Some other interesting points in that article.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360573597/christchurch-united-chase-place-oceania-pro-league-football-competition
“At the moment, the A-League is not sustainable [for a new club],” Meyn said.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360573597/christchurch-united-chase-place-oceania-pro-league-football-competition
“At the moment, the A-League is not sustainable [for a new club],” Meyn said.
A-League clubs are expected to pay a $25 million licence fee and the competion has had declining revenue from TV rights.
Meyn believed there would be keen interest in Pro League places, but he felt Christchurch should have a strong case with the South Island being “the biggest island’’ without a professional club.
Christchurch United - with current first team coach Ryan Edwards as general manager - was already working on its application, Meyn said.
He said one of the biggest attractions of the Pro League was its pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup finals.
The OFC has confirmed that the most successful Pro League team over a three-year period will represent Oceania at the Club World Cup.
That raises the question of whether New Zealand’s current two professional clubs, Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, will attempt to enter their second teams in the Pro League.
New Zealand’s A-League clubs are currently barred from participating in the Asian Champions League - the Asian Football Confederation (AFC’s) route to the Club World Cup - because they are not registered with the AFC.
Meyn believes the incentive of a Club World Cup place could encourage some European clubs to apply for Pro League franchises.
The Pro League will get significant financial backing from FIFA for the first few years, but clubs are expected to demonstrate financial sustainability and have professional training facilities and academies.
There are complex issues for the nation’s largely amateur clubs - who currently receive public funding - from applying to join a professional league.
There are complex issues for the nation’s largely amateur clubs - who currently receive public funding - from applying to join a professional league.
Pro League clubs will be required to contract up to 23 professional players for at least seven months. Clubs will be restricted to a maximum of six players from outside their own country, including three from non-OFC nations.
There is likely to be a 30-day stand down before Pro League players would be cleared to play at amateur level.
Auckland City - who have won 12 New Zealand national league premierships and a record 12 Oceania Champions League titles and who will represent the confederation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup finals in June-July - are keeping “ a watching brief’’ on the Pro League proposal.
“Right now, our focus is on preparing for the season ahead, particularly the FIFA Club World Cup and everything that comes with it - a lot,’’ Auckland City general manager Gordon Watson said.
“We always maintain an open dialogue with football stakeholders across the region, but at this stage, there’s nothing further to add regarding the new Oceania league.