Latest news with #KAMMelbourne
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Western United in turmoil, with players allegedly owed wages and superannuation
Western United is facing a player revolt, with the club having been slapped with breach notices from most of the its men's and women's players for unpaid wages and superannuation. Professional Footballers Australia served United with the breach notices on Tuesday, giving the club two weeks to pay the players the money that they are allegedly owed. If the money isn't paid on time, players will be entitled to leave to the club, regardless of their contract status. It's understood United – whose men's team meet Melbourne City in a semi-final second-leg clash on Saturday night at AAMI Park – may also face sanctions should the money not be paid. The failure to pay wages and superannuation has occurred despite United announcing earlier this month that KAM Melbourne, a subsidiary of American organisation KAM Sports, had bought a controlling stake in the financially embattled club and its parent company, Western Melbourne Group. It's understood that KAM Melbourne committed to paying about $100 million for the majority ownership stake. “We’ve done it. We can do itâ€� 🗣ï¸� The boss is ready for Saturday night 😤 — Western United FC (@wufcofficial) May 21, 2025 However, the sale remains subject to the 'successful completion' of the 'necessary approval processes' by Wyndham City and the APL, which runs the A-League, and 'regulatory processes' by Football Australia. The PFA is also conducting its own due diligence process on KAM Melbourne to ensure that the best interests of the players, and the integrity of the A-League men's and women's competitions, are upheld. PFA chief executive officer Beau Busch slammed United's conduct. 'The ongoing failure of Western United to meet its contractual obligations to players, including unpaid wages and superannuation, is unacceptable,' Busch said. 'The professionalism and commitment of the players and staff in extremely difficult circumstances has been remarkable. 'We are actively engaging with both the club and the APL to ensure the matter is resolved swiftly, and the players will continue to be supported with the full resources of the PFA.' In a club statement released on Wednesday night, United said: 'The club has been in constant communication with the players and is working closely with the PFA and the APL to address these matters urgently. 'Everyone at the club is fully focused on our semi-final second leg against Melbourne City on Saturday, and we look forward to seeing our supporters and Australian football fans in attendance for a fantastic occasion.'
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Aussie sporting team receives record $100million investment to secure its future - but is for the right reasons?
Western United have been rescued by billionaire US property tycoons Maciek and Mikhail Kaminski, who have agreed to invest $100million into the embattled A-League club. The historic deal - said to be the richest deal in Australian sporting history - was announced on Friday. KAM Sports, via its subsidiary KAM Melbourne, has paid a figure between $70million and $100million for a controlling stake in Western United and its parent company Western Melbourne Group (WMG). As part of the sale, KAM Melbourne will help achieve WMG's ambition to build a 15,000-seat stadium at United's base in the western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit. But the deal isn't all about football - land development at Tarneit was crucial in drawing the father-son Kaminski duo into their Australian investment. The significant investment couldn't have come at a better time for Western United - the playing group recently saw their monthly pay delayed by a week and additional financial dramas saw FIFA impose a lengthy transfer ban on the club. According to News Corp, in March the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) was looking to wind up WMG Football Club and WMG Holdings Co – the two companies underpinning Western United. But thanks to the significant money injection from KAM Melbourne, Western United now appear to have a rosy future. 'After a 12-month due diligence process and multiple visits to Melbourne, we are delighted to inject our capital, expertise and passion into Western Melbourne Group and its related entities,' KAM Melbourne chairman Maciek Kaminski said. 'This represents our first investment down under, and the combination of integrating sport and real estate to make a meaningful impact in the local community in the west attracted us to this opportunity. 'We aim to bring financial stability and sustainability to the club, and ensuring that it can become one of Australia's leading professional sporting organisations and strong corporate partner for the league. 'This is a project that will deliver lifetime benefits and produce our future Socceroos and Matildas from Melbourne's western suburbs, and we are fully committed to doing just that.' A-League boss Stephen Conroy added: 'The pending sale of Western United to KAM Melbourne marks an exciting new chapter for the club, the community and Australian football more broadly. 'With KAM Melbourne's demonstrated commitment to growing the game and commitment to building the stadium, this partnership brings fresh energy and enormous potential for success on and off the field.' On the field this season, John Aloisi's men are comfortably nestled in the top six ahead of the A-League finals series. They host league champions Auckland FC on Saturday night at Ironbark Fields from 6pm knowing three points could see them finish as high as second.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Embattled A-League club's $70m lifeline
