Mining magnate Nathan Tinkler is the proud owner of the Newcastle Knights after a staggering 97% of club members voted for his $100million proposal to privatise the club.
It was quite a turnabout for a club which has been community-owned for the past 23 years, but the financial security the deal will provide for the next ten years was too good to refuse.
Knights chairman Robbie Tew said the club was now united in intention and purpose and extremely well funded for the future.
Over 1100 members were present at last night's general meeting waiting for the news to be announced, and the crowd was jubilant on hearing the decision.