Expansion No GC team till 2016?

[ParraEelsNRL]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23437603-19742,00.html

Contract clause bans team playing at Carrara until 2016


HE AFL's ambitious plans to have a team based on the Gold Coast by 2011 have hit a major problem, with the team banned from playing there until 2016.

In a serious setback to the AFL's recently adopted full-speed approach to issuing a 17th licence to a consortium based in the region, a contract with the Queensland Government stipulates the Gabba, 80km away in Brisbane, must be used for all season matches until the end of 2015.

The Herald Sun has learned the contract was struck before the Government agreed to the $40 million final stage of the Gabba redevelopment.

The arrangement, struck via Queensland government body Major Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), says a second AFL team being based in south-east Queensland must "play one half of its AFL premiership season matches at the Gabba".

That clause expires in September 2015.

In the AFL-MSFA deal, it is clear the AFL is under no obligation to introduce a second team to south-east Queensland, but should it decide to do so before 2016 it must schedule it to play at least 11 games at the Gabba if the home-and-away season remains at 22 rounds.

AFL chief broadcasting and commercial officer Gillon McLachlan confirmed the new team on the Gold Coast would not be able to play matches in the region until 2016.

"As the contract currently stands, that is true," McLachlan said.

McLachlan said the challenge for the AFL was to convince the Queensland Government and MSFA to amend the arrangement.

"We are aware of the agreement, we don't ever try to walk away from agreements, and part of the Gold Coast discussions has been about this," McLachlan said.

"For the MSFA and the Government to agree to vary that agreement, they would have to be convinced that a team on the Gold Coast, which would play games outside Carrara at the Gabba, also had benefits for them.

"We, in our discussions, need to convince them of that."

There are no venue restrictions on the second team in south-east Queensland beyond September 2015.

Only two weeks ago the AFL trumpeted its plans to fast-track the awarding of a 17th licence to a Gold Coast consortium, as well as that of an 18th licence in west Sydney.

It set 2011 as a possible start time for the Gold Coast side, and mooted the likely appointment of a board, chief executive officer, and possibly coach, by the end of this year.

Rules pertaining to the new side establishing a playing list are yet to be devised, though it remains possible the new team could be allowed early entry to participation in national drafts.

The AFL's failure to secure a stadium deal at Carrara was a major reason behind North Melbourne's decision last December to reject an offer to relocate to the Gold Coast.

Revelations of the Gabba requirements may explain the AFL's vigorous attempts to have North Melbourne agree to relocate there.

Had the Roos accepted the offer, the Government contract clause may not have had the same effect, as legally, the AFL could have argued the club remained Melbourne-based.

In many meetings with AFL officials, the Queensland Government has refused to financially contribute to the necessary redevelopment of Carrara.

MSFA general manager of operations, Ian Whitehead, could not be contacted.

Haha, the Brisbane Bears started off on the Gold Coast, and now the GC whoevers will be based in Brisbane, funny stuff.

 

[fishmonger]

A bit of lateral thinking would see the AFL set up camp in Tweed Heads.

The contract says South East Queensland, but nothing about Northern New South Wales.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Good luck with that, where would they play and where would the support come from, it's not like the AFL is a big sport there, quite small actually.

You couldn't call them a GC team and base them out of somewhere else, it would be laughed out of whatever town they hocked the club off too.

Looks like the GC expansion is failing before it even gets off the ground which a lot of people knew would happen anyway, the reason all this talk about AFL expansion and other stuff they are going on about this year is to take away anything RL does with regards to their 100 year anniversary and the RLWC.

AFL, what comes around, goes around, don't expect any of the other codes to help you out, you have shown your true colours.

The week the NRL was kicking off, the AFL accuse the Swans of throwing games, how pathetic, yet you people can't see it.

 

[Doctor Jolly]

With the GC team playing its big matches, and probably finals, at the gabba, I cant see the queensland government not adjusting the contract.

For the adjustment over the last couple of years of a long term contract that will actually increase the number of games at the gabba in the longer term would seem to make sence.

 

[PHX]

With the GC team playing its big matches

lol. What, a 17000 crowd block buster?