Western United's future has been secured following a majority takeover of the A-League club by an American real estate and sports company. KAM Sports, via its subsidiary KAM Melbourne, has paid a figure between $70m and $100m for a controlling stake in United and its financially embattled parent company Western Melbourne Group (WMG). As part of the sale, KAM Melbourne has committed to fulfilling WMG's ambition to build a 15,000-seat stadium at United's base in the western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit. KAM Melbourne will also pay the necessary fee to have United's FIFA registration ban – which was slapped on the club reportedly over a matter involving former United striker Aleksandar Prijovic – lifted. 'After a 12-month due diligence process and multiple visits to Melbourne, we are delighted to inject our capital, expertise and passion into Western Melbourne Group and its related entities,' KAM Melbourne chairman Maciek Kaminski said. 'This represents our first investment Down Under, and the combination of integrating sport and real estate to make a meaningful impact in the local community in the west attracted us to this opportunity. 'The scale and scope of the WMG vision aligns very well to our own skill sets where we can add real value. 'The community knows that this is a project that will deliver lifetime benefits and produce our future Socceroos and Matildas from Melbourne's western suburbs, and we are fully committed to doing just that.' A second A-League title, as early as this season, to go with the championship United won in 2022 is also a target for Kaminski. 'Given our sporting ambitions, we look forward to building on the success of the club and supporting the team in its charge towards a second A-League men's title this season,' he said. 'More importantly, we aim to bring financial stability and sustainability to the club and ensuring that it can become one of Australia's leading professional sporting organisations and strong corporate partner for the league. 'The prospect of being the first sports team to fully own their stadium is exciting and we look forward to accelerating the development of this and seeing it filled with local community and supporters.' WMG chairman Jason Sourasis said KAM Melbourne's investment would 'ensure the delivery of significant social and economic benefits for the city of Wyndham and the state of Victoria'. 'It was important to partner with a group that aligned with our values and believed in the vision,' he said. A-League boss Stephen Conroy said: 'The pending sale of Western United to KAM Melbourne marks an exciting new chapter for the club, the community and Australian football more broadly. 'With KAM Melbourne's demonstrated commitment to growing the game and commitment to building the stadium, this partnership brings fresh energy and enormous potential for success on and off the field.'
Perth Now
02-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Billionaires splash $100m on battling Aussie club
Western United's future has been secured following a majority takeover of the A-League club by an American real estate and sports company. KAM Sports, via its subsidiary KAM Melbourne, has paid a figure between $70m and $100m for a controlling stake in United and its financially embattled parent company Western Melbourne Group (WMG). KAM Sports is led by the father-son Kaminski duo, billionaire Polish/American US property tycoons worth more than $1 billion who were in negotiations to buy English Premier League club Everton back in 2021 and Beligum football club KV Kortrijk in 2023. As part of the sale, KAM Melbourne has committed to fulfilling WMG's ambition to build a 15,000-seat stadium at United's base in the western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit. KAM Melbourne will also pay the necessary fee to have United's FIFA registration ban – which was slapped on the club reportedly over a matter involving former United striker Aleksandar Prijovic – lifted. 'After a 12-month due diligence process and multiple visits to Melbourne, we are delighted to inject our capital, expertise and passion into Western Melbourne Group and its related entities,' KAM Melbourne chairman Maciek Kaminski said. 'This represents our first investment Down Under, and the combination of integrating sport and real estate to make a meaningful impact in the local community in the west attracted us to this opportunity. 