RFL reveals holes in ABC’s bid
THE Rugby Football League has turned down a second “unacceptable” offer from a consortium vying for control of the Bradford Bulls.
The ABC Consortium has been told that it must submit an offer free of conditions for its bid to be successful.
Blake Solly, the RFL’s director of standards and licensing, said: “Whilst we are encouraged by the continued interest in purchasing Bradford Bulls, it is disappointing that the ABC Consortium are still unable to submit an unconditional offer.
“We have been consistent and clear in that our position is we are unable to consider any offer which comes with strings attached.
“The position with Bradford Bulls is identical to that faced by Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, who were taken out of administration in 2007 and 2011, respectively, by new owners without any guarantee as to which competition they would be playing in.”
Mr Solly said all interested parties have been told that the RFL is only interested in receiving offers for the club which are “free from any condition pertaining to competition membership or the re-acquisition of Odsal Stadium.”
It is understood that both bids from the ABC Consortium, which is made up of a number of Bradford businessmen, has contained conditions linked to the club keeping its license to compete in Super League.
Mr Solly added: “The ABC Consortium have also been informed that any unconditional offer would also have to be accompanied by a detailed business plan, the identity of all material shareholders and proposed directors and the appropriate proof that the required levels of funding are in place.
“Unfortunately the ABC Consortium have been unable to supply any of the above information, leaving the RFL with no option but to deem the offer unacceptable.”
He said the RFL would continue discussions with the club’s administrator Brendan Guilfoyle about the RFL covering August’s wages for staff at Bradford Bulls.
