PAUL SMITH, Owner Sydney Kings

Join us for the February meeting of The Illawarra Connection to hear Sydney businessman and entrepreneur talk about his most favourite topic ...himself. Seriously, the self-confessed “simple bloke from Wollongong” will take us on his journey from Warilla to conquering the business journey.

About Paul

Starting his working life as a furniture salesman in a well-known local Wollongong store, Paul would go on to forge a career as one of the early marketers of Australian sports, before taking an idea to the world with the formation of his company Repucom. Repucom grew to have offices in 23 countries 1600 staff doing over $US100 million in revenue annually before being sold to stats giant Neilsen in 2016 for $US195 million.

After a couple of years in the business wilderness, Smith would return home to Sydney to again oversee his marketing and entertainment company TSE and would acquire a stake in national basketball franchise, the Sydney Kings.

Smith’s Hoops Capital company now fully owns the Sydney Kings, WNBL franchise the Sydney Flames and associated basketball interests. And of course, the Kings have returned to national glory winning the last two NBL championships and are drawing the largest crowds ever seen in the NBL. Ever.