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Wright off and running
12:47:48 PM Fri 20 August, 2004
richmondfc.com.au
Richmond’s new CEO, Steven Wright, started his official duties with the Tigers this week.
The 39-year-old former chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix returned from overseas on Wednesday and was in the chair at Punt Road the following day, ready for “the many exciting challenges that lie ahead”.
“I suppose I’ve hit the ground running because there’s so much to be done, but that doesn’t faze me at all,” he said.
“If I didn’t think Richmond can be a very successful club, I wouldn’t be here.
“I can already sense the really positive vibes about the club’s future and I’m totally committed to doing everything I can to get the Tigers back up to where we belong.”
We will have an in-depth interview with Steven Wright at richmondfc.com.au early next month.
http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=166957
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Wright up to the challenge
15 September, 2004
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Steven Wright followed his heart – and his head – to the CEO’s post at Punt Road . . .
The 39-year-old former chief executive of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation admits that having Yellow and Black blood coursing through his veins did influence his decision to join Richmond in the crucial off-field role, however, it was not the sole reason.
“I’ve been a Tiger my whole life. I grew up with the No. 4 of Royce Hart on my back and his picture on my wall as a kid, I went along to the games, and I wrote to the Club encouraging Royce during his career,” Wright said on Sport 927’s ‘Tigers’ Club Corner’.
“But while the passion is there as a Tiger supporter, this was a decision made with my head as well.
“Looking at the Club and where it is now, I felt that I could make a contribution. You know, I’m never going to play centre half-forward for the ‘Tiges’, but if I can bring some of the business skills I’ve learned and help get the Club back on a strong financial setting and well set up, then I think the future’s very bright for Richmond. That’s why I’m here . . .”
Wright has wasted no time in rolling up his sleeves and getting stuck into the big challenge that lies ahead at Tigerland.
“Unfortunately, at the moment, we haven’t got the luxury of time, to be able to sit back, just settle in nicely into the chair and look around and watch the grass grow on Punt Road Oval,” he said.
“I’ve been spending all my time on the business operations, getting my head around the budget, the financial position of the Club, and working out how we’re going to take it forward. So, it’s been a pretty busy time.
“We’ve really been looking at ways of getting us back on a solid financial footing . . . that includes setting a budget that’s achievable – no revenue projections that are out of this world.
“And, from a cost point of view as well, we need to go through and make sure that every dollar we earn is being wisely spent.
“So, that’s what I’ve been doing for the last few weeks – going through each department, line by line and working out where they’ve been spending the money and where they can make savings. I’m quite confident we can make a big turnaround with the finances next year . . . Once we get some financial stability, which hopefully will be in the near future, we’ll certainly then be able to grow the Club and look forward to prosperity.
“You can’t have continued football success without solid financial foundations, and that’s really what my focus is at the moment, leaving Terry (Wallace) and Greg (Miller) to develop the football side of the business in the short term, before I’ve got time to work with them on that.”
Although Wright didn’t officially start duties at Richmond until about a month ago, he was part of the process that resulted in Terry Wallace being lured to Punt Road as coach. He spoke at length over the phone with Wallace while still overseas.
“I had a number of discussions with Terry before he accepted the job . . . At that point in time we hadn’t had a chance to meet each other in person, but we felt it was important that if we’re going to be working together for the revival of the Richmond Football Club, we needed to understand that we’re coming from the same direction.” Wright said.
“He and I had the same view of where we saw Richmond going, and how we were going to work together to maximise the Club’s potential, which was fantastic news . . . I was very, very pleased with our discussion.”
And, Wright is convinced the triple Hawthorn premiership player and former Bulldogs coach is the right man to turn around the fortunes of the 2004 wooden-spooners.
“Terry will be a great coach of Richmond. He has all the enthusiasm in the world, he’s got a strategic brain, and he’s very excited and looking forward to the job,” Wright said.
“I think there are a lot of Richmond fans out there who are seeing the changes being made at the Club, particularly with Terry coming in, as well as us having the early draft picks, and realising there’s a really bright future for the Tigers.
“So, I encourage all the supporters to buy their membership tickets when they come on sale in the next few weeks for 2005 and get on board the Tiges.”