 

[AngelEyes]

The AFL will "base" the Gold Coast club out of the GABBA but play a majority of games on the Gold Coast.

The Government will budge if push comes to shove anyway, it would be political suicide to deprive the Gold Coast of the economic benefits of a football team because of a stupid clause. Its the kind of clause that doesn't effect much but could make a lot of noise.

 

[Doctor Jolly]

lol. What, a 17000 crowd block buster?

Well yeah, anything over 17K wouldnt fit in carrara would it ?

 

[Father Jack]

Good luck with that, where would they play and where would the support come from, it's not like the AFL is a big sport there, quite small actually.

You couldn't call them a GC team and base them out of somewhere else, it would be laughed out of whatever town they hocked the club off too.

Looks like the GC expansion is failing before it even gets off the ground which a lot of people knew would happen anyway, the reason all this talk about AFL expansion and other stuff they are going on about this year is to take away anything RL does with regards to their 100 year anniversary and the RLWC.

AFL, what comes around, goes around, don't expect any of the other codes to help you out, you have shown your true colours.

The week the NRL was kicking off, the AFL accuse the Swans of throwing games, how pathetic, yet you people can't see it.

I remember a team called the Gold Coast Seagulls playing out of Tweed Heads. But then I guess that didn't really end well, did it?

And yes, we know that the Aussie Rules has traced its beginnings back to 1858 for over one hundred years just to spite the NRL. We think ahead.

 

[Subprime]

...

And yes, we know that the Aussie Rules has traced its beginnings back to 1858 for over one hundred years just to spite the NRL. We think ahead.

Back in 1908 Aussie Rules did the same thing.

Just to take publicity from the inaugural season of the NSWRL they held a Jubilee Carnival celebrating the codes 50th anniversary.

 

[Rob]

The AFL will "base" the Gold Coast club out of the GABBA but play a majority of games on the Gold Coast.

The Government will budge if push comes to shove anyway, it would be political suicide to deprive the Gold Coast of the economic benefits of a football team because of a stupid clause. Its the kind of clause that doesn't effect much but could make a lot of noise.

Exactly. Why would the government enforce a clause in a contract that would achieve no more games for the Gabba, but piss off a lot of Gold Coasters? Would take much of a PR budget for the AFL to get it waived. Hell, you could come to an agreement to play 3 games a year at the Gabba, which would be 3 more than if there was no team at all.

 

[genghiskhan]

Exactly. Why would the government enforce a clause in a contract that would achieve no more games for the Gabba, but piss off a lot of Gold Coasters? Would take much of a PR budget for the AFL to get it waived. Hell, you could come to an agreement to play 3 games a year at the Gabba, which would be 3 more than if there was no team at all.

The government wants to protect its investment in the Titans. The AFL's move north seems more to be about stifling the growth of League and soccer than genuinely wanting to grow. This from the news

"AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday that the commission had agreed to once more offer a lucrative package or packages to Victorian clubs as the league seeks to foil the expansion ambitions of rugby league and soccer. "

With that attitude, AFL, NRL and FFA clubs on the Gold Coast could all go under, which is not a desirable outcome for the government at all.

 

[Subprime]

The government wants to protect its investment in the Titans. The AFL's move north seems more to be about stifling the growth of League and soccer than genuinely wanting to grow. This from the news

"AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday that the commission had agreed to once more offer a lucrative package or packages to Victorian clubs as the league seeks to foil the expansion ambitions of rugby league and soccer. "

With that attitude, AFL, NRL and FFA clubs on the Gold Coast could all go under, which is not a desirable outcome for the government at all.

What you bolded is not a quote. Check for yourself :

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23436745-2722,00.html

 

[Holding The Ball]

Uh-oh.

Wheels are falling off the Gold Coast bandwagon before its even left the garage.

Too funny.

 

[walhawk]

This is not news.

We all knew about that contract. It has been discussed on this forum a million times.

The compromise will be a few games at the Gabba (V Lions, Pies or Bombers) plus all finals, at least until Carrara is redeveloped.

 

[MickZu]

Uh-oh.

Wheels are falling off the Gold Coast bandwagon before its even left the garage.

Too funny.

