Kerry Packer, 1937-2005

[Punk Rooster]

Just on the news that Kerry Packer passed away, aged 68.

[Rik E Boy]

I'll bet his son is crushed...having to take over that multi million dollar empire and all. **** I hate rich people.

regards,

REB

[Magpiespower]

Gotta say I was surprised to hear this - didn't even know he was ill, at least not that ill.

Cricket is certainly indebted to this larger than life character.

Wonder if the AFL rights were a parting gift to young Jamie, sorry, James?

[Magpiespower]

"There's only one bloody Packer and that's me, and don't you forget it!"
- Sir Frank to senior executives responsible to Clyde and Kerry.

Q: Is it right that you went into the Supertest business to make money?
A: Of course. I have never said anything else.
- Kerry Packer, cross-examined by Michael Kempster QC, 1977.

"You only get one Alan Bond in your lifetime and I've had mine."
- Kerry Packer, 1987.

"Kerry Packer loathes the Australian media...he regards Australian newspapers in particular as completely irresponsible."
- The Bulletin, 1989.

"That's God but we have to humour him because he's got a bit of a problem. You see, he thinks he's Kerry Packer."
- Kerry Packer, 1990.

"I've been to the other side, and let me tell you son, there's f@#$ing nothing there."
- Kerry Packer, 1990.

[therisingblues]

Another great Australian passes on. Kerry Packer's career should serve as an example to other Aussies, that one of our own was able to rise to the position that he did in a lifetime. With the world become more and more controlled by the super-rich, it is good that Australia produced somebody with the business clout that Packer had. Without such people we would be nothing but fodder for the rest of the world to gobble up. I hope this man's legacy lives on for a long time to come.
Rest in Peace, Mr Packer

[brent]

that one of our own was able to rise to the position that he did in a lifetime

i'm not doubting packers business clout, but am i right in saying he was born to a rich family and then effectively inherited his fathers business?

[Wedgie]

I'll bet his son is crushed...having to take over that multi million dollar empire and all. f*** I hate rich people.

regards,

REB

The people who will be really crushed is some of the croupiers and casinos in Las Vegas!!

[JK]

that one of our own was able to rise to the position that he did in a lifetime

i'm not doubting packers business clout, but am i right in saying he was born to a rich family and then effectively inherited his fathers business?

From what I understand of it Brent, yes thats right ... That said he took a multi-million dollar business and turned into into a billion dollar empire, so the man deserves a lot of credit imho!

Interesting to see that he suffered a stroke or heart-attack or whatever (read: he was basically ****) a few years back but was revived, and upon his recovery donated a defibrilator (sp?) to every ambulance in NSW, a pretty decent and expensive gesture...

[MightyEagles]

deserves credit for taking cricket from what it was and putting it where it is now. The coloured uniforms, to more cameras, including the stump cam and mic, to the white ball, the black screen and day/night matches.

[ORDoubleBlues]

I think the current players are quite aware of his contribution to the game of cricket that they now make considerable livings out of. Was interesting to hear Chappelli say about one particular test in the '70's "I said to myself, the gate takings for this match were $250000 and we (Australian team) are only earning 200 dollars each, somethings not right". Also remember seeing an interview from the '70's with Rod Marsh and he said "after this upcoming tour, I'm going to have to decide whether I wan't to do this any more as playing cricket is not paying the bills".
Do remember seeing that AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am that he won with Greg Norman when Channel 9 used to show the odd USPGA tour event in the early '90's. Don't know if he was playing with a generous handicap or whether he just played out of his skin as I seem to remember that they won by a wide margin.
Seems to be a few stories coming out now about his generosity that he wanted downplayed while he was alive.
Was anyone watching Doug Mulray's "Adult's only funniest home videos" (wasn't myself) when legend has it that Packer rang the station half way through the show and said "get this crap off the air".

[Punk Rooster]

Was anyone watching Doug Mulray's "Adult's only funniest home videos" (wasn't myself) when legend has it that Packer rang the station half way through the show and said "get this crap off the air".

Yes, I was watching, when they went to an ad break, another show started on it's return, I remember thinking WTF? In the paper the next day (or after) it stated that KP personally pulled* show off the air.
Another one is the sacking of a Head Honcho at 9, when they went in with 10 for the footy. KP was in hospital, recovering from above mentioned stroke/heart attack, when he came out* & discovered that for all the money he invested, he didn't have rights to any finals, out came the "Don't Come Monday" papers...

[Magpiespower]

Do remember seeing that AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am that he won with Greg Norman when Channel 9 used to show the odd USPGA tour event in the early '90's. Don't know if he was playing with a generous handicap or whether he just played out of his skin as I seem to remember that they won by a wide margin.

Was playing off a handicap of 18.

They won by 6 strokes.

In the paper the next day (or after) it stated that KP personally pulled* show off the air.

He actually apologised to David Gyngell for that.

Gyngell was running the show and Packer rang him up demanding to take it off the air. Gyngell refused. Packer rang back minutes later again demanding to take it off the air. Gyngell again refused.

Next thing, Packer rings the young fella in the control room. Zip! It's off the air.

[therisingblues]

Gyngell was running the show and Packer rang him up demanding to take it off the air. Gyngell refused. Packer rang back minutes later again demanding to take it off the air. Gyngell again refused.

Next thing, Packer rings the young fella in the control room. Zip! It's off the air.[/quote]

LMAO! I could imagine the little bloke shitting himself when he got that call!
Was there ever any video released of that TV show? I have always been curious about what all the fuss was about.

[am Bays]

The funny thing about that show in Adelaide was that it got pulled roughly 42 min into the show, we got to see the full 42 min here in Adelaide rather than the 12 we should of got if the video operator pulled it in Adelaide at the same time KP made the call in Sydney.....