Quote ="tb"From what I recall, the debts owed by Broncos when their parent company liquidated in 2005 (?) were what was left after paying off half the debt the company had when the previous bearded owner walked out'"
you have heard correctly.
He didn't understand League at all. Unlike his other businesses, he did pretty much no research and just assumed that the ANZACS would roll up every week. When they didn't, he lost interest and buggered off leaving us financially weaker than when he arrived.
One thing about Mr Branson and I have met him proffessionaly, is that he doesn't take criticism in any shape or form. When he realised that flogging RL to a union/footy audience was a long term job, he bottled it.
As much as I don't agree with David Hughes stance on marketing (or non marketing if you like) he is a saint compared to the bearded wonder kid.
