Chairman Bart Campbell Steps Down As Storm Close Out All Jersey Sponsorship Properties
Majority shareholder and Melbourne Storm chairman, Bart Campbell, will step down after seven years in the role.
Mr Campbell remains the Melbourne Storms largest shareholder and will continue to serve on the board, with current director and shareholder Matt Tripp, set to take over as chairman on 22 May 2020.
After guiding the Storm to become one of the most successful and respected sporting teams in the country, Mr Campbell said the time was right to step aside.
“It has been an honour to have worked with so many brilliant people and it is the people that make this great club so special.
“They are truly inspiring,” Mr Campbell said.
“I have been lucky to have been involved in something pretty special, but looking forward the role needs someone who can continue to commit the time, enthusiasm and energy needed to drive the club’s ongoing growth and development.
“I can safely say at this time of handing over, that I have complete confidence in Matt and Dave’s leadership for the future.
“I can happily take a back seat knowing the club is in a great position on and off the field.
“Our coach has two years to run, our football director has three years and we have a playing list full of state and international representatives who in conjunction with our stable of rising stars, delivered a minor premiership last year and one of the best home and away records in the history of the NRL.
“Off the field, we have just welcomed RedZed to the Storm family as our major partner and this week closed out all jersey sponsorship properties, with these companies joining our loyal list of current partners.
Mr Campbell has led Storm through its most significant growth period during his seven years in the chair, having taken ownership of the club along with Mr Tripp and prominent Victorian businessman, Gerry Ryan in 2013.
The Storm has experienced great success on and off the field under Mr Campbell’s leadership, having increased membership, commercial revenues and game day receipts while also enjoying three minor premierships and one NRL premiership in that time.
The club also bid for and secured an expansion Super Netball team, Sunshine Coast Lightning, during Mr Campbell’s time.
The success of the Lightning has been a delight, with three grand finals and two premierships in three years of competition.
Television viewership for Storm has increased from 11 million to over 22 million, membership has grown from 14,000 to closing in on 30,000 this year, whilst attendance at matches has increased to an average of over 18,500 at AAMI Park.
This has allowed the business to move from substantial losses to profitability and with it, stability.
