Independent A-League

coochiee

Interesting idea, but imagine the club's gate season revenue pales in comparison to the contracted the annual TV rights income. You do blackouts you lose some of that media rights cash.

Local TV blackouts maybe in the one team towns like Perth, Adelaide, Brissy, Gosfors, Newcastle, Welly & Auckland when games are being hosted there. But you blackout the larger cities Melbourne & Sydney every time a game is on there, you lose maybe 25% of your viewing audience each time. Paramount won't like that.

But yeah the low crowds are a real problem, and not a great look.
Why was the Melbourne crowd (was at AAMI Park) so low? Where were the Victory fans?

To answer your last point.

Screenshot_2024-03-21-10-18-50-48_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg 220.39 KB

Same night as the rescheduled Victory v WU. Victory may have a big fan base, but that's dwarfed by AFL #'s

You've got to wonder about the people who organise and reschedule games, and where their heads are at with some of these arrangements. Unfortunately football doesn't beat the AFL in Victoria.

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

Yeah Vince Rugari reported on it in 2021: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-stayed-right-out-of-it-wanderers-owner-denies-transfer-collusion-claims-20210507-p57q1b.html

Thanks! Rugari gets a really bad rap in some circles

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

oopsies double up of posts.

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

Interesting idea, but imagine the club's gate season revenue pales in comparison to the contracted the annual TV rights income. You do blackouts you lose some of that media rights cash.

Local TV blackouts maybe in the one team towns like Perth, Adelaide, Brissy, Gosfors, Newcastle, Welly & Auckland when games are being hosted there. But you blackout the larger cities Melbourne & Sydney every time a game is on there, you lose maybe 25% of your viewing audience each time. Paramount won't like that.

But yeah the low crowds are a real problem, and not a great look.
Why was the Melbourne crowd (was at AAMI Park) so low? Where were the Victory fans?

To answer your last point.

Screenshot_2024-03-21-10-18-50-48_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg 220.39 KB

Same night as the rescheduled Victory v WU. Victory may have a big fan base, but that's dwarfed by AFL #'s

You've got to wonder about the people who organise and reschedule games, and where their heads are at with some of these arrangements. Unfortunately football doesn't beat the AFL in Victoria.

Yes the AFL is a beast. That was last Thursday night, opening game of the AFL season. A sold out MCG - 95,000 or whatever it is!! AFL fans go a bit bananas having a 6 month off season, there is always huge media build up in Victoria for opening weekend. So yeah I guess it really would have only been the ALM diehards across Swan St at AAMI Park.

To be fair to the APL, there were 4 AFL games in 4 days last week at the MCG. One game per day Thursday through to Sunday. A scheduling clash hard to avoid.

imanixsupporter

I have the same impression for what it's worth. The irony of losing Piscopo to a team we were funding, developing Maraugis for a team we were funding, etc. 

We will never know if we had to pay anything for the Mauragis loan.

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

it was definitely there, been reported for a couple of years.

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

I think its always just been a rumour mill from inside the Fever itself, nothing concrete as you have just discovered. I've never seen a credible source.

Marto

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

I think its always just been a rumour mill from inside the Fever itself, nothing concrete as you have just discovered. I've never seen a credible source.

... a source from 2021, from the very reputable journalist Vince Rugari, is posted right above in this thread https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-stayed-right-out-of-it-wanderers-owner-denies-transfer-collusion-claims-20210507-p57q1b.html

Doloras

Marto

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

I think its always just been a rumour mill from inside the Fever itself, nothing concrete as you have just discovered. I've never seen a credible source.

... a source from 2021, from the very reputable journalist Vince Rugari, is posted right above in this thread https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-stayed-right-out-of-it-wanderers-owner-denies-transfer-collusion-claims-20210507-p57q1b.html

Doloras

Marto

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

I think its always just been a rumour mill from inside the Fever itself, nothing concrete as you have just discovered. I've never seen a credible source.

... a source from 2021, from the very reputable journalist Vince Rugari, is posted right above in this thread https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-stayed-right-out-of-it-wanderers-owner-denies-transfer-collusion-claims-20210507-p57q1b.html

I've seen that article too a few times but while he names them, there has NEVER been an official conformation from either the Nix, the consortium or the Jets.

I'm sure its true, but just because he's a reporter doesn't mean he's not talking bollocks.

Marto

Doloras

Marto

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

I think its always just been a rumour mill from inside the Fever itself, nothing concrete as you have just discovered. I've never seen a credible source.

