1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:15,187 Speaker 2: Three former All Whites have joined the ownership group of 4 00:00:15,227 --> 00:00:18,947 Speaker 2: New a League football club Auckland FC. Winston Reed, Noah 5 00:00:19,027 --> 00:00:22,107 Speaker 2: Hickey and Tim Brown have joined former All Black Ali 6 00:00:22,147 --> 00:00:26,147 Speaker 2: Williams and entrepreneur Anna Mowbray in investing into the Auckland 7 00:00:26,187 --> 00:00:29,667 Speaker 2: f C ownership group. The club remains majority owned though 8 00:00:29,707 --> 00:00:33,707 Speaker 2: by American businessman Bill Foley. Noahickey, one of those three, 9 00:00:33,787 --> 00:00:37,227 Speaker 2: played professional football for a decade, including stints with Auckland's 10 00:00:37,267 --> 00:00:40,667 Speaker 2: earlier editions of professional clubs, The Kings and the Knights. 11 00:00:40,987 --> 00:00:44,187 Speaker 2: He also had time playing in Finland, thirty three caps 12 00:00:44,187 --> 00:00:46,907 Speaker 2: for New Zealand between nineteen ninety seven and two thousand 13 00:00:46,947 --> 00:00:49,707 Speaker 2: and seven, including all three matches at the two thousand 14 00:00:49,747 --> 00:00:54,187 Speaker 2: and three Confederations Cup. Posters playing career, Noahicky's been involved 15 00:00:54,227 --> 00:00:58,987 Speaker 2: in all sorts of things, including mentorship, philanthropy, executive leadership 16 00:00:59,027 --> 00:01:02,987 Speaker 2: and investing. He's been involved in successful ventures like pushpay 17 00:01:03,547 --> 00:01:07,227 Speaker 2: and co founded fashion brand as You Were. He's currently 18 00:01:07,347 --> 00:01:11,827 Speaker 2: CEO of fleet maintenance software company Whip Around. He also 19 00:01:12,187 --> 00:01:14,547 Speaker 2: had eight years on the board of Wellington Phoenix. No Hick, 20 00:01:14,547 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 2: he's with us from where he's now based in San Diego. Man, 21 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:20,227 Speaker 2: I got tired even reading that. Noah, I'm surprised you've 22 00:01:20,267 --> 00:01:24,187 Speaker 2: got time for something else. How are you, mate? 23 00:01:24,307 --> 00:01:25,947 Speaker 3: Everyone needs passion projects right? 24 00:01:26,387 --> 00:01:26,827 Speaker 2: Oh good? 25 00:01:26,867 --> 00:01:28,627 Speaker 3: Thank you, Pioney. Great to hear your voice. 26 00:01:28,667 --> 00:01:30,507 Speaker 2: Great to hear yours as well. Mate. Tell us about 27 00:01:30,507 --> 00:01:33,827 Speaker 2: the discussions which have led to your investment into Auckland FC. 28 00:01:35,587 --> 00:01:38,187 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, you know, it's been as far back as 29 00:01:38,307 --> 00:01:42,067 Speaker 3: times when you really kicked in and were became the 30 00:01:42,067 --> 00:01:44,707 Speaker 3: prominent figure in New Zealand football as well with the 31 00:01:44,707 --> 00:01:48,427 Speaker 3: Wellington Phoenix when that moved down to Wellington and Lloyd 32 00:01:48,467 --> 00:01:51,947 Speaker 3: Morrison with a vision and Rob Morrison, who I think 33 00:01:51,987 --> 00:01:54,307 Speaker 3: has been the most influential person in New Zealand football. 