Souths owner Russell Crowe breaks his silence over bombshell report that has left the footy world in shock
- South Sydney co-owner is involved in a huge move
- Star has had a stake in the Rabbitohs NRL team since 2006
Russell Crowe has described a report he wants to sell NRL club South Sydney as ‘bulls***’.
Reports emerged on Monday that the Hollywood actor is in the market to sell his 25 percent stake in the Rabbitohs, which he bought with businessman Peter Holmes à Court for $3 million in 2006.
But in a statement to Australian Associate Press, Crowe advised journalists to make the most of the Australian weather rather than worry about his business dealings.
“Just tell them they’re bulls***, and advise them to enjoy the summer sun,” Crowe said.
The Rabbitohs declined to comment publicly when contacted.
South Sydney finished the 2006 season in last place after Crowe and Holmes à Court purchased the team earlier that year by narrowly winning a vote put to the club’s more than 3,000 members at the time.
Russell Crowe (pictured with Anthony Albanese) has emphatically denied a bombshell threat that he is trying to sell his stake in the South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Gladiator star (pictured at a Souths match in 2023) currently owns 25 percent of the club
Crowe brought Hollywood glitz and glamor to the club almost immediately, famously decking out the players in Armani clothing and bringing along fellow megastars such as Tom Cruise and Chris Hemsworth to matches.
After winning the minor premiership in 1989, the club fell on extremely difficult times financially and competitively, leading to their expulsion from the NRL in 1999.
The Bunnies won reinstatement in 2002 after a lengthy court battle, but their battle continued until the change of ownership.
From the 2007 season onwards the team hit the road, culminating in winning the 2015 Grand Final and achieving a record 21st premiership win.
Another grand final followed in 2021 when the Rabbitohs lost to Penrith, and the side remained competitive until they failed to make the last eight in 2023, sliding to a disappointing 16th on the ladder last year.
It was a horror season that saw coach Jason Demetriou sacked and the team’s best player, Latrell Mitchell, punished by club bosses after his white powder scandal followed a series of injuries and on-field controversies that ruined the full-back’s year.
Crowe (pictured at a Bunnies match in 2018) played a leading role in turning the team from also-rans to premiers after taking over in 2006
But despite this, Souths remains in a good financial position as the club has made profits over the past seven years, including a $14 million profit in 2024.
Crowe’s takeover was far from certain, as he and Holmes à Court’s bid only rose by 32 votes, while 3942 members cast their votes.
“This means we have a future, we have a future and we have cash in the bank and we can start to focus on what all the factionalism and infighting is keeping us from focusing on playing football. and playing competitively,” Crowe told the club’s fans after the win.
The bombshell report isn’t the first time the star has been linked to transferring his stake in the team.
In 2012, Souths announced it would sell its then 37.5 percent stake before Crowe changed his mind.
‘There is a personal comparison here. He has a young family. It is clear that his work commitments over the past 18 months have been excessive,” Rabbitohs then chairman Nicholas Pappas said, referring to Crowe’s divorce from his then wife Danielle Spencer.