Independent A-League

Word out of Straya is Greg O'Rourke is to be the inaugural CEO of new look A-league?

Is that good for us?

Greg's been quite supportive of Nix recently, so I'd say yes.

The news just keeps getting better. A real club, with a real future. Go the Nix!

 Fax

"O'Rourke has been busy preparing for the professional game's new future in recent weeks and was in France while the Matildas were still alive in the Women's World Cup, meeting with representatives from the US National Women's Soccer League to discuss a formal alignment with the W-League. It's believed O'Rourke will head to America later this month to continue those talks."

https://soundcloud.com/tabradio/tony-sage on independemt league

Wasn't today the day where they'd announce the transition plan?

Ozzie pundits expecting presser today, with O'Rourke confirmed as CEO of the league

What have we missed

"In the A-League it's all quiet with the Head of A-League Greg O'Rourke and his staff now reporting to the A-League clubs and not FFA, while fans wait - still - for the 2019-20 fixture list".

Football Today understands that, just as when a government changes hands and points the finger of blame on the prevailing budgetary situation at their predecessors, the A-League clubs have taken over to find that the underlying financial position is 'worse' than they were led to believe. City Football Group 'consultants' are running the ruler over simply everything and are the chief source of advice and recommendations to the now independent A-League clubs. Let's hope CFG's consultants understand the Australian football environment a little better than Melbourne City has to date demonstrated. However, in their defence, CFG would claim that commercial self-determination will make the difference.

Sauce

From behind Pay Wall

A-League club owners have begun a “first 100 days” blitz to revolutionise the way the competition is marketed and run, with widespread investment promised to combat sliding ratings and attendances.After years spent wresting control of their own competition from Football Federation Australia, owners revealed plans to hitting the ground running with transfers between clubs, prize money for successful teams, a 16-team expansion plan and — most immediately — a digital-led campaign to drive awareness among sports fans.The plans were presented to CEOs, coaches and staff of the clubs at a two-day summit in Double Bay.Officials described the owners’ presentation as “evangelical” in underlining the urgent need to combat the sense of inertia that has gripped the competition for the past two seasons.

The 100 days appears to spring from the August 1 date that the clubs effectively began running the league through to the early rounds of the new season, with promises from the owners of immediate spending on higher quality digital engagement, and mimicking ticketing strategies used in other codes successfully via social media campaigns.Club officials said the presentation, led by Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow and Melbourne City vice chairman Simon Pearce, plotted a pathway into the future to include a 16-team competition via a regionally targeted expansion plan and an international “roadshow” seeking fresh investment.The competition has had 10 teams since 2012 but welcomes an 11th club, Western United, this coming season, with Macarthur United joining the season after.

All footballing elements of the A-League are up for discussion in the new model, the owners said, with the salary cap under review and consideration of prize money being awarded based on performance.The minor premiers would get a share of that, while a season opener inspired by England’s Community Shield would pit the minor premiers against the champions. A “sinking fund” would be established to support clubs struggling financially.Much of the presentation compared the A-League with leagues overseas in benchmarks from attendances to squad value, with the owners making clear they expect their plans to quickly reverse Australia’s decline compared with other countries.
The new strategy was presented as a reboot of the competition, with coaches and football staff told that the league will try to innovate with both its broadcast access and its rules, aiming to be a competition that allows FIFA to trial initiatives — as it did with VAR.Under the agreement reached in June between the clubs and the member federations that run the game at grassroots level, the clubs will pay a percentage of their broadcast revenue to FFA each year to be allowed to run their own competition, though not for the first four seasons.Much of the blueprint echoes the establishment of the English Premier League, including the competition’s referees being spun off into a separate body independent of the clubs and FFA.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/a-league-club-owners-launch-100-days-blueprint-to-kickstart-competitions-renewal-ng-fcc159fd8c3a0e41b42b4ddf7efd8962

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/soccer/auckland-team-could-join-wellington-phoenix-in-a-league-20190814-p52h4m.html

Auckland team could join Wellington Phoenix in A-League

The A-League's independence from Football Federation Australia could see Wellington Phoenix remain in the competition for the long term – and the New Zealanders could be joined by another club from their homeland, with an Auckland franchise flagged for 2023.

Wellington's licence was to be reviewed at the end of this season by FFA but it appears the Phoenix's existence will be safe for the foreseeable future now that A-League club owners are set to assume ownership of the competition, transitioning all licences away from FFA.