34 00:01:54,307 --> 00:01:58,947 Speaker 3: But I'll get onto that doing what they did. And look, 35 00:01:59,067 --> 00:02:02,947 Speaker 3: I've been away for quite some time, really, for eight 36 00:02:03,107 --> 00:02:09,307 Speaker 3: years business in the US mostly, and always loved what 37 00:02:10,027 --> 00:02:12,067 Speaker 3: is happening up here with the MLS and the growth 38 00:02:12,067 --> 00:02:15,427 Speaker 3: of it, and always had a passion that Auckland needs 39 00:02:15,427 --> 00:02:18,947 Speaker 3: a team. And I think what Wellington has done for 40 00:02:19,387 --> 00:02:23,387 Speaker 3: not only the league but also for New Zealand has 41 00:02:23,427 --> 00:02:27,707 Speaker 3: been amazing. So anytime that there was an opportunity, I 42 00:02:27,787 --> 00:02:31,667 Speaker 3: thought that we could have a derby and what the 43 00:02:31,787 --> 00:02:33,907 Speaker 3: ultimate dream would be for me is have an Auckland 44 00:02:33,947 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 3: Wellington Final and I could be part of it with 45 00:02:37,467 --> 00:02:41,747 Speaker 3: some phenomenal people. It's not very hard to convince. 46 00:02:41,387 --> 00:02:45,227 Speaker 2: Men good stuff. Was this a joint decision by you, 47 00:02:45,427 --> 00:02:48,027 Speaker 2: Tim Brown and Winston Reid or did you all make 48 00:02:48,387 --> 00:02:51,547 Speaker 2: the decision to get involved independent of one another. 49 00:02:53,147 --> 00:02:55,427 Speaker 3: Well, look, I mean we're great mays, the three of us, 50 00:02:55,507 --> 00:02:58,307 Speaker 3: and we do regularly keep in touch. I mean I 51 00:02:59,427 --> 00:03:01,627 Speaker 3: went and stayed with Brown a few months ago and 52 00:03:01,667 --> 00:03:03,907 Speaker 3: I'll do it again soon. And so we've just had 53 00:03:03,947 --> 00:03:06,307 Speaker 3: discussions about it for a long long time and being 54 00:03:06,427 --> 00:03:11,147 Speaker 3: pretty passionate about doing something. Winston's done his own thing 55 00:03:11,147 --> 00:03:14,787 Speaker 3: with academies. I mean, Winston's a powerhouse right just who 56 00:03:14,827 --> 00:03:18,227 Speaker 3: he is and what he's been able to do. But yeah, 57 00:03:18,227 --> 00:03:20,707 Speaker 3: for the most part, I've been head down with the 58 00:03:20,747 --> 00:03:25,387 Speaker 3: business and investments and so it's been loose conversations. But 59 00:03:25,507 --> 00:03:28,867 Speaker 3: the moment that the opportunity came about, and that was 60 00:03:28,907 --> 00:03:33,427 Speaker 3: actually a phone call from Ali and Anna, that's when 61 00:03:33,467 --> 00:03:35,667 Speaker 3: it really kicked into gear. But Tim, I mean I've 62 00:03:35,667 --> 00:03:39,347 Speaker 3: got to say Tim's passion behind this and his want 63 00:03:39,827 --> 00:03:42,867 Speaker 3: well before even this ownership group came in, he was 64 00:03:42,907 --> 00:03:44,467 Speaker 3: you know, he's been in discussion, is trying to make 65 00:03:44,467 --> 00:03:47,787 Speaker 3: it happen anyway. So I think that's been something that 66 00:03:47,827 --> 00:03:48,827 Speaker 3: he can be very proud of. 67 00:03:50,267 --> 00:03:56,547 Speaker 2: How much hands on involvement do you think you'll have, Noah. 68 00:03:55,147 --> 00:03:58,747 Speaker 3: Probably myself not so much. It's more if I look 69 00:03:58,787 --> 00:04:03,227 Speaker 3: at everyone's strengths on there, there's Bill is phenomenal. So 70 00:04:03,747 --> 00:04:05,627 Speaker 3: you know, when I got the call from alian Anna, 71 00:04:05,707 --> 00:04:07,147 Speaker 3: I was in vague because I have to spend a 72 00:04:07,147 --> 00:04:09,067 Speaker 3: lot of time there with the business. And I was 73 00:04:09,147 --> 00:04:14,987 Speaker 3: driving past the Vegas Knight's Hockey Arena and I was like, Wow, 74 00:04:15,027 --> 00:04:17,947 Speaker 3: this is meant to be if it's some reason the 75 00:04:18,067 --> 00:04:21,547 Speaker 3: world's of aligned. And I'm looking at this amazing achievement 76 00:04:21,627 --> 00:04:25,867 Speaker 3: from you