- Dr Jerry Schwartz is a hotel mogul and businessman
- Previously bid for a stake in the Rabbitohs in 2006
- Russell Crowe is reportedly keen to sell his stake
An Aussie worth a reported $667million after making his fortune as a cosmetic surgeon and hotelier is keen on purchasing Russell Crowe’s stake in the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Dr Jerry Schwartz previously bid for the NRL club in 2006, but lost out to Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes à Court, who at the time purchased 75 per cent of the Bunnies for $3million.
Crowe has previously shot down reports he’s open to selling his long-term stake if the price is right, but Schwartz is still ready to pounce.
‘I tendered against Russell Crowe and (Peter) Holmes à Court for the club, but I was outbid,’ Schwartz told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘I like a full plate, but I couldn’t afford it at the time.
‘As for the future, I have a simple philosophy in business: if the price is right, I might be interested. It could (also) align nicely with my Sydney Brewery brand.’
An Aussie worth a reported $667million after making his fortune as a cosmetic surgeon and hotelier is keen on purchasing Russell Crowe’s stake in the Rabbitohs
Dr Jerry Schwartz (pictured left) previously bid for the NRL club in 2006, but lost out to Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes à Court
According to previous media reports, Crowe (pictured with Anthony Albanese) isn’t prepared to sell his stake at South Sydney for less than $20million
The hotel mogul owns the Fairmont Resort – the training base of the Blues’ State of Origin team in the NSW Blue Mountains – as well as the likes of Rydges Central Sydney, Hotel Ibis King Street Wharf, Mercure Sydney and the Sofitel in Darling Harbour.
Schwartz was suspended from practising medicine in 2021 following a number of serious allegations, namely concerns by the NSW Medical Council around the doctor’s administration of sedation, clinical judgment, record-keeping and Medicare billing for patients.
The multi-millionaire remains adamant he ‘did nothing wrong’ and will ‘continue to advocate for justice and fairness’ after appealing the decision.
Meanwhile, according to previous media reports, Crowe isn’t prepared to sell his stake at South Sydney for less than $20million.
In January, a fired-up Crowe branded the reports ‘bulls**t’ and told reporters to ‘enjoy the summer sun’ rather than speculate.
Taking to X at the time, Crowe added: ‘Re: SSFC [South Sydney Football Club]. What would January in Australia be without desperate legacy media conspiracy theories?
‘Enjoy the summer sun while it’s there and ignore the trolls. WB [coach Wayne Bennett] is back on board. A fresh energy about the place. An arrowhead on our intentions.’
It has been a testing season for the Rabbitohs, who are battling to avoid the wooden spoon.
A horrific injury toll hasn’t helped, but it has largely been a campaign to forget for the ‘Pride of the League’.
On Saturday, Bennett’s men tackle Parramatta at Allianz Stadium – a venue the Rabbitohs want to make their permanent home ground.
Standing in their way are the Sydney Roosters, who have no plans to accommodate their bitter rivals.