The Sydney Morning Herald understands several club owners are unwilling to sever ties with the Phoenix's ownership group despite Wellington's meagre contribution to broadcast revenue, audiences and attendances both home and away.

"As far as the owners are concerned, we back Wellington Phoenix all the way," one club chairman said. "Their franchise is part of the A-League."

Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison is a popular figure within the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association – the body representing the A-League club owners – with club sources suggesting they will respect the investment in the club and his preference to keep his licence in the New Zealand capital.

It's understood formal discussions on Wellington's future are yet to take place between the clubs and FFA as they prioritise planning for the upcoming season. Club owners and FFA have toiled together to attract interest in a crucial year for the A-League in which they hope to bring crowds back to games and audiences to TV coverage.

After years of dwindling interest, clubs feel more incentive to invest under the new ownership structure. Now that they will retain the bulk of A-League revenue, APFCA are determined to drive interest in the game not only for the wellbeing of the code and competition but also to increase the sale price of licences in future rounds of expansion.

Western United from West Melbourne and Geelong will enter the competition this season, and the Campbelltown-based Macarthur FC will make their A-League debut next year. At this stage, it is likely the new entity running the A-League will initiate the next stage of expansion in 2021 by inviting bids from pre-determined markets. Two new teams could then be announced in 2022, providing those winning bids with at least a full year to prepare for their debut seasons in 2023 when the next TV deal will begin.

Unlike the previous round of expansion in which FFA invited bids from all over the country before deciding on its preferred markets, the next stage of expansion under the guidance of the club owners will only invite bids from specific markets. While those won't be finalised for up to two years, club sources suggest a number of owners are already fancying the prospect of inviting bids from Brisbane, Canberra and Auckland.

Of all the yet to be tapped markets, Auckland represents the largest population base without an A-League team. A number of owners are attracted to its potential despite the previous failure of the New Zealand Knights. There is also a belief among some that an Auckland team will resuscitate Wellington Phoenix's popularity by providing a New Zealand derby that hinges on the existing rivalry between the two cities.

Several owners are sympathetic to Wellington's history of being granted only short-term licences from FFA, which has prohibited significant investment and long-term strategies being put in place. One club owner described the relationship between the A-League and New Zealand as "half pregnant", suggesting a stronger involvement could yield better rewards. However, any expansion involving Auckland would likely only come with greater assurances, investment and commitment from the country's governing body, New Zealand Football.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/soccer/auck...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Nix could become the junior team to Auckland .... the derby would be great .... 

16 teams with regional emphasis ... works for me...

Good to see Morrison getting some kudos from Aussie media.

Sounds ball will be in NZF's court, re a new Auckland side. Gulp.

Same story slightly edited by Stuff.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/115010457/auckland-team-could-join-wellington-phoenix-in-aleague

It would be a massive boost for NZ football, without any doubt.

An A League game in NZ every week (presuming they could arrange the draw that way), and 2-3 derbies a season could really catch the sporting focus over the summer months.

For me will be really interesting how big crowds are at Eden Park, for both Nix games this season. Esp if Nix ain't going that well. Game against Victory in Feb earlier this year, was almost perfect timing. Phoenix on roll, Kiwis like Singh & Cacace starring, balmy Friday night etc. How many will turn up, if things not going so well. I'm sure some at NZF will be watching closely. What's the public appetite for an Auckland A League side, and is EP the best venue to base a side.

Also is there enough football player depth in NZ for a 2nd team? I think so, but will be esp interesting to see how guys like McCowatt, TAWH & Payne go stepping up from the Handy Prem. All Aucklanders to boot.

Would need Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs to work together to achive.

Funding obviously shapes as a massive hurdle. Lots of chatter but no Weenix equivalent group, or rich Auckland football tragic has appeared on the horizon yet.

Plus NZF appears a long way away at the moment, from being in a state to offer any meaningful support.

My impression is your Auckland football money and brains are locked into these 2 clubs. (Imo based on talk at league games)

1. Why would an Auckland owner have to be from Auckland?

2. What would be required from NZF?

If the A League is successful (as the owners wish it to be) then a solo club based in a 1.5 million city would attractive to an outside owner/group.

The A League has gone to great lengths to remove itself from FFA, why would they want NZF with their fingerprints on anything except giving permission for the club to operate?