know, Bill and thinking having that news villainder 77 00:04:25,907 --> 00:04:27,987 Speaker 3: is just I mean, it gives me goose. I'm still 78 00:04:28,027 --> 00:04:30,427 Speaker 3: to think that that's where New Zealand sports ownership has 79 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:33,147 Speaker 3: got to because that's what's made it happen here, and 80 00:04:33,627 --> 00:04:36,747 Speaker 3: the emails and the like. And so when I look 81 00:04:36,787 --> 00:04:40,707 Speaker 3: at what he already has in resources and what he 82 00:04:40,787 --> 00:04:44,867 Speaker 3: brings and then I look at Anna and the Zuru world, 83 00:04:44,947 --> 00:04:47,947 Speaker 3: and you know, I've had some first hand exposure to 84 00:04:47,987 --> 00:04:49,747 Speaker 3: that up here. It's so much bigger than any of 85 00:04:49,787 --> 00:04:53,187 Speaker 3: us could ever comprehend. I look at what I can 86 00:04:53,227 --> 00:04:55,867 Speaker 3: bring and I you know, I think I've got relationships 87 00:04:55,907 --> 00:04:58,107 Speaker 3: with the Phoenix. I think us and the Phoenix can 88 00:04:58,147 --> 00:05:01,947 Speaker 3: actually family, will have that hard rivalry. I've already seen 89 00:05:01,947 --> 00:05:03,987 Speaker 3: some of the band or even with our name's been mentioned, 90 00:05:04,307 --> 00:05:07,787 Speaker 3: which is fantastic. But I do think that, you know, 91 00:05:07,867 --> 00:05:10,707 Speaker 3: we can do a lot together for New Zealand football, 92 00:05:11,387 --> 00:05:14,347 Speaker 3: and I think the future of football is bright having 93 00:05:14,387 --> 00:05:17,467 Speaker 3: two teams, So any part that I can play in 94 00:05:17,507 --> 00:05:20,387 Speaker 3: that is where I really want to do as much 95 00:05:20,427 --> 00:05:23,947 Speaker 3: as I can. And then that's something that I know 96 00:05:23,987 --> 00:05:26,947 Speaker 3: if we can have more Winston Reeds, we can have 97 00:05:27,067 --> 00:05:31,867 Speaker 3: more international transfers going to some of these bigger clubs, 98 00:05:31,907 --> 00:05:34,387 Speaker 3: which is already happening. I mean, New Zealand football is 99 00:05:34,387 --> 00:05:36,827 Speaker 3: a long time and long way advance with players playing 100 00:05:36,827 --> 00:05:40,747 Speaker 3: in Europe now when even I was playing. More of 101 00:05:40,827 --> 00:05:42,307 Speaker 3: that is what I want to have influence. 102 00:05:42,347 --> 00:05:45,347 Speaker 2: And you mentioned Rob Morrison before, and I've listened to 103 00:05:45,427 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 2: other interviews and read some of your comments since you've 104 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:51,747 Speaker 2: invested in Auckland FC talking about Rob's influence and you 105 00:05:51,987 --> 00:05:54,907 Speaker 2: obviously alluded to it a short time ago in our chat. 106 00:05:55,747 --> 00:05:59,467 Speaker 2: How big an influence has he been on you? And 107 00:06:00,027 --> 00:06:02,067 Speaker 2: as you say, maybe you could expand on his influence 108 00:06:02,347 --> 00:06:03,867 Speaker 2: on the game here in New Zealand as well. 109 00:06:04,947 --> 00:06:10,027 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, look Morrison his brother who is you know, 110 00:06:10,107 --> 00:06:12,467 Speaker 3: he's past, but he is a hero of mine. My 111 00:06:12,547 --> 00:06:15,387 Speaker 3: son's actually named after him and my grandfather, so they 112 00:06:15,387 --> 00:06:19,947 Speaker 3: were two big influencers. And then introduced me to Rob 113 00:06:19,987 --> 00:06:23,867 Speaker 3: and the Phoenix right at the early