Russell Crowe in negotiations to buy rugby team

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ Russell Crowe is a big rugby fan, and now the Oscar-winning actor wants to buy a team. <br/><br/>Crowe is in negotiations to purchase a club in Australia's National Rugby League,

Wednesday, September 14th 2005, 9:25 am

By: News On 6

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ Russell Crowe is a big rugby fan, and now the Oscar-winning actor wants to buy a team.

Crowe is in negotiations to purchase a club in Australia's National Rugby League, officials of the targeted South Sydney Rabbitohs said Saturday.

The Sydney club won a long court case to be readmitted to the NRL in 2002 after being cut from topflight competition following the 1999 season.

Negotiations could continue for at least a month.

``I'd like to buy the club. ... You're actually talking about rugby league fantasy stuff,'' Crowe told The Australian Associated Press. ``Yeah, I'd like to be able to have a situation like they do in America _ they have individual owners.''

Crowe, born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, won an Oscar for his role in the 2000 movie ``Gladiator.'' His screen credits also include ``The Insider,'' ``A Beautiful Mind'' and ``Cinderella Man.''

He has been charged with allegedly throwing a phone at a New York hotel concierge in June.

If convicted of the assault charge, Crowe could lose his right to work in the United States and could face up to seven years in prison. His lawyers are working for a reduction of the charge. The 41-year-old actor is free on his own recognizance.