The National Second Division/Tier (NSD/T), will be launched in 12 months if it happens. It maybe that the APL wait to see what clubs enter that comp, where they are located, size of their crowds, financial solidity etc etc before looking at further expanison.
But like the MLS, the A League financial model is at least partly dependant on receiving these new licence expansion fees ($18M per team or whatever). That's unless yes the APl can negotiate a bigger TV deal in 2 years, to reduce some of the financial uncertainity. They have a longer term plan to get to 20 teams and then split into A1 & A2, with pro/rel. That could be 17 Aussie teams & 3 NZ teams. Is ambitious, maybe even fantasy stuff - but they could get there. ChCh, Tassie, 2nd Brisbane (or Gold Coast), 2nd Perth, the Gong and South Melbourne. There's your 20.
If somehow a group in ChCh (is there another American billionaire out there in love with NZ?) can come up with $18M-$25M in 2 years (increase to 16 teams), and alternative new expansion teams in Aus are struggling to raise the dosh - as the APL you take the "bird in the hand" with it's immediate million cashflow injection right? Based out of a great new roofed stadium. Then you just sooth any Aussie fan anger about too many Kiwi teams, by selling them the eventual further expansion to 20 teams (A1/A2) with more Aussie teams to come. Plus South Melbourne, Sydney United 58, Brisbane Strikers and the like have their NSD/T to kick around in, until the APL invite new teams into the A1/A2.
If Auckland FC is a success, but Canberra a bit more of a struggle - then that would push the case a bit that NZ deserves a 3rd team.
But like the MLS, the A League financial model is at least partly dependant on receiving these new licence expansion fees ($18M per team or whatever). That's unless yes the APl can negotiate a bigger TV deal in 2 years, to reduce some of the financial uncertainity. They have a longer term plan to get to 20 teams and then split into A1 & A2, with pro/rel. That could be 17 Aussie teams & 3 NZ teams. Is ambitious, maybe even fantasy stuff - but they could get there. ChCh, Tassie, 2nd Brisbane (or Gold Coast), 2nd Perth, the Gong and South Melbourne. There's your 20.
If somehow a group in ChCh (is there another American billionaire out there in love with NZ?) can come up with $18M-$25M in 2 years (increase to 16 teams), and alternative new expansion teams in Aus are struggling to raise the dosh - as the APL you take the "bird in the hand" with it's immediate million cashflow injection right? Based out of a great new roofed stadium. Then you just sooth any Aussie fan anger about too many Kiwi teams, by selling them the eventual further expansion to 20 teams (A1/A2) with more Aussie teams to come. Plus South Melbourne, Sydney United 58, Brisbane Strikers and the like have their NSD/T to kick around in, until the APL invite new teams into the A1/A2.
If Auckland FC is a success, but Canberra a bit more of a struggle - then that would push the case a bit that NZ deserves a 3rd team.