'The scale and scope of the WMG vision aligns very well to our own skill sets where we can add real value. An artist's impression of the proposed 15,000 seat stadium for Western United. Image supplied: Wyndham City Council Credit: News Corp Australia 'The community knows that this is a project that will deliver lifetime benefits and produce our future Socceroos and Matildas from Melbourne's western suburbs, and we are fully committed to doing just that.' A second A-League title, as early as this season, to go with the championship United won in 2022 is also a target for Kaminski. 'Given our sporting ambitions, we look forward to building on the success of the club and supporting the team in its charge towards a second A-League men's title this season,' he said. 'More importantly, we aim to bring financial stability and sustainability to the club and ensuring that it can become one of Australia's leading professional sporting organisations and strong corporate partner for the league. 'The prospect of being the first sports team to fully own their stadium is exciting and we look forward to accelerating the development of this and seeing it filled with local community and supporters.' Western Melbourne Group chairman Jason Sourasis has hailed KAM Melbourne; s investment in Western United. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia WMG chairman Jason Sourasis said KAM Melbourne's investment would 'ensure the delivery of significant social and economic benefits for the city of Wyndham and the state of Victoria'. 'It was important to partner with a group that aligned with our values and believed in the vision,' he said. A-League boss Stephen Conroy said: 'The pending sale of Western United to KAM Melbourne marks an exciting new chapter for the club, the community and Australian football more broadly. 'With KAM Melbourne's demonstrated commitment to growing the game and commitment to building the stadium, this partnership brings fresh energy and enormous potential for success on and off the field.'
Perth Now
02-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Embattled A-League club's $70m lifeline
Western United's future has been secured following a majority takeover of the A-League club by an American real estate and sports company. KAM Sports, via its subsidiary KAM Melbourne, has paid a figure between $70m and $100m for a controlling stake in United and its financially embattled parent company Western Melbourne Group (WMG). As part of the sale, KAM Melbourne has committed to fulfilling WMG's ambition to build a 15,000-seat stadium at United's base in the western Melbourne suburb of Tarneit. KAM Melbourne will also pay the necessary fee to have United's FIFA registration ban – which was slapped on the club reportedly over a matter involving former United striker Aleksandar Prijovic – lifted. 'After a 12-month due diligence process and multiple visits to Melbourne, we are delighted to inject our capital, expertise and passion into Western Melbourne Group and its related entities,' KAM Melbourne chairman Maciek Kaminski said. 'This represents our first investment Down Under, and the combination of integrating sport and real estate to make a meaningful impact in the local community in the west attracted us to this opportunity. 'The scale and scope of the WMG vision aligns very well to our own skill sets where we can add real value. 'The community knows that this is a project that will deliver lifetime benefits and produce our future Socceroos and Matildas from Melbourne's western suburbs, and we are fully committed to doing just that.' A second A-League title, as early as this season, to go with the championship United won in 2022 is also a target for Kaminski. 'Given our sporting ambitions, we look forward to building on the success of the club and supporting the team in its charge towards a second A-League men's title this season,' he said. 'More importantly, we aim to bring financial stability and sustainability to the club and ensuring that it can become one of Australia's leading professional sporting organisations and strong corporate partner for the league. 'The prospect of being the first sports team to fully own their stadium is exciting and we look forward to accelerating the development of this and seeing it filled with local community and supporters.' Western Melbourne Group chairman Jason Sourasis has hailed KAM Melbourne; s investment in Western United. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia WMG chairman Jason Sourasis said KAM Melbourne's investment would 'ensure the delivery of significant social and economic benefits for the city of Wyndham and the state of Victoria'. 'It was important to partner with a group that aligned with our values and believed in the vision,' he said. A-League boss Stephen Conroy said: 'The pending sale of Western United to KAM Melbourne marks an exciting new chapter for the club, the community and Australian football more broadly. 'With KAM Melbourne's demonstrated commitment to growing the game and commitment to building the stadium, this partnership brings fresh energy and enormous potential for success on and off the field.'
