East coast developer Ross Pelligra set to become new owner of Perth Glory

Property developer Ross Pelligra is set to become the new owner of embattled A-Leagues club Perth Glory, after all but inking a deal for the club overnight.

WAtoday and Nine News Perth understand advisory firm KordaMentha and the A-League’s governing body Australian Professional Leagues are set to announce Pelligra as the new owner after preconditions are met in the coming days.

The value of the deal is not yet public, but it is understood it will involve significant investment to restore the club to its former glory and reconnect it with the West Australian community.

Pelligra is expected to land in Perth in time to greet fans when the club faces off against Brisbane Roar on Saturday.

The APL has been contacted for comment.

Pelligra, the driving force behind the revival of the once-mighty Sicilian football club Catania FC, submitted a non-binding offer to the Glory’s receivers back in August.

And it is understood he was among the pool of prospective buyers approached by administrators in November after the sale to Melbourne property tycoon Robert Brij was terminated.

He is also the chair of family-run Pelligra Group, a Melbourne-based firm which has spearheaded a string of commercial developments across Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

Speculation was rife Pelligra was the frontrunner in January, after Nine News Perth revealed he and former Socceroo Mark Bresciano — who is understood to have been serving as an advisor to the property developer — had met with WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti and officials from the City of Stirling regarding a new home base.

The announcement will bring to an end the eight-month-long search for a Perth Glory buyer, which began when Perth businessman Tony Sage’s 17-year ownership concluded abruptly in July.

Sage relinquished the club after the APL slapped his company Okewood with a breach notice for failing to keep up with payments amid revelations the governing body had been bankrolling its player and staff wages for five months.

A receiver’s report later revealed it did so to the tune of $4.4 million, making it the entity’s second-largest creditor behind Okewood itself – which is said to have loaned the club $33 million.

Those close to the receivership suspected a deal may be imminent last week after the receivers took control of more of Sage’s flagship empire, including $2.7 million worth of shares that became security for the club.

Sage, who is still understood to be overseas, insisted it would have no impact on the public companies he chaired.

The club’s sale coincides with revelations Sage’s wife, Lucy, had been sacked from the club after almost two decades of employment amid the receivership process.

The APL declined to comment on the matter, but it is anticipated the majority of staff will be kept under the new ownership.

The sale is set to proceed amid an ongoing lawsuit with creditor Kakka Enterprises, led by Perth businessman Kenneth Keogh, which is battling to have Okewood liquidated on the basis it is insolvent and wants to be paid out for its 3.3 per cent stake in the club.

Sage has repeatedly denied claims the club is insolvent.

MPH insolvency specialist Dan Butler, who is representing Kakka, told this masthead last week the chain of events had been “somewhat unorthodox”, but said he had no doubt a logical explanation would come to light in due course.

Read more

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Sage shocked as Perth Glory receivers grab more of his empire

Deal to sell Perth Glory to Primeland tycoon terminated

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Talking points

Melbourne-based property developer Ross Pelligra is set to become the new owner of Perth Glory.

The announcement is expected to be made in the coming days after preconditions are met.

Receivers KordaMentha have been on the hunt for a new owner since July after businessman Tony Sage  relinquished the license.