Ronnie’s pay topped £500,000

THE former boss of recently-rescued retailer JJB Sports received a pay haul of more £500,000 in the financial year to January 25, it emerged today.

But Chris Ronnie, who left his role with the ailing Wigan-based firm, in March did not receive a pay off, the company’s annual report reveals.

The former squash player was suspended in January this year and left the business in March. JJB said he had been sacked for gross misconduct but Mr Ronnie claimed to have resigned.

He left JJB after an extraordinary sequence of events relating to his loss of control of a 26% stake in the company, which ended up with the administrators of failed Icelandic bank Kaupthing.

The annual report shows that his package last year was made up of a basic salary of £400,000, £122,000 in taxable benefits and £40,000 in pension contributions.

JJB’s short-term survival was secured last month when landlords of hundreds of closed stores agreed a Company Voluntary Arrangement deal with the retailer, which avoided administration.

Former chairman Dave Whelan also bought the company’s successful leisure business for more than £80m, which helped JJB pay down some of its debt.