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Gorden Tallis has followed in the footsteps of fellow rugby league legend Matty Johns and has also purchased a minority stake in the Gold Coast Titans.
It was revealed on Sunday that Johns had purchased a minority stake in the footy club, with the Titans officially unveiling on Monday that a new consortium of buyers had joined the Frizelle family, in one of the biggest investments in the history of the NRL.
'The Gold Coast Titans are entering an exciting new era, strengthening the club and delivering on its strategic ambitions, by welcoming a diverse consortium of new equity partners who are leading specialists across rugby league, media, business and entertainment,' a statement from the club read.
Brett and Rebecca Frizelle are will remain as the club's major shareholders after they bought out the Kelly family back in July.
But now, former Queensland State of Origin second-row, Tallis, who played 160 games for the Brisbane Broncos, is set to become one of 10 new investors in the footy club, alongside his wife Jemma Elder. The Townsville-born star will combine his commitments as the Kangaroos assistant coach, with his new role at the Titans.
'It's the first time, as far as I'm aware, that premiership-winning players have taken ownership in an NRL club,' the NRL 360 pundit said , noting he and Johns have both won premierships during their glittering careers.
Gorden Tallis and his partner Jemma Elder have followed Matty Johns and his wife Trish and have joined a consortium of investors who have bought a minority stake in the Gold Coast Titans
It was revealed that ex-Newcastle Knights star Johns (pictured with his wife Trish) was surprisingly set to buy into the Queensland club on Sunday
'The Frizelle family have created a historic opportunity for the game.
'From a footy-mad kid in Townsville to living the game's greatest moments - I owe this game everything. And now, as investors and owners, I plan to bring that same passion to help shape the game's future in this region and provide opportunities for the next generation of aspiring participants - on and off the field.'
His partner, Elder has worked in business previously, having taken up executive roles for companies, including aeromedical care organisation LifeFlight Australia and the Australian Road Safety Foundation.
'We believe in the Titans' vision. Together with the board, executive, and consortium, we're committed to building a club that remains a source of pride for our players, members, fans, and partners,' Tallis and Elder said.
Several other big names in Australia are joining the consortium of investors, including investigative journalist Hedley Thomas and his wife Ruth Mathewson, who has also worked as a journalist and a nurse.
Billy and Jackie Cross, the directors of Queensland's Cross Promotions festival planning enterprise, have also joined, along with entrepreneurs Michael and Jodie Atkins .
Johns, a former New South Wales star, explained that the chance to take part-ownership in an NRL club was a 'surreal' opportunity.
'This season marks fifty years since I first pulled on a pair of football boots as a five-year-old, at home in Cessnock. Rugby league is, and always has been, more than a sport for the Johns family, and to be given a chance to enter into ownership is surreal to say the least,' Johns explained.
The news was officially revealed on Monday, with the consortium joining up with current majority shareholder Rebecca Frizelle (left)
The new owners are hoping that they can take the Titans NRL and NRLW teams to the top of their respective leagues
Tallis will now combine his obligations as the Kangaroos head coach with his new duties as a part-owner at the Titans
'We're investing in the Titans because we believe in the club's potential and believe that the business acumen and professionalism of the Frizelle family will soon see that potential realised.
'But it's not just an investment into the Titans, it's an investment into rugby league, a sport which has entered a golden period, and will continue its boom into the future.'
The club itself has gone through several big transitions in recent years, with perhaps one of the most notable changes coming at the back-end of the 2025 season, when senior coach Des Hasler was sacked after the team slumped to 16th in the ladder.
It is the fourth consecutive time the club has finished inside the bottom four in the NRL.
The parties are understood to have been in secret talks over the proposed deal in the past few weeks, but the details of the new commercial arrangement are yet to be unveiled formally.
Their ambition is to push the Titans to become a powerhouse across both the NRL and NRLW, with the majority of stakeholders hoping that broadcasters Johns and Tallis can bring their experience and knowledge of the game to help push the club into finals contention.
'We're creating an enduring legacy for the Gold Coast,' the Frizelles said.
'We have come full circle - it was through the encouragement and support of the Johns, Tallis, Cross and Thomas families that we first became involved in the club many years ago.
The club is now facing the task of climbing back up the league, but Johns and his wife, Trish, see the investment as a long-term plan
'This opportunity has united a remarkable group of experienced leaders who share our passion for rugby league, the Titans and our commitment to this region.
'Their collective expertise and financial investment will strengthen every dimension of our club - from high performance football, culture, stakeholder and fan engagement to commercial excellence.
'Our family's dedication to the Titans has never been stronger, and this consortium enables us to harness the exceptional capabilities and expertise of partners who believe wholeheartedly in the club's potential and have been prepared to invest financially.
'It's an inspiring alignment of values, vision, proven success and most importantly, passion.'
