Brisbane’s largest single-owner share holder plans after…..
Murphy now owns 19 per cent of Broncos shares after buying 8,088,352 of printing guru Tony Scanlon’s shares late last month for $1.77 million.
In six months, Murphy has spent more than $4 million investing in Brisbane Broncos Ltd as he also bought John Geaney’s shares last year.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Mail, the usually private Murphy reveals he dreams of the club being fan-owned.
Murphy, who owns Oxmar Properties, has a track record of backing winners.
The self-made man has played a major role in taking Logan’s Alex Leapai to a heavyweight title shot against Wladimir Klitschko.
Murphy is Leapai’s major sponsor and has helped fund his title push for the past six years.
He is now helping the Broncos attempt to exceed their already lofty expectations.
Murphy said he had no desire to influence officials or strategy but does envision a club owned by members.
He simply loves the Broncos, a passion solidified when he witnessed how caring they were to injured star Jharal Yow Yeh.
“I love their moral and ethic and it fits my moral and ethic and that’s why I have a more serious involvement,” he said.
“I’m not looking for any influence on anybody or to be put myself in a certain position.
“Someone said to me recently, ‘Do you want to be like Nathan Tinkler?’
“This is not for that purpose.
“I love the Broncos and I want to be part of them and I want them to be part of me.
“I don’t need to own Broncos shares. I need my family, friends and the lord most of all.
“This is not about power.
“I won’t be sticking my nose in.”
Murphy however does hope News Corp, publishers of The Sunday Mail, sell their 68.87 per cent shareholding.
“It would be lovely that eventually the club was not a public company,” he said.
“I think that is a good idea … to eventually be a club with members as owners.
“News Corp sold out of the Melbourne Storm and the Cowboys and maybe they will want to move out of the Broncos.
“I love being associated with the Broncos, it is a big buzz.
“Say all the members of the club partly owned the Broncos, it would give them a bigger buzz in life too.
“Not that I go around spruiking I own 19 per cent of the Broncos.
“If someone owned 0.05 per cent of the Broncos I think it would give them a real buzz.
“It is an idea that has good merit.”
Murphy’s share-buying also marks the end of the Thoroughbreds having any significant stake in the club.
Scanlon’s 11.73 per cent of voting power was the last major shareholding of a Thoroughbreds member after Murphy bought Geaney’s shares earlier last year and Craig Davison sold his shares several years ago.
The Thoroughbreds were a collection of around 20 highly successful businessmen who were passionate about the Broncos and helped players transition to post-football careers.