stages, and I 114 00:06:23,867 --> 00:06:27,027 Speaker 3: got to see firsthand how much work Rob put in 115 00:06:27,067 --> 00:06:30,907 Speaker 3: to this and it's been phenomenal. I mean in terms 116 00:06:30,947 --> 00:06:32,947 Speaker 3: of not just for the Wellington Phoenix as well, but 117 00:06:33,067 --> 00:06:35,667 Speaker 3: for the full ownership group. There's a couple of the 118 00:06:35,707 --> 00:06:40,107 Speaker 3: owners who have had major, major roles in getting the 119 00:06:40,187 --> 00:06:43,067 Speaker 3: league to where it is right now. I'm in Melbourne City. 120 00:06:43,067 --> 00:06:46,067 Speaker 3: They've got Simon, and then I think with Wellington and 121 00:06:46,107 --> 00:06:49,067 Speaker 3: having Rob, the owners have actually looked to Rob a 122 00:06:49,067 --> 00:06:53,747 Speaker 3: lot from what I got to see, and almost leaned 123 00:06:53,747 --> 00:06:57,227 Speaker 3: on him because of the way he operates. So for me, look, 124 00:06:57,267 --> 00:07:02,787 Speaker 3: I think that he is probably if not. I think 125 00:07:02,787 --> 00:07:06,587 Speaker 3: he is. Actually he's the person who has done the 126 00:07:06,587 --> 00:07:08,987 Speaker 3: most for New Zealand football in the last ten years 127 00:07:09,387 --> 00:07:12,707 Speaker 3: and also for the A League as well for a 128 00:07:12,787 --> 00:07:17,507 Speaker 3: New Zealand representation. Everything that I've seen him do, and 129 00:07:17,547 --> 00:07:21,467 Speaker 3: then how we as an Auckland group and I look 130 00:07:21,467 --> 00:07:24,107 Speaker 3: at myself in a more in as football in New 131 00:07:24,227 --> 00:07:29,627 Speaker 3: Zealand can do things together or follow and always respect 132 00:07:29,747 --> 00:07:35,467 Speaker 3: what he did for this pathway. I just feel that 133 00:07:35,587 --> 00:07:38,027 Speaker 3: I want to add something as well that I can 134 00:07:38,707 --> 00:07:41,707 Speaker 3: to have any touch of what Rob's done, because he's 135 00:07:41,707 --> 00:07:43,707 Speaker 3: a legend. And so you know what influence did you 136 00:07:43,787 --> 00:07:46,147 Speaker 3: have on me? I got to watch all of that, 137 00:07:46,387 --> 00:07:48,787 Speaker 3: I got to learn. I'd say, if there's anything that 138 00:07:48,787 --> 00:07:50,587 Speaker 3: I've got a strength, it's just leaning off people that 139 00:07:50,587 --> 00:07:52,827 Speaker 3: a much better than me. And you're going and using 140 00:07:52,827 --> 00:07:53,347 Speaker 3: it myself. 141 00:07:54,027 --> 00:07:56,067 Speaker 2: What an editude, What a great attitude. So are we 142 00:07:56,107 --> 00:07:57,467 Speaker 2: going to see you down I know you're busy, but 143 00:07:57,467 --> 00:07:59,387 Speaker 2: we're going to see you down there for any games? 144 00:07:59,387 --> 00:07:59,987 Speaker 2: For derbies? 145 00:07:59,987 --> 00:08:04,667 Speaker 3: Maybe I'd love to be at the derby's. My schedules 146 00:08:04,827 --> 00:08:09,667 Speaker 3: pretty crazy, so I've got I know that if I 147 00:08:09,787 --> 00:08:11,987 Speaker 3: missed too many games, Ali will give me a dead arm. 148 00:08:11,987 --> 00:08:16,667 Speaker 3: And I frame the minds. So that's probably where my 149 00:08:16,707 --> 00:08:18,547 Speaker 3: fear comes from. So make sure I get down for 150 00:08:18,627 --> 00:08:22,027 Speaker 3: quite a bit. And look, I just I kind of 151 00:08:22,027 --> 00:08:26,507 Speaker 3: miss New Zealand and this part of it quite often, right, 152 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:28,587 Speaker 3: And so anything I can do to jump on a 153 00:08:28,587 --> 00:08:31,147 Speaker 3: plane and come back and come and catch up with you, 154 00:08:31,267 --> 00:08:35,187 Speaker 3: Piney and all of the crew, I'll be That's a 155 00:08:35,227 --> 00:08:37,627 Speaker 3: great part of life, I would say for the future coming. 