A-League can trump AFL with a mid-week grand final
Francis Leach writes on the ABC website that the Aleague has the opportunity to stage a unique midweek Grand Final to get around the AFL, citing the success of Origin as a template for the event.
2015
Read More
Suncorp Stadium not for sale: Premier
Fairfax media reports that the Queensland Government will not be selling Lang Park after News Limited reported that the previous government had planned to secretly do so. The state’s new Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, whose key election promise was to not sell-off any state assets, says she has no plans to sell them. “Absolutely no…
Sydney swoop to stage Victory grand final
Reports in Fairfax media suggest that ANZ Stadium is about to table an offer to hold the Aleague Grand Final in the event that it cant be held in Melbourne. The stadiums offer is believe to be contingent on Sydney FC making the final, and would be expected to draw about 70,000 to the ground.
A-League grand final will be played at AAMI Park should Melbourne Victory qualify
News Limited reports that a deal is expected soon to keep the Aleague Grand Final in Melbourne this year should Victory qualify. The FFA is expected to back down on its threat to move the game interstate only if the AFL is prepared to guarantee it can use etihad for the Grand Final for the…
Football’s problematic gambling association
Craig Foster writes that gamblings influence on the game poses problems after betting was used as a reason for a milder punishment than might have otherwise been handed down to the Glory at the end of the Salary Cap saga. That it certainly is, and therein is the problem when sports accept money from the…
New Footy Industry Discussion Forum
The brand new Footy Industry discussion forum is up and running here. Please feel free to discuss or ask about anything related to this forum. I have no idea if anyone will use it, or if anyone even wants to, but we lack a place where we can discuss such matters in a civilised fashion….
NRL may sign new TV deal with two years left to run on current contracts
News Limited is reporting that the NRL may try to sign its next media deal two years early, which will evidently give it some advantage over the AFL.
Hawthorn to spend up to $50 million on new training facility
News Limited reports that the Hawks are planning to build a $50 million state of the art facility at a greenfields site in eastern Melbourne. The facility will be open for community use which will enable the club to seek state and federal funding assistance.
Bulldogs stand firm on A-League decider
Numerous outlets are reporting that the Western Bulldogs will not be moving their home game from Etihad Stadium to accommodate the Aleague Grand Final, as the FFA finds that time is growing short to find a venue. “We’re not moving aside for soccer,” Gordon told Melbourne radio station SEN. “It’s a home game for us…
Glory accept Penalty, CEO resigns
News Limited reports that the Perth Glory have accepted the decision to fine and eliminate them from the finals series in 2015. The club will not take further action as it had previously threatened to. “Following the process the club has reached the view that it was within FFA’s power to make the decision and…
Essendon sees membership avalanche
The Herald-Sun reports that Essendon has had a massive tide of membership signups since the AFLs Anti-doping Tribunal found the club not guilty of violating the Anti Doping Code. The Club is now anticapting a new membership record with a target of 65,000. “I think many of them wanted a resolution or at least to…
Stadiums Queensland shuts grandstand for Titans-Penrith clash
The Gold Coast Bulletin is reporting that Stadiums Queensland has closed one of the Grandstands for the Titans clash with Penrith reducing the capacity of the Robina stadium by 6,000 and forcing the club to tell its members and supporters that seating will be unavailable. “The request came from the stadium itself and from Stadiums…
Penrith Panthers and Port Adelaide Power form groundbreaking alliance
Fairfax reports that an AFl team and an NRL team will partner up to look at the way each other does business – Penrith from a football perspective, Port particularly from a business perpective. “It will give us a look into how an AFL team structures their football program,” Panthers football club chief executive Justin…
Lessons for the NRL in shaky AFL expansion strategy
Patrick Smith opines in the Australian that the NRL should proceed with expansion, with caution, saying that there are lessons to be learnt from the AFLs expansion strategy of marching straight in guns blazing. A word of caution from the AFL experience. Don’t march forward. Shuffle. Obviously expansion — it would mean exploration for any…
Clubs fear NRL can’t afford to expand
The Australian reports that club bosses are concerned that the NRL wont be able to afford expansion if it continues to prop up clubs – there are at least four presently receiving assistance from the league at the moment. “We need all the current clubs to be sustainable and the only way you’d look at…
Western Bulldogs appoint Nike executive David Stevenson as new chief executive
Fairfax reports, and the Bulldogs website confirms, that the Western Bulldogs have formally appointed David Stevenson to be their new CEO after a process lasting three months. Stevenson has been part of Nike management for the past 17 years, ascending to the role of vice president of sales for the sporting goods manufacturer’s emerging markets….
Why publishing players’ salaries is both necessary and inevitable
Steve Mascord writes in Fairfax media that making player salaries public knowledge is only a matter of time.
New player emerges as race for second Brisbane NRL team hots up
Phil Lutton writes in Fairfax media that a new consortium has emerged as a contender for a possible second Brisbane license which could potentially be worth an additional 250 million to the leagues media rights.
Stuart calls for NRL support in battle with AFL and ACT government
Fairfax media reports that Raiders coach Ricky Stuart wants better NRL support in what he refers to as a football battleground of Canberra. “What interested me on the weekend was witnessing the relationship the ACT Government has with the AFL hierarchy in pulling together and promoting the recent GWS fixture here in Canberra,” Stuart wrote….
Fifa World Cup: New Zealand eyes joint host bid with Australia
The Guardian reports that Martin Snedden, NZ organiser of the 2011 Rugby World Cup wants to make a bid for the 2026 World Cup with Australia. Australia has apparently not been approached at this time.