The current investigation by Internal Affairs and the SFO into pokie funding is a big threat to the ASB Prem, and all football clubs in general.
Probe launched into pokie grants
The key line in the DIA's statement is "The wider community is disadvantaged if one group can gain preferential access to grant funding from gambling proceeds".
Regardless of which trusts are actually involved if this investigation goes the distance and results in any prosecutions or fines it is going to make all trusts look more seriously at how fairly they distribute funds. I think ASB Prem franchises, in particular, could be exposed to some push back from the wider community about whether they represent a good use of funds.
It's a shame Te Ururoa Flavell's recent bill wasn't really up to the task because the whole system needs an overhaul. As much as people will say "no way" I'd like to see more centralised distribution of funds i.e. NZF makes one application for funding for the ASB Prem and distributes it evenly to franchises, rather than franchises all doing their own thing. Much more transparency (and hopefully efficiency) that way.
I think there is some merit in your suggestion about NZF making one application for trust funding and trying to make the ASBP a more level playing field. However this would require NZF putting the ASBP top of their priorities, not near the bottom.
I also think some ASBP franchises don't put in as much effort as others into securing trust or sponsorship funding and so is it right that the more organized outfits have to subsidize the less organized? Shouldn't the franchises who are struggling try to aspire to what the successful franchises like ACFC have done, rather than take resources off ACFC?
I do think trust funding is going to be harder to get in future so isn't the answer for NZF to finally pull its fat gold-ringed finger out and raise and invest some serious money in its own national league. Football is the most successful and marketable sport in the world except for NZ and that is because of poor management at the top. We can have a successful ASBP and Phoenix together - NZF have a vertible goldmine in its Oceania route to the World Cup and Confederations cup, the national league shouldn't be playing in open fields in front of a handful of spectators with no TV coverage!
$150 a game! get real JV. They don't get out of bed in the Northern League for that!