... a source from 2021, from the very reputable journalist Vince Rugari, is posted right above in this thread https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-stayed-right-out-of-it-wanderers-owner-denies-transfer-collusion-claims-20210507-p57q1b.html

Doloras

Marto

Doloras

AucklandPhoenix

I’m not surprised

I’m fudgeing shocked 

I'm getting Mandela Effect vibes here. I am trying to find online sources prior to this week confirming that the Nix were part of the consortium propping up the Jets but I'm finding nothing. But as I say, I thought it was common knowledge. Someone help me out here.

I think its always just been a rumour mill from inside the Fever itself, nothing concrete as you have just discovered. I've never seen a credible source.

... a source from 2021, from the very reputable journalist Vince Rugari, is posted right above in this thread https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/i-stayed-right-out-of-it-wanderers-owner-denies-transfer-collusion-claims-20210507-p57q1b.html

I've seen that article too a few times but while he names them, there has NEVER been an official conformation from either the Nix, the consortium or the Jets.

I'm sure its true, but just because he's a reporter doesn't mean he's not talking bollocks.

To back that up, I think I saw Vince say on Twitter that he asked Welnix Rob if he was helping fund the Jets, and Rob said no. Not that Vince believed it iirc.

The company that the a league contracts to record and produce a league matches went bankrupt yesterday, apparently a late night at APL as they found an alternative. This is the startup that the a league bet on producing a better and cheaper product but ended up being just as expensive as the incumbents. Kind of no wonder, if you go to their website it appears that the a league is their only customer.

Is that KeepUp?? Does it mean no more matches streamed on YT? It's a shame, I liked their content 

No, keep up was the a leagues news department. This company is called global advance and provides live broadcast services.

Another Danny Townsend masterclass

Ryan

No, keep up was the a leagues news department. This company is called global advance and provides live broadcast services.

But who's going to stream the games now then?

newzealandpower

Ryan

No, keep up was the a leagues news department. This company is called global advance and provides live broadcast services.

But who's going to stream the games now then?

The APL has signed a deal with the company that used to produce the games for Fox Sports, so all games will be televised. I would assume they will still hook it up to the YouTube streaming.

Past few months I had seen people commenting about the low production quality, especially of ALW matches. I guess the production was trying to skimp on things to stay afloat. 

They had a bold strategy and failed to adapt it when the realities of COVID hit. It might have worked without the pandemic but the fact that they pushed it even as they were bleeding money was a huge mistake and ultimately heads needed to roll.

But what’s the new strategy then? Small target, recover from losses, think local and youth based, keep costs down and everyone try and beat Auckland FC and Melbourne City…

Or just hang in there, bumpity, bump bump!

Personally I think the whole setup needs to tighten its belt across the board. The ambitions were too high and the money is just not there to run a bling bling A-League. Everyone, including the players are going to have to expect less money. The most important thing is to stop any more clubs going belly up.
In terms of A League expansion I think it’s time to look at the proper old Aussie clubs like South Melbourne and Marconi. The old ethnic rivalries have gone. These are proper football clubs with good infrastructure and good supporters. I never liked the franchise model, it’s not what true football is about. It’s worked for the Nix where you have one club in one city but not multiple clubs in one city. 
IMO the league has shot itself in the foot by charging new clubs an enormous signing on fee. This will make it very difficult for any new clubs to come on board. IMO a team like South Melbourne would be a welcome addition to the ALeague.

martinb

But what’s the new strategy then? Small target, recover from losses, think local and youth based, keep costs down and everyone try and beat Auckland FC and Melbourne City…

Or just hang in there, bumpity, bump bump!

the new strategy is to focus on building a sustainable football code.

"I think it’s time to look at the proper old Aussie clubs like South Melbourne and Marconi. "

Too late. Those guys are founder members of the Australian Championship aka National Second Division and they just want the A-League to die.

That is not a strategy, that is a sound bite.

Ryan

martinb

But what’s the new strategy then? Small target, recover from losses, think local and youth based, keep costs down and everyone try and beat Auckland FC and Melbourne City…

Or just hang in there, bumpity, bump bump!

the new strategy is to focus on building a sustainable football code.

Doloras

"I think it’s time to look at the proper old Aussie clubs like South Melbourne and Marconi. "

Too late. Those guys are founder members of the Australian Championship aka National Second Division and they just want the A-League to die.

Other clubs like Melbourne Knights (not in the original 8 team NSD) have been far more anti A League. 

As long as eventually pro/rel is introduced, these clubs will want to be part of the ALM. APL wants to with time get a two tier ALM A1 & A2 setup, 10 teams in each, 20 teams in total. Plan is for that to happen slowly. Teams being invited up from the NSD, or maybe new franchise teams in places like Tasmania, Christchurch etc.

Canberra joins the 2025/26 season that's 14 teams. So it could be that 4-6 NSD clubs get invited into the A League over time, as they prove themselves strong financially, good fan bases, sponsors etc. 