156 00:08:37,467 --> 00:08:39,187 Speaker 2: Up, ye look forward to seeing you and just what 157 00:08:39,227 --> 00:08:41,107 Speaker 2: we've got you. What is what is my taking up 158 00:08:41,147 --> 00:08:43,787 Speaker 2: most of your time at the moment? CEO of of 159 00:08:43,907 --> 00:08:47,027 Speaker 2: Whip Around? Is that your Is that the thing that 160 00:08:47,067 --> 00:08:48,587 Speaker 2: takes up most of your time at the moment? 161 00:08:49,827 --> 00:08:51,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, look, I'm in a plane every week. 162 00:08:51,707 --> 00:08:57,027 Speaker 3: We've got some of the largest companies in the US 163 00:08:57,627 --> 00:08:59,787 Speaker 3: construction through all sorts of things. So I'm learning a 164 00:08:59,787 --> 00:09:01,747 Speaker 3: lot through that as well. I spent a ton of 165 00:09:01,747 --> 00:09:04,787 Speaker 3: time doing that. But I've got to say my one 166 00:09:04,787 --> 00:09:07,427 Speaker 3: of my other major passion projects is surfing. And my 167 00:09:07,507 --> 00:09:10,387 Speaker 3: son is just an absolute surfer. So I am driving 168 00:09:10,427 --> 00:09:13,467 Speaker 3: around all the California You're taking him to surf competitions 169 00:09:13,587 --> 00:09:16,347 Speaker 3: and you know, learning a bit of surf coaching. As 170 00:09:16,387 --> 00:09:20,027 Speaker 3: I go because I have to. So that's those are 171 00:09:20,067 --> 00:09:21,707 Speaker 3: the two things that take out most of my time. 172 00:09:21,827 --> 00:09:25,347 Speaker 3: And they're both funds, so I can't say I've got 173 00:09:25,347 --> 00:09:26,587 Speaker 3: no complaints, that's for sure. 174 00:09:26,707 --> 00:09:29,187 Speaker 2: Good stuff. Well, it was great news during the week 175 00:09:29,227 --> 00:09:31,507 Speaker 2: to hear of your investment along with Tim Brown and 176 00:09:31,547 --> 00:09:34,147 Speaker 2: Winston Reid. You know, three iconic names in our game 177 00:09:34,827 --> 00:09:36,827 Speaker 2: and three men who have gone on to great things 178 00:09:36,907 --> 00:09:39,307 Speaker 2: post they're playing career. No awesome to get the chance 179 00:09:39,347 --> 00:09:40,987 Speaker 2: to chat to you, mate, get down here for one 180 00:09:41,027 --> 00:09:42,987 Speaker 2: of those derbies. I can't wait to see you. 181 00:09:42,947 --> 00:09:43,507 Speaker 3: You're top man. 182 00:09:43,587 --> 00:09:46,307 Speaker 2: Cheers plaining thank you. Noah Noahickey that one of the 183 00:09:46,347 --> 00:09:49,267 Speaker 2: new investors into Auckland FC, along with Tim Brown and 184 00:09:49,347 --> 00:09:52,627 Speaker 2: Winston Reed. Bill Foley, of course, the American billionaire businessman 185 00:09:52,707 --> 00:09:56,667 Speaker 2: is the majority owner, Annamobray and Ali Williams the others 186 00:09:56,707 --> 00:10:00,067 Speaker 2: in that ownership group. Less than fifty days now until 187 00:10:00,107 --> 00:10:02,787 Speaker 2: the New A League season starts, including of course an 188 00:10:02,787 --> 00:10:05,187 Speaker 2: A League debut for the new Boys on the Bloc 189 00:10:05,347 --> 00:10:06,147 Speaker 2: Auckland F. 190 00:10:07,267 --> 00:10:10,427 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 191 00:10:10,547 --> 00:10:13,827 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday or follow 192 00:10:13,867 --> 00:10:15,467 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio,