Phoenix Ownership - Rob says FTFFA (Part 2)

This will make an independent A-league a lot tougher sell to the state associations/federations, and the Association of Australian Football Clubs, who will likely end up getting representation at the FFA Congress once the FIFA process is done and dusted.

^^^^^^^

Reading the above threads ... my reference to MLS structure is because only the MLS have a closed franchise model with no P & R, that I am aware of other tan ours and Canada. 

However the answers to date seem to indicate, YF does not support P & R.

In Australia aside from the A-League clubs almost everyone wants P & R, with a reasonable time frame.

One person saying “I’d be surprised if any owner supported P&R” 

Does not equate to 

“YF does not support P&R”

This is also off topic. Post here:

https://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/straya-a-league-and-state-leagues/topics/football-federation-australia-finally-prepared-to-relinquish-control-of-a-league-to-clubs

Original post taken to Independent A-League 

I'd support it if there was a remote chance of it actually working out, which would need to be 15 plus teams in the first division to start with. I don't see that happening any time soon.

Anyway on topic, I love the stance Rob has taken and I'm glad we are getting some good communication from him now. Hopefully it works out but even if it doesn't I think it's the right play given current public opinion of the Nix.

Don't know what to make of this latest David Davutovic article. Either he is farting away his journalistic integrity completely, or domey and Rob have lied to us on a stunning scale. Just as I thought we were done with the whole shenanigans of the the aussie media trying to push us out, jesus 

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/a-leagu...

SOUTH-WEST Sydney could have an A-League presence next season with Wellington Phoenix on the verge of selling a large stake to a local consortium.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been agreed between the two parties, with a view to selling a 50 per cent stake immediately.

The hybrid model would effectively become a third Sydney club, making for potentially two more box-office derbies with Western Sydney and Sydney FC.

Herald members only story?..I wont bother.

Huge claim.

It would be different if it was rallis and goal.com or the walker agent twitter account, but David Davutovic is supposedly a reputable journo, why the hell would you jeopardise your credibility for what is surely a story that has not a shred of truth to it. Its all too weird. I guess maybe because most aussie fans want us out, journos feel they can say whatever they want and not be held accountable for it

FFA have (apparently) confirmed Gallop met with Phoenix and SW Sydney today.

Source: https://twitter.com/VinceRugari/status/994856410180710407

Fudge u Phoenix, seriously? 

I believe Welnix never ruled out sharing a W-League side, infact its what they wanted, maybe this is the real story behind it??.

full article as it sits behind a paywall..

MAY 11, 2018

SOUTH-WEST Sydney could have an A-League presence next season with Wellington Phoenix on the verge of selling a large stake to a local consortium.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been agreed between the two parties, with a view to selling a 50 per cent stake immediately.

The hybrid model would effectively become a third Sydney club, making for potentially two more box-office derbies with Western Sydney and Sydney FC.

NEW GIG: Tony Popovic to be named Perth Glory coach

South-west Sydney would host a large portion of home games and be the HQ to the club’s new training base under the proposal, along with a colour change to black and white - synonymous with the south-west region.

Phoenix would retain their current home strip for the games that remain in New Zealand under a hybrid model.

South-west Sydney bid director Gino Marra refused to comment when contacted byNews Corp Australia.

However it is believed that Marra travelled to New Zealand last week to negotiate the terms of the “merger” with Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison.

It’s understood that the pair will meet with FFA (chief executive David Gallop) on Friday in a bid to rubber-stamp the sale. Wellnix – the consortium that owns Phoenix – and Marra’s group are confident that legally the governing body cannot reject the deal.

Fox Sports are among the key stakeholders believed to be supportive of the sale.

FFA is simultaneously running a formal expansion process, with Expressions of Interest due on May 24. Southern Expansion (the joint Sutherland, St George and Illawarra) and Wollongong Wolves are among the bidders from NSW.

If the south-west consortium’s audacious purchase comes off, the existing Phoenix contracts of Nathan Burns, Roy Krishna, Sarpreet Singh, Keegan Smith, Tom Doyle, Louis Fenton, Dylan Fox, Ryan Lowry, Adam Parkhouse and Oli Sail would be honoured.

Midfielder Matt Ridenton this week joined Newcastle Jets. Other Phoenix negotiations have stalled, including the appointment of a new coach, while Phoenix’s ownership structure is resolved.

Captain Andrew Durante, Scott Galloway, Lewis Italiano, Andrija Kaludjerovic, Matija Ljujic, James McGarry, Michael McGlinchey, Daniel Mullen, Goran Paracki, Logan Rogerson, Alex Rufer and Tando Velaphi are off contract, while defender Marco Rossi has already departed.

The two key determining legal factors are whether Wellington’s license is territorial and whether a sale of 50 per cent or below can be blocked by FFA.

Phoenix has also negotiated with Southern Expansion and former National Soccer League champions South Melbourne in the last six months

If true, the Phoenix have some serious explaining to do.  Any news of this should be coming from them and not from the other consortium and via the FFA, let alone after what has been stated over the last fortnight. (Also, i'd be totally out on some weird hybrid team).

If not true, it's just about time to come out all guns blazing against the FFA and the rumour mongers under cutting the franchise.  Either way there should be blood.  Was the Herald Sun the outfit that ran the bullshark South Melbourne story?

