Nick Politis has been the driving force behind the Sydney Roosters for more than three decades. Now aged 85, the billionaire chairman shows no signs of slowing down. He has been in Japan this week on business — Politis is the largest shareholder in Australia's biggest car dealership group, Eagers Automotive — and will return to Sydney on Saturday, a day before the grand final at Accor Stadium.
Politis first became involved with the Roosters in 1976, when his company City Ford struck a $150,000, three-year jersey sponsorship deal — the first agreement of its kind in Australian sport. Since then, he has been instrumental in signing high-profile players including Brad Fittler, Sonny Bill Williams, Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans.
According to club director Mark Bouris, Politis's approach to negotiations is relentless. "When Nick decides on a player, he will not let up until he gets the deal," Bouris said. "If he's overseas, or it's 4am and he's in bed and someone wants to talk to him about a player, he'll answer or ring back. He might exist on three or four hours sleep a day. That's how he gets the deal over the line."
As a fitting tribute to his 50 years of involvement, Politis will walk the NRL trophy onto the field before kick-off on Sunday night. The Roosters face Newcastle as favourites to add to a trophy cabinet that includes four premierships won under his chairmanship.