Troubled businessman Nathan Tinkler's sports teams, the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets, are under threat after the Australian Tax Office applied for them to be wound up over unpaid debts.
The ATO has applied in the Federal Court for a liquidator to be appointed for the Newcastle Jets, Newcastle Knights and their parent company Hunter Sports Group.
Hunter Sports Group is owned by Mr Tinkler.
Documents filed in the Federal Court in Sydney today say the Newcastle Knights owe more than 1.4-million dollars to the ATO, while the Newcastle Jets owe just over one-million dollars.
Hunter Sports Group owes more than 184-thousand dollars.
The ATO made the applications on the grounds of insolvency, noting the defendants had failed to pay the debts within 21 days after they were notified last September.
Mr Tinkler's business empire is under financial pressure, weighed down by excessive debt.
Last week it emerged the 37-year-old coal baron had lost access to his private jet and helicopter after the company that holds them was placed in receivership.
Another of his companies, Mulsanne Resources, was wound up late last month, with Ferrier Hodgson's Robyn Duggan and John Melluish appointed as liquidators.
