The Sydney Swans acknowledge the passing of former Chairman Geoffrey Edelsten.
The Club extends its thoughts, condolences and best wishes to his family and close friends.
A group fronted by Edelsten was awarded the ownership of the Sydney Swans on July 31, 1985.
The VFL Commission at the time, headed by Jack Hamilton, awarded the first ever private VFL licence to Edelsten – so it seemed - whose offer of $6.4 million was superior to the alternate $4.8 million offered by Basil Sellers. This and subsequent licence fee payments relating to the control of the Sydney Swans were distributed between the other VFL clubs, some of which, at the time, were much in need of financial assistance.
Ultimately Edelsten was Chairman of the Sydney Swans for less than 12 months.
Following the group taking control in August 1985, Edelsten immediately generated significant media and popular interest in the Club with his flamboyant approach to business and promotion.
In mid-1986 it was revealed that Edelsten in fact was not the sole owner of the Sydney Swans, as was the public perception. In truth, the Sydney Swans was owned by Powerplay, a public company linked to Westeq, in turn associated with businessman John Holmes. Much of the marketing flair exhibited during Powerplay’s ownership of the club was under the guidance of Bob Pritchard, with Edelsten fronting the promotional blockbuster in its earliest days.
As a consequence of the revelations relating to ownership, and other matters, Edelsten resigned as club Chairman in July 1986, and ended a colourful yet brief association with the Sydney Swans.
Following Edelsten’s departure, Powerplay controlled the operations for the balance of the 1986 and 1987 seasons. However due to a series of misadvised business ventures, eventually Powerplay were forced to relinquish the licence. In March 1988 the VFL reclaimed the Sydney Swans licence for a nominal sum.
Following the end of the Edelsten/Powerplay period, the VFL then granted the licence to a new private ownership group. That group in later years became known as the True Believers, and included Mike Willesee, Peter Weinert, Basil Sellers, Craig Kimberley and John Gerahty.
Geoffrey Edelsten’s association with the club was brief but notable, and can be characterised as a larger than life and dramatic - albeit brief - period in the club's momentous 147 year history
He succeeded in putting the Sydney Swans on the map and introduced a whole new market for Australian Football in Sydney, and New South Wales.