The Phoenix wouldn't necessarily a junior team to Auckland.  Auckland isn't as dominant as you'd think in sports with Canterbury dominating the two main sports and Auckland not dominant in any of the professional sports, only some of the semi pro ones (like League, and Football). I'd imagine that the Phoenix would also be the NZ team and keep their fan base south of the Waikato which is a catchment of a couple of million.

Christchurch still seems like a more viable second kiwi team to me. Getting a new stadium which should be a good size, shape and location, have a history of getting behind sports teams, a lot of ex-pat poms down there, and most importantly in Slava Meyn they have a rich guy who will back them. To Aussies who aren't aware of local dynamics Auckland may look more attractive based on population size but knowing the issues with stadiums and transport there I don't think it really makes sense

Well the Media are sure stirring up a storm of publicity on the New A-League

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/aleagues-bold-plan-to-expand/news-story/b6293435a1bc270d89e7bb948d0f52ae

“A-League bosses will dictate where new clubs will be established, rather than accept bids from hopeful franchises with their own bases, under plans to expand to a 16-team competition. In a complete reversal from how the latest expansion sides Western United and Macarthur were chosen, the A-League will identify key markets driven by consumer numbers and TV eyeballs, and then invite bidders to pitch for licences in those geographical areas.An “international investment roadshow” will be launched to invite funds for new and existing franchises, with existing club owners revealing their hopes of adding up to four new teams in the next broadcast cycle, after the current one expires in 2023.After The Australian revealed the owners’ plans for a 100-day push to reignite interest in the competition, now they have taken control of it away from Football Federation Australia, more detail has emerged of how and where expansion is planned, even before the 11th and 12th sides to be added have kicked a ball.Western United will join this coming season and Macarthur the year after, the first additions to the league since Western Sydney Wanderers in 2012.In a presentation to A-League stakeholders, the owners made clear they want to expand the league ultimately by a further third, but reversing the methodology the FFA used in adding Western United and MacArthur.

The owners said they would immediately start identifying markets for expansion. Consortium's would be invited to bid for these specific licences, rather than choose their own base, and be judged on a transparent list of criteria — including stadium plans and commercial viability. Overseas investors will be targeted via the “roadshow” for new clubs but also to provide clubs such as the Central Coast Mariners with extra capital.The aim is to reach a 16-team competition where each team plays the other sides home and away, to reduce viewer fatigue at the current third round of games, with an expanded finals series.Officials briefed on the plans said the current season length of early October to mid-May would likely remain, to avoid clashes with other codes over ground availability and media interest.Though the final legal points of the A-League’s separation from FFA’s control are still being worked through, the owners have effectively taken control of the competition and are rushing to overhaul its marketing and presentation ahead of the October 11 starting date of the new season.

At a two-day summit in Sydney’s Double Bay, the owners have made clear the urgent need to put in place measures to address a 20 per cent fall in attendances since 2013, and a 40 per cent decline in TV viewers over the past three years.For two years the A-League has barely had a marketing campaign worthy of the name, but a catchy new season theme is at the heart of a digital-led drive to reignite awareness.With the league finally in their control following its uncoupling from Football Federation Australia, club owners are embarking on a bold push to reverse sinking ratings and attendances by re-capturing the imagination of the younger demographic.It’s understood the competition’s best marketers have been plucked from several clubs to work with high-profile advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi on a campaign set to feature a season theme targeting kids.The approach harks back to 2005, when a street football-heavy ad backed by a soundtrack to Scribe’s ‘Not Many’ encapsulated the optimistic sentiment of season one.Since then there haven’t been many — if any — carrying quite the same energy.That said, season 2012-13 started with a bang amid the excitement of the Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey triumvirate.And the BMF-led ‘You’ve Gotta Have a Team’ campaign of 2016-17, when 10-year-old boy Yoshi visited all 10 A-League clubs and ultimately decided to support Melbourne City, was deemed widely successful in terms of social media engagement and reaching peripheral fans.And yet the following year could not have been more different, with a low-key launch at a suburban ground in Port Melbourne more worthy of a local under-12 team than Australia’s professional league.

More often than not the season has kicked off with a whimper, lacking visibility in the direct aftermath of NRL and AFL grand finals. Even last season’s stirring ‘Where Heroes Are Made’, the first work from Saatchi and Saatchi which featured Sam Kerr and Tom Rogic and combined the launch of the A-League and W-League to give both equal prominence, failed to cut through in a season of miserable ratings.It’s understood club owners presented their blueprint to all coaches on Tuesday at Double Bay, and received a round of applause at its conclusion. It’s part of a “first 100 days” blitz to revolutionise the way the competition is marketed and run, which includes transfers between clubs, prize money for successful teams and the 16-team expansion plan.“

Sounds like they a plan versus the FFA bullying, mismanagement shark. Good times.