The NSD could just be 8 NSW & VIC teams when it launches next year. That ain't much more exciting than just being at NPL level. South Melbourne & it's fans will want to get into the A League.

Napier Phoenix

That is not a strategy, that is a sound bite.

Ryan

martinb

But what’s the new strategy then? Small target, recover from losses, think local and youth based, keep costs down and everyone try and beat Auckland FC and Melbourne City…

Or just hang in there, bumpity, bump bump!

the new strategy is to focus on building a sustainable football code.

if you want to be a dick about it then it's more akin to a mission statement that a strategy would be developed to support.

Being a dick about things is taking time to answer a legitimate question with a one liner that does nothing to actually answer the question is any meaningful way.

Ryan

Napier Phoenix

That is not a strategy, that is a sound bite.

Ryan

martinb

But what’s the new strategy then? Small target, recover from losses, think local and youth based, keep costs down and everyone try and beat Auckland FC and Melbourne City…

Or just hang in there, bumpity, bump bump!

the new strategy is to focus on building a sustainable football code.

if you want to be a dick about it then it's more akin to a mission statement that a strategy would be developed to support.

It did answer the question and less is more.
The strategy was to build an overall ecosystem for football, which was supposed to extend from managing the subs for club football all the way to providing football content to the public, having a professional competition was part of the product, but it wasn't the product. The new strategy is that the a leagues are the product.

The language has changed to bring a development League, etc.

So what part of my "one liner" was flipant or didn't address the question?

That’s better, that is much more helpful. 

Ryan

It did answer the question and less is more.
The strategy was to build an overall ecosystem for football, which was supposed to extend from managing the subs for club football all the way to providing football content to the public, having a professional competition was part of the product, but it wasn't the product. The new strategy is that the a leagues are the product.

The language has changed to bring a development League, etc.

So what part of my "one liner" was flipant or didn't address the question?

coochiee

Doloras

"I think it’s time to look at the proper old Aussie clubs like South Melbourne and Marconi. "

Too late. Those guys are founder members of the Australian Championship aka National Second Division and they just want the A-League to die.

Other clubs like Melbourne Knights (not in the original 8 team NSD) have been far more anti A League. 

As long as eventually pro/rel is introduced, these clubs will want to be part of the ALM. APL wants to with time get a two tier ALM A1 & A2 setup, 10 teams in each, 20 teams in total. Plan is for that to happen slowly. Teams being invited up from the NSD, or maybe new franchise teams in places like Tasmania, Christchurch etc.

Canberra joins the 2025/26 season that's 14 teams. So it could be that 4-6 NSD clubs get invited into the A League over time, as they prove themselves strong financially, good fan bases, sponsors etc. 

The NSD could just be 8 NSW & VIC teams when it launches next year. That ain't much more exciting than just being at NPL level. South Melbourne & it's fans will want to get into the A League.

Funny thing is that Melbourne Knights have not only pulled out of NSD contention but are calling for the whole thing to be postponed/scrapped. Heavens knows what their agenda is.

A number of the decent old NSL clubs that have thriving social clubs that supported their football club and did not really see the point of spending the money ALM required.  I would think Marconi and Sth Melbourne were very much in that category?

I think South Melbourne have tried a number of times to join the ALeague. They have a significant following and attract plenty of sponsorships(over 30 listed on the website) They are a proper football club and IMO could easily upscale to be a viable A League club

austin111

I think South Melbourne have tried a number of times to join the ALeague. They have a significant following and attract plenty of sponsorships(over 30 listed on the website) They are a proper football club and IMO could easily upscale to be a viable A League club

Agree. They were voted OFC club of the 20th Century. Went to few CWCs back in the day, and did pretty well. Lots of Socceroos been through the club. Lakeside Stadium is a nice ground with 12,000 capacity.

They should have come in instead of the Melbourne Heart, who could well have folded by now without the City Group's dosh.

But yeah as above do the likes of Marconi & SM, want to or have the capacity to ever pay a $20M+ licence fee to enter the A League.

Does the APL look to reduce that fee in the future, and how do the existing clubs who paid that high fee feel about that?  What fee are Auckland and Canberra paying?

Totally agree. The Melbourne Heart franchise was a huge mistake. My Melbourne football friends  said the locals hated the idea. You are right about the ALeague sign on fee. It’s expensive enough already starting a club but the huge sign on fee will kill off any interest from established clubs at local level. There are not many billionaires like Foley who would splash the cash for a new ALeague club. It’s yet another dumb idea from who ever runs the current setup.

That's worse than the worst case scenario which was supposed to be $800k to $1 million.

This really sucks.

Better see if we can line up a sale of Surman in the off season too now just to stay afloat 

Procrastinixing

This really sucks.

Covid effed the A-League over big time.