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Mark Robinson
Former Richmond president Clinton Casey has bought Ricky Nixon's Flying Start business for close to $900,000.
To be renamed Phoenix Management, it will be run by former Essendon player and one-time Nixon client Scott Lucas and Western Bulldogs 300-gamer Rohan Smith.
Smith heads VSquad, the development academy for 12, 13 and 14-year-olds that began under Nixon's umbrella last year.
Effectively sold to Casey and co were VSquad and the rights to any player who wants to go to the new company.
It's believed Phoenix will target Nixon's young stable of stars - Richmond's Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt, Western Bulldog Easton Wood, Essendon's David Zaharakis and Fremantle's Jayden Pitt - to stay and build the new company.
It's not known whether Nixon's long-time No.1 client, St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt, will join Phoenix, though indications were not positive.
Nixon had also hoped to sign three of the 20 top-rated youngsters ahead of the 2011 national draft. They will be pursued by Phoenix.
Casey, who heads a group of up to five investors, could not be contacted. Nixon also refused to answer calls.
Nixon, 47, was stripped of his management licence after an investigation found he had a sexual relationship with the "St Kilda schoolgirl". Nixon has denied the allegation.
Nixon cleaned out his Docklands office last week and is believed to have used friend Sam Newman's warehouse to store signed sports memorabilia worth several hundred thousand dollars.
He won't work in football again, but has indicated he will work in the health education area.
Former Richmond president Clinton Casey has bought Ricky Nixon's Flying Start business for close to $900,000.
To be renamed Phoenix Management, it will be run by former Essendon player and one-time Nixon client Scott Lucas and Western Bulldogs 300-gamer Rohan Smith.
Smith heads VSquad, the development academy for 12, 13 and 14-year-olds that began under Nixon's umbrella last year.
Effectively sold to Casey and co were VSquad and the rights to any player who wants to go to the new company.
It's believed Phoenix will target Nixon's young stable of stars - Richmond's Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt, Western Bulldog Easton Wood, Essendon's David Zaharakis and Fremantle's Jayden Pitt - to stay and build the new company.
It's not known whether Nixon's long-time No.1 client, St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt, will join Phoenix, though indications were not positive.
Nixon had also hoped to sign three of the 20 top-rated youngsters ahead of the 2011 national draft. They will be pursued by Phoenix.
Casey, who heads a group of up to five investors, could not be contacted. Nixon also refused to answer calls.
Nixon, 47, was stripped of his management licence after an investigation found he had a sexual relationship with the "St Kilda schoolgirl". Nixon has denied the allegation.
Nixon cleaned out his Docklands office last week and is believed to have used friend Sam Newman's warehouse to store signed sports memorabilia worth several hundred thousand dollars.
He won't work in football again, but has indicated he will work in the health education area.
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