Russell Crowe Fires Rugby Team Chairman  5/26/08

Russell Crowe is making sporting headlines in Australia after firing the chairman of his South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby team.

Crowe and business partner Peter Holmes A Court took over the team in 2006 but their relationship has cooled following a string of on and off-field controversies. And, with the Rabbitohs last in Australia's National Rugby League, Crowe felt it was time for a change at the top and dumped his co-owner after a fiery board meeting on Monday (26May08).

Sydney lawyer Nick Pappas, who handed over the controlling share of the team to Crowe and Holmes A Court in 2006, will replace the outgoing chairman, according to the Sydney Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Pappas has spent recent weeks serving as a go-between for both owners. The shake up comes a week after Holmes A Court warned investors he could not guarantee the club's survival following a AUS$4.2 million loss last year (07).

Of his decision to fire Holmes A Court, Crowe tells the publication, "It is the sensible thing to do." In a statement, the Oscar winner added, "The reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Today the board applauded Peter's achievements in lifting the club and collectively we thanked him for his gargantuan effort over the past two years."