Lee Hagipantelis has addressed his exit from the Wests Tigers, with the now-former chairman slamming the club over the 'deceitful' handling of the board's sudden demise.
In a bombshell development on Tuesday afternoon, the entire board and Hagipantelis were ousted from their positions at Concord, while chief executive Justin Pascoe handed in his resignation and will depart.
Barry O'Farrell and Shane Richardson will take over the club on an interim basis, with the former Rabbitohs boss stepping into the CEO role after some time away from the NRL limelight.
Hagipantelis and his company, Brydens Lawyers, are set to remain as the Tigers' major sponsor next season, before their contract expires at the conclusion of 2024.
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Lee Hagipantelis addresses 'deceitful' Wests Tigers exit
Speaking on SEN Radio following his abrupt departure, Hagipantelis explained the blindsiding nature of his dismissal and the review conducted into the board's shortcomings in recent years.
“They rang to let me know that the shareholders – Wests Magpies, Balmain Tigers and Holman Barnes Group – had accepted the recommendations of the review, which included the dismissal of the entire board," he said.
“You’ve got to consider the quality of the people involved. I was at the Balmain Christmas party dinner on Saturday night and received numerous assurances of support… that lasted 48 hours.
"This review has never been shown to us, we haven’t seen the report, we haven’t seen the recommendations, we were told that we would be given the report and an opportunity to respond to it.
"The outcome of the shareholders meeting was leaked - given these people, none of this is a surprise – so they hit the panic stations yesterday… forcing an outcome much earlier than expected.
"I share a board with these people. Behind the scenes, they are scurrying in the shadows to plan the demise of the board. How is that not a breach? Why would they not come forward?
"It boggles belief and it is a world with which I am not familiar."
Hagipantelis also revealed the leaks that prompted the swift movement on Tuesday, with senior reporters Brent Read and Michael Chammas both learning of the overhaul at the same time as the axed chairman.
Lee Hagipantelis discusses 'dysfunctional' future of Wests Tigers
While he holds a desire to continue supporting the club as both a spectator and major sponsor, Hagipantelis stopped short of endorsing the changes at board and front-office level, admitting there are still issues plaguing the club.
“I’ll state the blatantly obvious – the divisions which exist between Balmain and Wests Magpies, they continue to this day and there are issues all the time," he said.
"There are challenges that continue, but they have largely been overcome… the coaching structure is as settled as it has been in four years and the roster is the best roster that I’ve seen.
“I have one year left on my contract [as sponsor] and I will honour that… but I know they were on the phone yesterday talking to alternate sponsors. I could not be more disappointed with the misconduct and deceit.
"The report makes for 47 recommendations and don’t forget, this is simply a report that expresses the opinions of two gentlemen. I don’t know why it’s being received as gospel and their opinion has to be obeyed without challenge.
"Why has it been adopted in full and executed? As for how it plays out, I have no idea whatsoever. It’s a wonderful organisation – unfortunately, it’s largely managed by a dysfunctional board from within and without."
Hagipantelis thanked the now-former CEO in Pascoe for his work at the Tigers, while also backing new head coach Benji Marshall to help turn things around from an on-field perspective.
Who is the new Wests Tigers chairman?
In the wake of Hagipantelis' departure, Barry O'Farrell has been installed as the new chairman on an interim basis.
The former NSW Premier has a long affiliation with the Tigers and has previous experience with the club as well as Racing Australia and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust.
Who is the new Wests Tigers CEO?
Shane Richardson will step into the position and replace Pascoe on an interim basis.
The former Rabbitohs boss has decades of experience in rugby league and has most recently been involved in the Brisbane Firehawks expansion bid.
