Simon Hill writes that the Asian Cup is expected to deliver a $20 million surplus to the state and federal governments who spent $61 million hosting the event. He hopes that they will spend some of the proceeds on the local game. We had unprecedented government and community support. There is no question that the…
A Report in the Australian asks Is soccer in Australia undervalued relative to other sporting codes? While it acknowledges the greater TV rights and ratings, and likewise the greater attendances, the article seems to suggest that participation at grassroots should be considered a factor when determining the sports popularity. Note: Articles in The Australian can…
The FFA has found itself in a spot of bother with neither of its first choice stadiums available for semi finals. The Aleague had originally panned its semi-finals for Friday, May 8 and Sunday, May 10, but both AAMI Park in Melbourne and Allianz Stadium in Sydney are unavailable on the Friday. Docklands has been…
Fairfax reports that the AFL is expecting a crowd of around 12-13,000 for its ANZAC Day clash in Wellington between St Kilda and Carlton. The league is expecting about 2,000 Australians to make the journey over, and a thousand more to make the journey from around New Zealand. Harmon confirmed that the late-purchasing event culture…
Fairfax Media reports that the Ten network is considering making a bid for Saturday and Sunday afternoon AFL matches, after rediscovering a taste for sport with the success of its summer BBL coverage. “Ten has declared an interest [in securing AFL rights] and has participated in the process,” Mr McLennan told Fairfax Media. His comments…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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….
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…