Yeah most North Melbourne supporters are wishful thinkers!!

Double membership anyone?

 

[Zvim]

With the GC team playing its big matches, and probably finals, at the gabba, I cant see the queensland government not adjusting the contract.

For the adjustment over the last couple of years of a long term contract that will actually increase the number of games at the gabba in the longer term would seem to make sence.

They wont adjust it. AFL is moving to GC because of the Titans and because of soccer so the AFL's plan is to cause the other clubs to suffer or die, the QLD government would want to give those clubs time to establish so they would not be at threat.

 

[fishmonger]

Good luck with that, where would they play and where would the support come from, it's not like the AFL is a big sport there, quite small actually.

You couldn't call them a GC team and base them out of somewhere else, it would be laughed out of whatever town they hocked the club off too.

Last I checked Tweed Heads was part of the Gold Coast, just located across the border in New South Wales.

If you remember, that is where the Gold Coast Seagulls were located.

They can be considered both NSW and QLD club there (this would also mean 3 "viable" clubs in NSW wow !!).

And AFL is growing in popularity on the North Coast. I know plenty of people in Lismore who were big league fans who now love footy. It is a short day trip to the Gold Coast for these guys.

Whatever public transport solution is worked out for the Gold Coast, it is sure to extend as far as Tweed Heads, and there is plenty of land there.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Last I checked Tweed Heads was part of the Gold Coast, just located across the border in New South Wales.

If you remember, that is where the Gold Coast Seagulls were located.

They can be considered both NSW and QLD club there (this would also mean 3 "viable" clubs in NSW wow !!).

And AFL is growing in popularity on the North Coast. I know plenty of people in Lismore who were big league fans who now love footy. It is a short day trip to the Gold Coast for these guys.

Whatever public transport solution is worked out for the Gold Coast, it is sure to extend as far as Tweed Heads, and there is plenty of land there.

And what happened you numpties, the Gold Coast didn't support them, do you honestly think anythings changed?

And yeah fishy, you know AFL blah blah blah, it's really popular, blah blah blah.

The North Coast is AFL heartland blah blah blah.

 

[nescri]

Last I checked Tweed Heads was part of the Gold Coast, just located across the border in New South Wales.

Anyone living in the Tweed Valley would find that very offensive.

 If you remember, that is where the Gold Coast Seagulls were located.

Seagulls rugby league club is still located on the tweed, and very successful on the field.
What you dont know is that the Seagulls were the richest Leagues club in Australia at the time.

 And AFL is growing in popularity on the North Coast. I know plenty of people in Lismore who were big league fans who now love footy. It is a short day trip to the Gold Coast for these guys.

Does Lismore even have an AussieRules team? Ive never heard of them?
Im sure everyone on the Northern Rivers has heard of these clubs though:
.Casino RSM
.Grafton Ghosts
.Lismore Marist Brothers
....lets not forget the Kyogle Turkeys
(yes the Northern Rivers, where Tweed is located, not the North Coast)

 Whatever public transport solution is worked out for the Gold Coast, it is sure to extend as far as Tweed Heads, and there is plenty of land there.

The Gold Coast has the worst public transport in any Australian city i know of. And public transport on the tweed is even worse. Although the Tugan bypass makes travelling by car alot easier. Whenever thats completed..

 

[Doctor Jolly]

They wont adjust it. AFL is moving to GC because of the Titans and because of soccer so the AFL's plan is to cause the other clubs to suffer or die, the QLD government would want to give those clubs time to establish so they would not be at threat.

You North supporters are embarrasing. Stop playing the Victim.

 

[jackmac7]

It's a stupid clause that will probably be sorted out and thrown put

 

[erpel9999]

The clause in the gabba contract was put in to protect the Queensland governments multi-million dollar investment in THE GABBA.
It is no different to the Docklands clause that there will be no stadiums of a similar size built in melbourne until 2010 (contributing to the delay on the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium).

There is no ulterior motives or protectionism going on except for their investment in the Gabba.

I am sure the AFL could pay adequate compensation to break the contract, if they choose but the contract will not be "just thrown out" as that would defeat the whole purpose of putting it there in the first place.

