The fallout from Matthew Johns' involvement in a group sex episode on a trip to New Zealand in 2002 is overshadowing serious financial problems at the Cronulla club.
The Sharks have a A$12 million ($15.3 million) short-term debt that must be refinanced this year, one win on the board and dwindling crowds.
Their sponsors are nervous following the sexual revelations. The NRL has refused a Sharks request to play five games at the Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford on the Central Coast, a deal that might have bought more time.
The lease on the stadium is held by advertising mogul John Singleton who wants his own NRL team and in the meantime offers the existing 16 sides A$100,000 cash if they play there.
It emerged this week that the NRL offered the club A$10 million to move north in 2005 but the Sharks board voted the proposal down.
And while all attention should be on the balance sheet, the club chairman Barry Pierce is cornered in the Johns scandal.
Pierce has urged the other 11 players and staff who were in the room at the Racecourse Hotel in Christchurch with a 19-year-old kitchenhand to come forward, and so has former captain David Peachey.
"If they're a mate of Matty Johns, you shouldn't just leave him to take the heat on his own," Pierce said.
"Matthew Johns has been man enough to apologise for his actions and so, too, should all involved."
Police interviewed all 40 in the Sharks tour party for the pre-season game against Penrith.
The Sportstab agency yesterday offered 26-to-one that the Sharks will not win a game this season.
The NRL wants a reduction in the number of Sydney sides from the present nine and is keen to have a team on the Central Coast.
NRL: Sex and debt combine to bite Sharks
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