Tigers split on new president Jon Pierik
The Age
September 26, 2013 - 6:55PM The Richmond presidential race has turned into a power struggle, with the board split over who should replace Gary March.
Vice-president Maurice O'Shannassy, a board member since 2004, and Malcolm Speed, a former barrister and sports administrator who joined the Tigers in October 2011, are jostling for the top role.
As March is standing down, he does not have a direct vote, but it's understood he has thrown his weight behind O'Shannassy, a finance and investment expert who sits on a number of the Tigers' sub-committees.
It is believed the AFL has privately been supportive of Speed's bid, although it does not have an official say in the vote. At least one former Richmond president is also supporting Speed.
The remaining eight-member board is divided, although that could change should March's replacement on the board be elected before a final call on the presidency is made. Neither O'Shannassy nor Speed are understood to be willing to step down.
There had been suggestions the Tigers would announce their new president at Monday's best-and-fairest count, or in the days after, but this now may not be done until the annual general meeting later in the year.
March, who took charge in 2005, has even considered not attending next week's count as he feels his job is done, but those close to him are attempting to persuade him to change his mind for a night where he will be thanked for his excellent service.
March has played a key role in rebuilding the club on and off the field. The Tigers made the finals this season for the first time during his tenure and are now debt free.
Speed, keen to build on March's achievements, has an impressive record. He has been the chief executive of the National Basketball League, Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council, where he had to deal with a plethora of complex integrity issues, including match-fixing, doping and racial storms.
He is the managing director of the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports, helping the likes of CA, the AFL, NRL and Australian Rugby Union deal with major issues.
O'Shannassy, who sits on a number of company boards, has also been managing director of BlackRock Investment Management (Australia), which has offices around the world.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-split-on-new-president-20130926-2ugs8.html
