"That's a fabrication": Cronulla CEO calls out rumours on Shark Park future

Cronulla Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta has addressed the incorrect rumours surrounding the club’s future at Ocean Protect Stadium.

Having played at the venue since 1968, the suburban ground has become the club’s spiritual home.

But during the week, rumours emerged that 2026 would be the 48th and final year Cronulla plays at Ocean Protect Stadium, with the club expected to play matches at Allianz Stadium and Kogarah Oval, with the NRL reportedly unhappy with the stadium’s quality.

But Mezzatesta denied those claims, confirming that the club is not moving.

“We are not moving at all,” Mezzatesta said on SEN’s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.

“I know it has been widely reported and suggested that there’s been meetings and we’re moving but that's not the case at all.

“I was pretty firm in our statement for our members, our fans, and our sponsors and all the (like).

“The NRL also categorically denied that anyone had spoken to anybody in relation to our stadia.

“That's how this whole thing started, that sources from the NRL suggested that we are moving and that's a fabrication, that's incorrect.”

But the CEO acknowledges that the venue could do with additional funding to improve the facilities after the NSW Government backflipped on a $90 million upgrade back in 2022.

“$150 (million) will get us a brand-new stadium just like they're gonna build out Penrith to like one wing, which would be awesome,” he added.

 “But if you gave us $45 (million), then we'll still get a job done.

“We'll get a job done where the facility will improve, the centre of excellence will be built, we'll get new broadcast rooms, we'll get new change rooms.

 “The capacity's not gonna go to 23,000-25,000. But as I said before, I think these grounds are still required within our code where you can still put 18-19,000 people into a stadium (that’s) so close to the action.

“It's a different level of energy and excitement.”

Cronulla will once again feature at Ocean Protect Stadium on Sunday when they host St. George Illawarra for their Round 14 clash.

Kick-off takes place at 4:05pm AEST.