No the owner(s) wouldn't have to be from Auckland or NZ. Though from my limited knowledge of the various A League ownership groups, Melb City is the only one that seems to have a pretty stable overseas ownership model.

I guess NLWG is just indicating that there needs to be some visible support from NZF. Whether that's help with setting up an Academy similar to Weenix, help with setting up training facilities in Auckland, venues, sharing of admin/coaching resources, or just a general effort to help bring the Auckland football community together.

Morrison would have told NLWG a few home truths, about how the Nix have received little to no support from NZF. That needs to change.

I guess my question would be what can the Nix realistically do to be seen to add more to the A league? How can we improve TV viewership if KO times are scheduled to suit the Aussie market? And for the same reason, how can we increase home crowds?

I guess winning silverwear and generating more interest in the club nationally and in Aus would be a good start, but if we're simply looking at TV audience and home crowds I don't really know what we can realistically achieve.

Do Auckland deserve a team? I mean just look at what happened the last time they had one. 

Don’t tell me they would get 20k people at every game either. Last where was an exception I feel because of our form. 

Deserve? No-one deserves a team. Wellington doesn't, Melbourne doesn't deserve three. We've got to get past this kind of nastiness against other people trying to make things happen.

I would happily be a joint member of the Nix and the new Auckland A-League franchise, but would barrack for the Nix in derbies because they were there first. I am particularly interested in the idea that the new A-League will not wait for some AKL corporate tyrant to make a bid, but will actually roll into Auckland sometime in the next 5 years and try to actively rustle up support.

As for "transport and stadiums", such things are massively overstated by people who don't live in AKL, or are at least based on how things were 10-15 years ago. They've improved out of sight since the SuperCity moved a whole layer of meddling bureaucracy out of the way. I would not be happy to see the new AKL franchise based out in Albany; but since Eden Park is hurting for tenants right now, dare I hope against hope that it might be based in a stadium 10 minutes train ride from the city, once the City Rail Loop comes online.

Even though this article is mainly good news, it's written by the hateful FFA leak-dumpster/stenographer Dominic Bossi, and reading it sets my teeth on edge. Read how he sounds surprised and disappointed that the A-League clubs aren't throwing the Nix under the bus. Fudge that guy.

Well, it kind of cuts both ways. I don't think the FFA ever spent any money promoting the A League here. It's all been the club or Sky. In fact, the way the club has been treated with the licence issues and everything has had the opposite effect to promotion. To the casual local observer we look like a club constantly teetering on the edge of oblivion, which makes it hard to generate new fans or to counter that negative narrative. That's not our fault, that's the FFA's. An assured future might mean bigger home crowds. The club can do things like life memberships. Maybe make a deal for delayed games on free to air TV.

We also bring bigger away crowds than a lot of other clubs because of the kiwi ex-pat community in Aussies. And most importantly we are a financially stable team and that alone is a massive contribution to the league. Especially thinking of the issues with the Jets not being able to find new owners a few years ago, the Bakrie shambles at the Roar, CCM's struggles, and of course Gold Coast and North Queens land and Auckland all having gone bust since the league started. 

The scheduling point is a good one. Not just kickoff times (7pm Sunday is the biggest bulls hit ever) but they often schedule home games that clash with other events in Wellington or at times when there aren't many people in town like on long weekends. Hopefully we have more control over those decisions now

The Derby would be intense IMO... kinda like South Gosford FC [Flying Circus SFC] V MV....

Would love the banter too ... Auckland A-rse Kickers V Wellington Weaklings 

And Auckland to hold WC play off matches now. They could easily sell out Edan Park.` 

Done right, Auckland would get 15+ to most games imo.

Regarding talent.... there certainly is a lot more coming through so I think we would be able to support more than one team with domestic players.

I personally would love to see people like Reid and Wood get involved in an Auckland bid, both would be at the tail end of their careers, they could come as marquee player coaches... he'll even part owners... i'm just getting cauth up in have a derby dream!!

Some people need to also get over the nastiness, that making money is some type of sin. If it wasn't for the generosity of Rob Morrison and his "corporate tyrant" mates, there would not one single professional football team in NZ, let alone the chance of another.