^^^^^^^

Could be just the W-League side ... and a click bait head line... 

soooo, does everyone go full on to Team Wellington, coz I’m not supporting a Sydney club

Just noticed at the bottom of the article it says this:

Which Dome flat out denied the other week.

Sitting at #ThePub watching @HurricanesRubyFootball 

How pist off is  The @a-Leagues biggest corporate sponsor at its 

Treatment by #FFA - Bagging them (Wgtn Nix} every inch of a game. 

Sponsorship at A-League level is based on positive exsposure. But Fox

bag the team ecery moment 

 ???Goodnight Team. #FTFFA #FfoxFootball

We need some clarification now from Welnix. 

If the merger does go ahead, may as well not bring the few games back to Wellington each season....all identity & local support will go down the drain!

"Black & White Fever"....doesn't have the same ring to it!

Definitely, might as well sell the whole licence. I for one certainly would not go, and certainly would not buy a season ticket. A few people I know certainly would not go either.

Official Twitter of Phoenix states in reply to the writer of the article "The club once again will refuse to speculate on speculation.".

I'm sorry, in the current climate, that is just not good enough.  We are back to the sharkty communication again.

"someone else's black & white army".

fudge this is shark. I hope this is still part of gallops beat up of the nix and nothing more. And i wonder if there were other clubs at the table but our name was picked out to continue the bullshark ffa line against us. 

The nix twitter said it wont comment on speculation, so maybe there is something in that. But regardless,we go into a weekend with news about our club which doesnt look good for its future. 

Davutovic was the source for the previous complete lie about the upcoming merger with the Cronulla Riots or whatever. He is a dumpster for FFA disinformation.

After Rob said straight out that nothing like this is going to happen, I believe him. You guys are so easily swayed by information warfare from FFA, who seem to be taking their cues from goddamn Vladimir Putin with the "planting wild stories in the press and make your enemy deny them" stakes.

My guess is this is FFA's revenge against Rob coming so straight out in his last interview. And unfortunately most of us are foolish enough to fall for it, over and over and over again.

I could be wrong; but the consequences of me being wrong are "having egg on my face later". Much less damaging than the consequences of Yellow Fever members giving up, declaraing "DEATH KNELL OF CLUB" and turning it into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It's fudgin' Friday night. Perhaps WPFC head office should have expected FFA sabotage after all the Kiwis are in traffic home / at the pub; but perhaps they have better things to worry about, eg. signing a coach.

I certainly hope you are right, and will be there if we are actually Wellington Phoenix. But, the high moral ground response is meaningless now. If the truth is on our side, and this is a fabrication, why not come out and attack? While it takes some effort, a passionate response would go a long way toward galvanising the fan base and I believe the players.

If the truth is on our side, a simple one liner along the lines of "Mr ...., you are an absolute disgrace" would be more than sufficient, wouldn't it? Similarly to Durante's response to the blatant lie by Berisha that he grabbed him by the throat that one time...

I think this calls for a passionate united fan response in support of the club on social media. Maybe start by slandering this 3rd grade journo and 4th grade CEO. Lets go down swinging!

Hm... I'm reluctant to "slander" anyone. I think you meant we should "call them out". But, even then, how can you do that when you don't have full facts? The only people who have full facts are the owners, and therefore it's only them who can say anything. Besides, social media is a waste of time, the only way fans can meaningfully help is to attend games by either buying season tickets or otherwise.

It must be false news but it deserves more of a response than a flippant twitter one liner

Noting the Welnix desire to obtain additional investment partners and noting previous comments that such investment its most likely to come from Australia to calm fans nerves: 

Will the Phoenix play all but 3 of their home games in Wellington in the next two seasons.? Yes or No

Will the Phoenix remain in a yellow and black strip for the next two seasons? Yes or No

Will the Phoenix remain called the Wellington phoneix the next two seasons? Yes or No.

Whilst i understand the need for further investment, i wont support a hybrid team that that article suggests because it would no longer be an NZ team but a hybrid waiting out the two years then becoming a solely Aus team. Also i could not trust the owners again.

Lets hope that article is more rubbish reporting. If not, the club might as well pack up now.

In the words of Mr J Lydon ...

"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated ?"

Liam Hyslop got through to someone and now feels like he was misled. https://twitter.com/liam_hyslop/status/994863857121325056

I'm not saying I believe it, (I mostly don't, I think it's more likely to be a continuation of the epic agenda driven troll job some in Aus are playing with the Phoenix), i'm just saying I wish someone would put  out the fire.

Edit:  Also, just to add, the other reason I don't buy that this story is that it just sounds like a MONUMENTALLY stupid idea.  Who in their right mind thinks shared home games across two countries, split home strips and identities etc... is at all an attractive proposition to any fans?  No one with any business sense surely.  I don't see what the consortium get out of it rather than aiming for a full franchise, and it doesn't seem a good way for the WELNIX to draw a sustainable fan base in Wellington.

You’ve heard of the FFA and David Gallip, right? 

If taken literally, it makes no sense, as you say. However, it smells like a temporary workaround to get around difficulties of selling a territory based licence outright, for example. Really do hope it's a fabrication, though.