 

[Rob]

The clause in the gabba contract was put in to protect the Queensland governments multi-million dollar investment in THE GABBA.
It is no different to the Docklands clause that there will be no stadiums of a similar size built in melbourne until 2010 (contributing to the delay on the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium).

There is no ulterior motives or protectionism going on except for their investment in the Gabba.

Exactly. Which is why if the Queensland government was offered the choice of having a GC side play 3 games a year there or none at all, they are likely to choose the former, especially given the political miles they can get by loosening the deal.

 

[Professor Knowall]

The government wants to protect its investment in the Titans. The AFL's move north seems more to be about stifling the growth of League and soccer than genuinely wanting to grow. This from the news ...

Unbelievable - First you say that the Queensland Governament is wanting to "protect" the English codes from the expansion of Australian Football.

Then you suggest the AFL is only expanding Australian Football for "... stifling the growth of League and soccer than genuinely wanting to grow. ...".

Well, is that the same as when the English codes want to expand - to "... stifle the growth of Australian Football than genuinely wanting to grow. ...".

Completely illogical and idiotic argument. They simply want to expand the game - just like all the others. No different.

Then you tell a bare faced lie -

...This from the news

"AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday that the commission had agreed to once more offer a lucrative package or packages to Victorian clubs as the league seeks to foil the expansion ambitions of rugby league and soccer. "

Yeah, well we've read that article, and Vlad never said that at all - it was just a quote from another BS News Ltd (you know, the American based multin-national media company that control the NRL) journo hack, Patrick Smith. At least try and be a bit honest here.

With that attitude, AFL, NRL and FFA clubs on the Gold Coast could all go under, which is not a desirable outcome for the government at all.

You really are sh..ting yourself about the AFL expansion aren't you?? That perfactly explains why your'e torturing yourself on an AFL expansion forum.

BTW - That News Ltd article that started this thread is very old news - we've even debated it on this board over the last few months. But that's not the way it was written up by News Ltd, was it?

 

[genghiskhan]

Unbelievable - First you say that the Queensland Governament is wanting to "protect" the English codes from the expansion of Australian Football.

Then you suggest the AFL is only expanding Australian Football for "... stifling the growth of League and soccer than genuinely wanting to grow. ...".

Well, is that the same as when the English codes want to expand - to "... stifle the growth of Australian Football than genuinely wanting to grow. ...".

Completely illogical and idiotic argument. They simply want to expand the game - just like all the others. No different.

Then you tell a bare faced lie -



Yeah, well we've read that article, and Vlad never said that at all - it was just a quote from another BS News Ltd (you know, the American based multin-national media company that control the NRL) journo hack, Patrick Smith. At least try and be a bit honest here.



You really are sh..ting yourself about the AFL expansion aren't you?? That perfactly explains why your'e torturing yourself on an AFL expansion forum.

BTW - That News Ltd article that started this thread is very old news - we've even debated it on this board over the last few months. But that's not the way it was written up by News Ltd, was it?

You know, it is possible to like two codes of football. People who do like two codes are always more able to objectively assess the strengths and weakness of expansionist policies because they are not likely to think things like putting a Brisbane team on the Gold Coast, relocating Melbourne teams to Sydney are going to succeed just because the game itself is so wonderful.

Basic business strategy is to go for market share. This means growing your own product, but also reducing the share of the market that a competitor has. For this reason, companies will often buy a rival business, and simply shut it down. Even if the business suffers in the short run by putting market share above overall profits, in the long run, it should be able to recoup those profits and more. From a business perspective, it is better for the AFL to spend money to ensure there are no rgby league teams on the Gold Coast, than not spend money and there be a successful rugby league team. Ultimately, the AFL wants to be the sole player in the market (as do all the codes.) I am not saying that out of any bias towards AFL or against it. As I said previously, I like both codes. I wouldn't know anything about either code if I didn't like both.

The Queensland government is not trying to protect English codes, it is trying to ensure that the Gold Coast has a professional sporting team. Historically, it has been very difficult to get one club to survive on the Gold Coast, let alone three. It makes perfect business sense for them to protect the established code and so ensure it doesn't follow the path trodden by other professional teams in the region.