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nice work2.88 The ARU, however, told the committee that no decision was made until the announcement was made on 11 August 2017 because insolvency remained a real possibility for the Melbourne Rebels:
As part of our process of negotiating with the Melbourne Rebels we got to the point where we were able to conduct due diligence on the Melbourne Rebels. And it was clear to us at that point that there were serious financial concerns which could potentially result in an insolvency event. In fact, at the 12th hour minor shareholders within the Melbourne Rebels came forward with incremental capital to prop up the enterprise, which removed it from the prospect of insolvency.[105]
2.89 The committee have since been made aware through a confidential submission that the ARU suggested Imperium exercise a put option and were involved in negotiations which cleared Melbourne Rebels debt thereby allowing the put option to the Victorian Rugby Union to be exercised. These events took place in June 2017 and effectively made it impossible to end their licence.