Auckland FC - Once the Knights, Always the Knights

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Cool. Exciting. 
I hope they just go with FC Auckland or Auckland FC, and then run a public competition to choose a moniker.

A search of the companies register for likely names unveils an "Auckland Football Limited" registered in July 2023 with a 1 director/shareholder being someone who has links to the NZ Breakers NBL basketball franchise...

ClubOranje

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Auckland Charms, as in Third times a charm. Or Auckland Strikes, as in three strikes and you're out.

reubee

A search of the companies register for likely names unveils an "Auckland Football Limited" registered in July 2023 with a 1 director/shareholder being someone who has links to the NZ Breakers NBL basketball franchise...

Barstool sports are a bit toxic on the macho side of things in the states. Though haven’t heard of any recent culture issues at the Breakers. How many of their boys were in Pero Cameron’s NZ team? That team seemed to play with heart and without unnecessary ego. 
Interesting.

Could be an interesting owner mix. Wonder if there is any NZers featured or just rich yanks. 

martinb

reubee

A search of the companies register for likely names unveils an "Auckland Football Limited" registered in July 2023 with a 1 director/shareholder being someone who has links to the NZ Breakers NBL basketball franchise...

Barstool sports are a bit toxic on the macho side of things in the states. Though haven’t heard of any recent culture issues at the Breakers. How many of their boys were in Pero Cameron’s NZ team? That team seemed to play with heart and without unnecessary ego. 
Interesting.

Holy wow that's a stretch. 
In a Google search, I can't see what Marc Mitchell's relationship is/was to the Breakers. Does anyone know what it is?

billyspleen75

martinb

reubee

A search of the companies register for likely names unveils an "Auckland Football Limited" registered in July 2023 with a 1 director/shareholder being someone who has links to the NZ Breakers NBL basketball franchise...

Barstool sports are a bit toxic on the macho side of things in the states. Though haven’t heard of any recent culture issues at the Breakers. How many of their boys were in Pero Cameron’s NZ team? That team seemed to play with heart and without unnecessary ego. 
Interesting.

Holy wow that's a stretch. 
In a Google search, I can't see what Marc Mitchell's relationship is/was to the Breakers. Does anyone know what it is?

On February 27, 2020, Mitchell joined the ownership group and Executive Board of the New Zealand Breakers, a
member club of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL). As a team owner, Mitchell will use his diverse
professional background to work on marketing and branding, public-private partnerships, international expansion,
and youth-focused health and wellness programs.

Wow, It doesn't seem that long ago that the consensus on this forum was that an AKL A-League franchise was doomed to fail, just like the Knights, because "JAFAs aren't loyal fans", "traffic is too bad", "there are no good stadiums" etc

billyspleen75

martinb

reubee

A search of the companies register for likely names unveils an "Auckland Football Limited" registered in July 2023 with a 1 director/shareholder being someone who has links to the NZ Breakers NBL basketball franchise...

Barstool sports are a bit toxic on the macho side of things in the states. Though haven’t heard of any recent culture issues at the Breakers. How many of their boys were in Pero Cameron’s NZ team? That team seemed to play with heart and without unnecessary ego. 
Interesting.

Holy wow that's a stretch. 
In a Google search, I can't see what Marc Mitchell's relationship is/was to the Breakers. Does anyone know what it is?

What part? Someone mentioned a Breakers connection. Haven’t watched them in years, but I assume I watched some of their players at the recent WC. There was concern about the Barstool sports connection from the beginning, but a bit of a google shows that this Mitchell bloke wasn’t in that initial group? 

So who is he and why’s he keen to throw money into the hole marked soccer-football? Guess we’ll find out in due time…

martinb

billyspleen75

martinb

reubee

A search of the companies register for likely names unveils an "Auckland Football Limited" registered in July 2023 with a 1 director/shareholder being someone who has links to the NZ Breakers NBL basketball franchise...

Barstool sports are a bit toxic on the macho side of things in the states. Though haven’t heard of any recent culture issues at the Breakers. How many of their boys were in Pero Cameron’s NZ team? That team seemed to play with heart and without unnecessary ego. 
Interesting.

Holy wow that's a stretch. 
In a Google search, I can't see what Marc Mitchell's relationship is/was to the Breakers. Does anyone know what it is?

What part? Someone mentioned a Breakers connection. Haven’t watched them in years, but I assume I watched some of their players at the recent WC. There was concern about the Barstool sports connection from the beginning, but a bit of a google shows that this Mitchell bloke wasn’t in that initial group? 

