If there's any truth to what Domey said yesterday about the finances, the Phoenix are going to have to get away from the huge fees at Sky Stadium very quickly.
As for the stadium there just isnt a quick fix for that in Wellington at moment unless some generous benefactor can be found.
Welnix can always invite more investors onto the Board. MLS clubs seem to have dozens of individual backers.
They tried to get more investors a few years back, dont remember if it was successful or not.
The MLS is remarkable, insofar as it's a sure thing. When it first started many in the US landscape doubted that it could be sustainable. They're surpassed his and while it's nowhere near the scale of the NFL, if you are lucky enough to obtain or invest in a franchise you are basically guaranteed to profit significantly.
The A-League was heading in this direction, but the wheels have fallen off significantly.
However, Foley investing in ACFC would have had a positive effect on the A-League's attractiveness. It re-inforces that these franchises will likely increase in value over the long term.
If investers feel this way, then our current owners will be more inclined to 'maintain the asset' for future gains, and prop up or invest more themselves.
MLS took off when Beckham joined the Galaxy. ALM was in a similar position with DelPiero and WSW when they entered the league. It's all gone downhill massively from there. The money never came to build the stadiums, that's the problem. Fans are increasingly losing interest and connection to their clubs playing in empty stadiums they don't own. It's the harsh reality.
Not demanding each side builds it’s own ground has stuffed the A League financially.
The MLS has pushed for a long time for franchises to own their own grounds due to the expense of using other people’s facilities (that was a massive reason behind Miami failing back in the day and struggling to come back until very recently).
Many NSL clubs had their own grounds so again could keep their gates. Not a single A League side has that.
I also don’t think MV and MC calling AAMI home helps either side. Who does MC represent for instance?