Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe is planning to sell his
stake in Australian rugby league club South Sydney Rabbitohs
in an effort to "simplify" his life after breaking up with
his wife.
In an e-mail to a local television reporter, the 48-year-old
said the split had caused him to put on the market the 75
percent holding in the club he has co-owned with businessman
Peter Holmes a Court since 2006.
"My family situation has changed," Crowe wrote. "I have to
address personally how busy I have made my life outside of my
actual job.
"It doesn't change anything at the club level. I will always
be a South Sydney supporter and member, as I have been, man
and boy, South Sydney 'til I die.
"If I have any chance of keeping my family together, I have
to simplify my life where I can."
The Rabbitohs, named for the cry of rabbit hawkers in early
20th century Sydney, are the most successful team in
Australian rugby league with 20 premiership titles but had
fallen on hard times before Crowe made his investment.
Since then, they have enjoyed a revival and this year boasted
22,000 members and reached the semi-finals of the post-season
playoffs.
New Zealand-born Crowe won his Oscar in 2000 for his
portrayal of Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius in the
historical epic Gladiator.
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