Russell Crowe's $10 Million Shock Offer: Why He Wouldn't Sell His NRL Stake

The $10 Million Question: Has Russell Crowe Finally Had Enough of the Souths?

In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe has reportedly refused an offer from a "business heavyweight" to buy his 25% stake in the South Sydney Rabbitohs for a cool $10 million. But here's the twist - sources close to the club claim that this isn't the first time Crowe has been shopping around for a buyer.

Back in January, whispers began circulating that Crowe was trying to sell his share of the club, sparking a frenzy among fans and media outlets alike. The actor himself vehemently denied the rumors at the time, branding them "bulls*" and telling reporters to "enjoy the summer sun" while they were at it.

However, in a recent article published on The Scholarly Note, it's been revealed that Crowe may be having second thoughts about sticking with the struggling Souths. According to insiders, he's now demanding $20 million for his share of the club - a whopping 100% increase on the initial offer.

So what's behind this dramatic U-turn? Sources close to the club suggest that Crowe is finally tired of throwing good money after bad into the flailing franchise. With the team currently sitting at the bottom of the ladder, it's hard to blame him.

Under the leadership of coach Wayne Bennett, who returned to the club in 2022, Souths have been a disaster this season. With just six wins from 20 games and a nine-match losing streak, fans are starting to lose faith in the team's ability to turn things around.

But what really has people talking is the shocking injury crisis that has hit the club. An astonishing 13 of the team's top players are currently sidelined, including some big-name stars who were expected to play a key role in their comeback bid.

As one insider put it, "The writing was on the wall for Russell Crowe when Wayne Bennett came back on board. The team's performance has been abysmal, and it's clear that something needs to change - and fast."

When Crowe first bought his 25% stake in the Souths back in 2006, he was hailed as a savior of the struggling club. At the time, he partnered with businessman Peter Holmes à Court to bring some much-needed investment into the franchise.

But since then, it's been a rollercoaster ride for Crowe and his co-shareholders, including James Packer and technology entrepreneur Mike Cannon-Brookes. While they've had their share of successes - including ending a 43-year premiership drought in 2014 - it seems that this season may be the final straw.

As one fan put it, "We love Russell Crowe as a figurehead for our club, but at the end of the day, he's also got to think about his bank balance. If he's getting offers for $20 million, I wouldn't blame him for taking them up on it."

So what does the future hold for the Souths? Will they be able to turn things around and make a comeback in time to avoid the wooden spoon - a fate that would be unprecedented under Bennett's leadership?

One thing's for sure: with Crowe's stake potentially up for grabs, the drama is far from over at Redfern Oval. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.

The Rabbitohs' Rocky Road to Redemption

Since Russell Crowe first invested in the South Sydney Rabbitohs back in 2006, the club has been on a wild ride of ups and downs. After being booted from the NRL in 1999 due to financial woes, the team was given a new lease on life when Crowe and Holmes à Court came aboard.

With their help, the Rabbitohs eventually ended a 43-year wait for a premiership in 2014 - a momentous occasion that will always be remembered as one of the greatest moments in club history.

But despite their success on the field, things have taken a turn for the worse this season. With just six wins from 20 games and a nine-match losing streak, fans are starting to lose faith in the team's ability to turn things around.

So what went wrong? Sources close to the club suggest that a combination of factors has led to their current predicament - including injuries, poor decision-making, and a lack of cohesion among the playing squad.

"It's like they've forgotten how to win," said one insider. "The team needs to regroup and refocus if they want to make any kind of comeback this season."

As for Crowe, it remains to be seen whether he'll stick with the Souths or cash in on his $20 million offer. Either way, one thing's for sure - the drama is far from over at Redfern Oval.

Timeline: Russell Crowe's Rollercoaster Ride with the Souths

• 2006: Crowe partners with Peter Holmes à Court to buy a 25% stake in the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
• 2012: ABC News reports that Crowe has indicated he wants to sell his share of the club, sparking rumors and speculation among fans and media outlets.
• 2014: The Rabbitohs end a 43-year wait for a premiership under the leadership of coach Michael Maguire.
• January 2023: Rumors begin circulating that Crowe is trying to sell his share of the club for $10 million, which he later denies as "bulls*".
• Present day: Crowe reportedly refuses an offer from a business heavyweight to buy his stake in the Souths for $10 million, instead demanding $20 million.