The one area of the Club Wright stresses he will not be involved with, is the political battle between the incumbent Board, led by Clinton Casey, and the alternative ticket headed up by Charles Macek.
“I just want to make it clear where I stand on the political issue. I’m an employee of the Richmond Football Club, my loyalty is to the Club and it’s my job to make sure the Club is successful in everything we do,” he said.
“I’m not taking sides or getting involved in the politics between the current Board and the alternative group – it would be totally inappropriate to do so. As far as I’m concerned, my main focus is on developing and rebuilding the Richmond Football Club.”
Wright finished with an interesting analogy between Richmond and the Formula One industry that had previously been such a major part of his life.
“If you look at Formula One, you realise that up to 1998 Ferrari hadn’t won a championship for a long time,” he said.
“So, while you can be on the bottom for a number of years, and at the back of the grid, you can still work your way back to the top. That’s what we’ll be doing at Tigerland . . .”
http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=171148
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“We’ve really been looking at ways of getting us back on a solid financial footing . . . that includes setting a budget that’s achievable – no revenue projections that are out of this world.
Finally, finally - smart budgeting :thumbsup
I have been saying this for years - the revenue targets needed to be achievable not based on hoping the team was going to successful - the RFC has done this for far too long.
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I have the solution to our finances, very simple really, spend the money you have, dont spend monet you aint got!
Now was that easy ! ::)
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I have the solution to our finances, very simple really, spend the money you have, dont spend monet you aint got!
Now was that easy ! ::)
Fair call Jackstar.
But you have to budget for achievable revenues. You can't hope you are going to raise $27 miilion when history tells you that you are lucky to get $25m. How much you spend is determined by how much you earn.
I would argue that you shouldn't budget for say home crowds of 50,000 when you're coming off a season where you've won 7 games and think that your gonna make the finals when common sense should tell you that it is highly unlikely :help
Common Sense ::) ::) - now there's a concept :bow
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:thumbsup
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I would argue that you shouldn't budget for say home crowds of 50,000 when you're coming off a season where you've won 7 games and think that your gonna make the finals when common sense should tell you that it is highly unlikely :help
Especially when your home ground has its capacity reduced by about a third meaning "traditional" clashes draw lower crowds than usual (round 1 vs Pies). Geez how could anyone think we would average home crowds of 50,000 with a side that hardy wins and a style of play that sends you to sleep ???.
Common sense and Richmond haven't been used in the one sentence for over 20 years :'(.
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What are you talking about mightytiges? Frawley told us over pre-season he was going to change his style....our poor CEO thought this guy Frawley, hes a top bloke...hes going to change his style, we are going to attack and play nice footy and the fans will come.......
HAHAHAHAHAHA What a grouse club we have.
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I remember go to the AGM and the coach got up and said, we were going to play alot of "Colllison Footy "" this year Didnt see any of that, more like blokes being frightened for 22 rounds ! ::)
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What are you talking about mightytiges? Frawley told us over pre-season he was going to change his style....
Silly me om21 ;D
I remember going to the Wizz Fizz Cup game against the Dees in Feb 2003 and expecting to see a revamped gameplan after our failings in 2002. When I saw no change and a similar insipid effort I was convinced Spud couldn't change his ways either. With Richo and Otto out injured in the early part of 2003 Danny was forced to come up with something different up forward and amazingly we won a few games. But as soon as they came back that was all chucked out the window and it was straight back to boring old one-dimensional footy :scream.
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What are you talking about mightytiges? Frawley told us over pre-season he was going to change his style....
Silly me om21 ;D
I remember going to the Wizz Fizz Cup game against the Dees in Feb 2003 and expecting to see a revamped gameplan after our failings in 2002. When I saw no change and a similar insipid effort I was convinced Spud couldn't change his ways either. With Richo and Otto out injured in the early part of 2003 Danny was forced to come up with something different up forward and amazingly we won a few games. But as soon as they came back that was all chucked out the window and it was straight back to boring old one-dimensional footy :scream.
Yuck.....Its like a nightmare......That game was a disaster as was the start of the year...