From afar it seems Morrison is pushing the barrow of a 2nd NZ A League team, and if so he should be applauded. Whether he is a football tragic or not, his services to the game in NZ have been immense. Greater than many drawing a NZF salary at Albany the last few years.

I just can't see a scenario where Auckland gets 15k+ most games. The Blues don't get that many and they're playing the country's number one sport in the top professional competition in the world. The Warriors get about that many but they have a natural geographic catchment zone in South Auckland where league is really popular, and again they're playing in the top competition for their sport. The previous knights/kingz experiences were way less than that and although a lot has changed since then I don't think it's changed enough to get crowds in the 15k zone.

Would love to hear why people seem to think they would get 15k plus crowds. NOTHING in their past attempts has shown anty reason for this optimism. Apart from a couple of games there has certainly been nothing in the games the  Phoenix have taken up there that this would be the case. Probably wouldnt make much from ticket sales any way as all most seem interested in getting was either free or cheap tickets.

Dont get me wrong would be great to be able to have derby games but dont kid yourselves we struggle to get support for the one team we have and some of you want a 2nd one.Buggar me.

I think there is a chance of crowds in the 12-15K range. Provided -

Team had a big name Kiwi player, eg Wood, Reid, Thomas, Rojas, Singh (unlikely)

Team was reasonably successful, basically not sharkhouse like Knights were

Venue Eden Park. Doloras is right Auckland's public transport has improved immeasurably since Knights folded, but Eden Park has to be the venue. Kingsland has also massively gentrified in that time, with plenty of pubs to soak in the atmosphere pre & post match.

Not too many late Sunday games

Formation of fan group along lines of YF

Smart planning tapping into local football clubs. Whether that's having transport linkages (buses) direct to carparks at some of the larger outlying clubs or whatever. Esp for the family friendly kickoffs, when you should be targeting as many kids as possible. I remember ES getting in what seemed about a 1K of their juniors over to Albany for Handy Prem final. Some clever stuff like that.

A biggest name signing from China/Korea would also be smart to tap into large Asian communities in Auckland. 

I don't follow league but understand the Warriors have a few family friendly Sunday afternoon kickoffs, which would help their crowd numbers. Also helps that the local league fans, are familiar with all the Aussie league teams (many of whom have a few Kiwis playing for them as well), and yeah it's the world's premier league comp with lots of big name stars from State of Origin etc.

Went to every Blues home game I was in town for, apart from the last one. They were all 7.30pm kickoffs. The last one was a wet miserable Friday match, against Bulls from South Africa. A team who's players I don't know, and when the Blues season had yet again basically disintegrated. Not an attractive sell for Blues management. Fair weather fan, like many here when the chance of playoff football had virtually disappeared and the weather was crap.

A summer of A League with games at Eden Park, will be popular with many casual Auckland sports fans. Lets have a few beers down at Kingsland, head to the stadium to bask in the late summer sun, and boo some Australians. 

22K in Feb may have been a one off, but 12-15K regularly is possible, if all done right. 

I think what Roar is a pretty reasonable comparison. Popn around the same, football again competing against league and rugby for coverage. Suncorp about similar walking distance from the CBD as Eden Park, train station & bars (Caxton St) nearby. Roarcelona's glory days are long since over. They averaged 9,600 last season when they had a pretty awful time of it. They also don't have a derby. I'd expect a novelty Auckland side to do better than that initially, helped by a Nix derby game or two. 

Football is far more in the public eye than what it was 10 years ago through Sky and Spark etc. Also, we have seen a massive improvement in the style of football we are trying to play and the quality of youngsters coming through is as good as it has ever been.

There is a lot of positives happening in football that we can be proud of and can capitalise on.

If the NIX who have underperformed for the last 5 years can still average 7000 - 8000 with a population only a quarter of Aucklands, I don't see why 15 is not a fair target.

There won't be a new Auckland A-league team until there is a new 12-20k stadium on the waterfront.

The proposed waterfront stadium is to replace to Eden Park (to be sold for housing development) and would be capacity 50,000 plus.

I think these days Auckland would get decent crowds, even if they played at QBE, in the past it was a stadium in the middle of nowhere but now there is at least transport to it and there are also a few bars around there now

The biggest thing with an Auckland team is how much sponsorship etc they would take away from the Phoenix (why do you think the Nix play 2 games a season in Auckland) and also the player pool, yes NZ have many more players overseas these days than in the past but with 2 NZ teams they will be competing for the same players