So who is he and why’s he keen to throw money into the hole marked soccer-football? Guess we’ll find out in due time…

 maybe the other Breakers owners with Swansea connections are involved

Doloras

Wow, It doesn't seem that long ago that the consensus on this forum was that an AKL A-League franchise was doomed to fail, just like the Knights, because "JAFAs aren't loyal fans", "traffic is too bad", "there are no good stadiums" etc

Consensus? I don't think a poll has been taken. It certainly has not been my opinion.

Bullion

Doloras

Wow, It doesn't seem that long ago that the consensus on this forum was that an AKL A-League franchise was doomed to fail, just like the Knights, because "JAFAs aren't loyal fans", "traffic is too bad", "there are no good stadiums" etc

Consensus? I don't think a poll has been taken. It certainly has not been my opinion.

Reading this old thread you were one of the few voices in favour of the idea. Everyone else was "no-one will go see an Auckland A-League team in a rugby town".

You very recently yourself Doloras said it wasn't going to happen. 

coochiee

You very recently yourself Doloras said it wasn't going to happen. 

Yes, because I found it hard to believe (still do, in fact) that anyone has $25 million to throw around in this economy. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, or wouldn't succeed if set up.

In my defence, I may be spending more time than is good for me on Aussie football forums, where the consensus is that the A-League is doomed to go bankrupt very soon

Yes was on an Aussie forum briefly the other day where were lots of opinions anyone willing to throw $25M into a Canberra or Auckland bid is bonkers.

So will be interesting if they disclose how much & and how it will be paid re the Franchise entry fee.

Doloras

coochiee

You very recently yourself Doloras said it wasn't going to happen. 

Yes, because I found it hard to believe (still do, in fact) that anyone has $25 million to throw around in this economy. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, or wouldn't succeed if set up.

In my defence, I may be spending more time than is good for me on Aussie football forums, where the consensus is that the A-League is doomed to go bankrupt very soon

Doesn’t matter the economic climate. If it rains, someone is making money on umbrellas and gumboots.

ClubOranje

Doloras

coochiee

You very recently yourself Doloras said it wasn't going to happen. 

Yes, because I found it hard to believe (still do, in fact) that anyone has $25 million to throw around in this economy. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, or wouldn't succeed if set up.

In my defence, I may be spending more time than is good for me on Aussie football forums, where the consensus is that the A-League is doomed to go bankrupt very soon

Doesn’t matter the economic climate. If it rains, someone is making money on umbrellas and gumboots.

The global economy will have impacted a lot of the owners massively, which probably explains a bit of a pull back form the spending for this season.....does it mean the league is screwed? Maybe not, I'd be more concerned if all clubs were spending up large and not focussing on future viability.

Doloras

Bullion

Doloras

Wow, It doesn't seem that long ago that the consensus on this forum was that an AKL A-League franchise was doomed to fail, just like the Knights, because "JAFAs aren't loyal fans", "traffic is too bad", "there are no good stadiums" etc

Consensus? I don't think a poll has been taken. It certainly has not been my opinion.

Reading this old thread you were one of the few voices in favour of the idea. Everyone else was "no-one will go see an Auckland A-League team in a rugby town".

Good to see I, imho, made excellent points for expansion to Akl.

ClubOranje

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Well it doesn't look like this is happening today

YouCanCallMeAl

ClubOranje

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Well it doesn't look like this is happening today

Would have been an odd day to make an annoucement with some focus on Olympic qualifying tourney games today in Aucks.
Most of the 09 football media today at Mt Smart.

YouCanCallMeAl

ClubOranje

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Well it doesn't look like this is happening today

Who were your sources, CO :D

Which forums and clubs have been privileged with your presence Doloras?

Doloras

YouCanCallMeAl

ClubOranje

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Well it doesn't look like this is happening today

Who were your sources, CO :D

Hmm. Apologies, it appears I was misinformed. On timing at least. Or not listening, which is equally likely.

Edit:
“It is understood the prospect of an announcement being made on Wednesday was being discussed as late as Tuesday evening, but that didn’t eventuate.”
From the article below, so I’ll take that, and my breakers reference. And I’ll go for the trifecta with my vague tennis reference.

RR

Breakers minority owner Marc Mitchell at centre of Auckland A-Leagues bid https://t.co/yRvu7mXHyi

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) September 6, 2023

 How did we miss the instagram page? Patty Gower's following it !!

ClubOranje

Doloras

YouCanCallMeAl

ClubOranje

News on Auckland franchise breaks tomorrow. 
They’ll serve it up Midday I’m guessing expecting.
Auckland Swans?

Well it doesn't look like this is happening today

Who were your sources, CO :D

Hmm. Apologies, it appears I was misinformed. On timing at least. Or not listening, which is equally likely.

Edit:
“It is understood the prospect of an announcement being made on Wednesday was being discussed as late as Tuesday evening, but that didn’t eventuate.”
From the article below, so I’ll take that, and my breakers reference. And I’ll go for the trifecta with my vague tennis reference.

