Newcastle Jets finally saved as new owners confirmed

The Newcastle Jets will live to fight another day after a deal was finally completed to sell the battling A-Leagues club to new owners.

Melbourne-based group Maverick Sports Partners were announced as the Jets’ new owners on Tuesday.

Newcastle had been in limbo and propped up by rival clubs after previous owner Martin Lee was stripped of the licence in January 2021.

Amid other potential buyers walking away, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) had refused to guarantee Newcastle’s survival if new owners couldn’t be found.

The new ownership group is headed by director Maurice Bisetto, who was involved in the establishment of expansion club Western United.

“We believe in this club, the A-Leagues and its players and we’re determined to build success for the Jets and this region,” Bisetto said in a statement.

“We have been impressed by the strength of football here in this region.

“We know there is a strong historical fanbase and a strong participation base here and we want to bring all of these people together for our men’s and women’s games.

“We see this as the beginning of a new era for the Newcastle Jets and look forward to building a truly great club with the support of this community.”

The change of ownership and licence approval is subject to successful completion of the necessary approval and regulatory processes.

Bisetto said the club was committed to building a stronger connection with the Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Northern NSW community.

He urged the region to throw its support behind the Jets, who will home in on developing local talent, which has been a strength of nearby rivals Central Coast.

“In terms of talent, we have been impressed with the local players that are coming through the development systems throughout Northern NSW and through the Jets Academy,” Bisetto said.

“As we now take control, you’ll see an even stronger focus on bringing through local talent and investing in trying to develop them into top A-League Men’s and Women’s players.

“We will also make sure our elite coaching and football structures support this talent development.”

Chief executive Shane Mattiske welcomed the new ownership and hailed the previous consortium’s willingness to prop up the Jets.

“Over the last three years, we have built a strong foundation for the future of this football club,” he said.

“And it is exciting to be beginning a new era with incoming owners who believe in the opportunity that exists with this club, with this community and with football as a whole.”