... " the issue is can NZF deliver what FFA want for its 100 mill dollar media deal ... " etc.
Well, the CEO of NZF is an ex Barclays Bank executive whose job a few years ago was ensuring that Dubai committed to investing mega petro dollars with his bank and no-one else. Sweet-talking the FFA into taking onboard Auckland's 1.5 million "eyes" after that gig would have to be something of a doddle one would think.
And re the question, does Auckland really 'deserve' an A-League team, well, it kinda comes down to money and money-management don't it? The Kingz then the Knights bombed because of business failure and poor management above just about everything else. The Nix have survived this far through the committment of just two individuals, Terry S and Gareth M, over and above performances on the park and attendance figures on the terraces. IMO NZF CEO Andy should also be using his know-how in seeking/sweet-talking potential wealthy & football-friendly NZ/overseas investors into forming a 2nd NZ (Auckland) A-League franchise as of now. There's not a hell of a lot else on his plate that I can see.