Ok spill the beans, what's the tennis angle?

RR

Breakers minority owner Marc Mitchell at centre of Auckland A-Leagues bid https://t.co/yRvu7mXHyi

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) September 6, 2023

"All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said that he expected the new franchise to learn from the mistakes of his old team the Knights, and not sign players like himself"

It’s coming home 

That phrase will get the rivalry off to a start. The amount of obnoxious behavior associated with it…

d

martinb

That phrase will get the rivalry off to a start. The amount of obnoxious behavior associated with it…

I think the Auckland JAFAs should set themselves the goal of becoming the most obnoxious, loathed active support in the entire league. Worse than the RBB and the OSM put together.

Marketing will be key.

Whoever is in charge should make a point of making big statements... the A League would be idiots not to make the new franchises first game at home against Welly.

I expect things like:

Mindless dribble, but designed to create a us and them mentality people can get behind an have a laugh at.

I would definately travel to the above... as would nearly every adult playing male I know!!

Ouch. Nasty memories of when I'd go to ACFC games and they'd do anti-Nix chants.

This is going to divide a nation 

Feverish

This is going to divide a nation 

but in the background the two fan groups will be scheming to raise the profile of the game in the country

sneaky-plotting[1].gif 134.53 KB

MetalLegNZ

Marketing will be key.

Whoever is in charge should make a point of making big statements... the A League would be idiots not to make the new franchises first game at home against Welly.

I expect things like:

• Auckland, the real home of football in NZ
• Auckland, footballs big brother has come home to teach little Wellington a lesson.
• NIX - the only team to go longer than the KING/KNIGHTS without a trophy!

Mindless dribble, but designed to create a us and them mentality people can get behind an have a laugh at.

I would definately travel to the above... as would nearly every adult playing male I know!!

This is Huawei Capital Cup erasure and I for one will not stand for it. 

Doloras

coochiee

You very recently yourself Doloras said it wasn't going to happen. 

Yes, because I found it hard to believe (still do, in fact) that anyone has $25 million to throw around in this economy. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, or wouldn't succeed if set up.

In my defence, I may be spending more time than is good for me on Aussie football forums, where the consensus is that the A-League is doomed to go bankrupt very soon

At this point I'm assuming this Auckland team is a done deal. Apart from the obvious positives this will give NZ football (again assuming the Auckland team is now going to be a thing), does anyone think that this should put to rest at least some of the concerns that the A-League is going to collapse?

No investor is going to put so much money into an investment if it has a chance of completely collapsing right? I would assume that the A-Leagues would have had to open their books to the potential new investors since no one will invest that amount of money without at least checking the financial stability of their investment.

anaveragestem

Doloras

coochiee

You very recently yourself Doloras said it wasn't going to happen. 

Yes, because I found it hard to believe (still do, in fact) that anyone has $25 million to throw around in this economy. Not that it wouldn't be a good idea, or wouldn't succeed if set up.

In my defence, I may be spending more time than is good for me on Aussie football forums, where the consensus is that the A-League is doomed to go bankrupt very soon

At this point I'm assuming this Auckland team is a done deal. Apart from the obvious positives this will give NZ football (again assuming the Auckland team is now going to be a thing), does anyone think that this should put to rest at least some of the concerns that the A-League is going to collapse?

No investor is going to put so much money into an investment if it has a chance of completely collapsing right? I would assume that the A-Leagues would have had to open their books to the potential new investors since no one will invest that amount of money without at least checking the financial stability of their investment.

Well, no. The argument being made is that the A-League has become a Ponzi scheme, i.e. the bills of the existing competition are being paid by the increasingly eye-watering fees to be paid by new entrants, which in turn have to be justified by somehow making the money back later. Unless attendances and/or broadcasting fees increase by some megaboss amount, it's unsustainable.

Well seemingly this Marc Mitchell has a stronger business nous than most of us. Plus he's been living in NZ, so has some understanding of the football landscape in Auckland and potential growth or lack thereof.

Maybe the Franchise Fee payment is a payment system has others have suggested, whereby certain metrics have to be met re payment. That could work both ways. The club having to hit certain metrics, plus also the league as whole needing to meet certain income parameters - and so the new club only making those franchise fee payments if their share of APL revenue hits certain benchmarks.

It certainly won't have hurt the league and APL, that Mitchell and any fellow investors have just witnessed a hugely successful WWC with bumper crowds in NZ, including Auckland.

Mitchell, an American now based in Auckland, took up a small ownership share of the Breakers in 2020, according to a profile of him on the Watertower Ventures website, which describes him as “an attorney and entrepreneur who has managed the financial, business, and legal affairs of several influential technology and media companies”.