Been thinking this all through, Didn't Domey say in the latest pod that while there will definitely be a game in auckland next season, the large majority will be held here? Surely thats as good as any indication that this is bollocks, was literally only said days ago. Dome gets a lot of stick but I think you can tell he cares about the club, does his best and is a good guy. Morrison seems like a straight shooter who equally cares deeply about the club. Davutovic, Covert Agent, Dom Bossi, FFA, Gallop, Herald Sun, SBS, FOX - all can get fu cked. I'm so mad, I've had it. It might sound extreme and a bit "tin-foil hat"ish, but the Aussie media is genuinely publishing blatant propaganda, there needs to be ruthless outrage from the club. This whole thing is a mess, and the way we are being treated as a club is nothing short of disgusting.
Phoenix Ownership - Rob says FTFFA (Part 2)
Can I confirm I understand the timeline of the developments today, I was probably asleep for a chunk of it:
1) Story comes out claiming Nix meet with this South West Sydney.
2) Hyslop tweets claiming that the Phoenix have said they never recieved an email or took a phonecall from this expansion franchise.
3) Nix send pissy tweet
4) Story comes out with Gallop confirming the two sides met in Sydney today.
Have I got 2 and 3 the wrong way round? In the end, that part probably doesn't matter.
You can claim agendas all you like and undoubtedly there are plenty and some people are acting in bad faith here. But if the above is correct, you have to add the Phoenix to the list of people acting in bad faith here. They're willfully misleading (but also being tricky so they can claim they didn't) a Kiwi journalist.
If Gallop has come out on the record and straight up lied here and there was never a meeting, he should be sacked immediately. If the Phoenix are lying, well they will have to work very hard to restore credibility with me.
For those saying, it's Friday night of course they can't respond.... I absolutely guarantee they will have a member of the comms team who is on duty over the weekend, or a member of the senior management team. If they've been caught lying and we've finally got someone on the record claiming the Nix are meeting with people about the license then they need to respond to that ASAP and probably should have been prepared for it.
As plenty of people have said, the Nix sucking at comms isn't new. But today seems like a bit more than that.
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
This club has gone to the dogs.
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.
Rob did not outright deny that they have spoken with clubs, and even admitted that they had discussions a while back but nothing concrete had come of it. If you think that the FFA would admit to a meeting when it could blow up in their face, you're in denial.
I feel like everyone is burying their face in the sand because that's all we can do anymore.
Also what's this bullshark from the official twitter? Either deny it or fudge off.
a.haak
I know a lot of people don't want this to be true, but it definitely smells like the truth to me.
Dome and Morrison have continually said that they have had discussions with group(s) in the past (that they only talked about after they couldn't keep quiet any longer) but they had gone nowhere and nothing was in the pipeline as of two weeks ago. However, they also kept saying that they were keeping their options open and that an independent A-League was pretty much necessary for the club to exist long-term. That sounds like a group willing to sell. They have also kept stringing out the process of hiring a new coach (which I'm sure a 50% stakeholder would want a say in) and signing players (ditto).
I know that there are questions about why they would keep the alleged negotiations quiet and ostensibly lie, but I think that is easily explained by a couple of things, first, businesses generally aren't going to talk about this sort of thing publicly if at all possible because it can endanger the deal. Second, this is a really controversial move that pretty much signals the end of the Phoenix, there is no way they would have wanted fans to know until it was a done deal.
TLDR: Welnix have decided to cut their losses for the right offer and kept quiet about it because why on earth would they have gone public with such a sensitive issue?
But Welnix aren't idiots and if they think the independent A-League isn't likely, or at least not until further down the road, then cutting their losses makes sense. The lack of a blanket denial suggests that the deal not only exists, but that they're still waiting to see how things (like the FFA's supposed concerns) play out. This is not the kind of thing where you don't dignify it with an answer, either David Gallop is lying, or this story has legs.
This is not the kind of thing where you don't dignify it with an answer, either David Gallop is lying, or this story has legs.
Given everything that has been said in the media about the club recently, this is exactly the sort of thing that you don't answer at night on a Friday without meeting with internal stakeholders and formulating a proper response to. I'd expect a proper press release from the club during the day tomorrow.
This is not the kind of thing where you don't dignify it with an answer, either David Gallop is lying, or this story has legs.
Given everything that has been said in the media about the club recently, this is exactly the sort of thing that you don't answer at night on a Friday without meeting with internal stakeholders and formulating a proper response to. I'd expect a proper press release from the club during the day tomorrow.
But you had the meeting. So why, given recent events, didn't you have a statement ready to go the minute this meeting became public.
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
it is an interesting line we don't speculate on speculation
You can read many things into those words
The meeting happened, but the speculation is why the meeting took place. WelNix can’t deny the news because it’s true, and can’t acrually correct what’s been reported because it’s commercially sensitive. Which leaves them releasing a rather cryptic tweet.
That’s my take.
This is not the kind of thing where you don't dignify it with an answer, either David Gallop is lying, or this story has legs.
Given everything that has been said in the media about the club recently, this is exactly the sort of thing that you don't answer at night on a Friday without meeting with internal stakeholders and formulating a proper response to. I'd expect a proper press release from the club during the day tomorrow.
But you had the meeting. So why, given recent events, didn't you have a statement ready to go the minute this meeting became public.
You don't need a full, well-worded statement to make a statement though. "We don't speculate on speculation" is itself a (not well-worded) statement. This is exactly the sort of thing where if it isn't true you make a preliminary statement like "The reported meeting between SWE, David Gallop, and ourselves is a total fabrication. We will make a full statement tomorrow," If it isn't true then a simple statement like that is far less damaging than letting speculation run rampant for the best part of a day.
I think that there isn't a statement because they didn't expect Gallop to leak what was going on. I get the feeling that the FFA isn't actually keen on the plan because it's subverting the expansion process and they're trying to scuttle it ASAP. In the FFA's ideal world they get the license back from Welnix and charge an expansion team the rumoured AU$10m themselves.
SBS have added a bit to the whats been said so far I will only add new bits not in the other article. You can read the full article on the link.
https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/phoenix-in-sydney-...
.............................
"The proposal, which would obviously require FFA approval, needs to be considered in the context of the commercial objectives around the expansion of the league which are to ensure that the investments made are ones that benefit the new clubs, the A-League as a whole, its current club owners and the broader game," Gallop said in a statement.
..........................
The report claims the prospect of a 50 per cent sale hinges on two legal factors: whether Wellington's licence is territorial, and if a sale of 50 per cent or below can be blocked by FFA.
................
With no hope of reaching the 'metrics' required to trigger an extension, as per the agreement signed two years ago with FFA, a sale would allow Phoenix owners to at least pocket some money before the club is shuttered.
It would also ensure the South West Sydney FC bid wouldn't have to pay an expansion fee, which could be as high as $10 million, as part of the formal process being run by FFA.
..................
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei
^^^^^^^
After reading the SBS article, filling the tea pot, drinking the tea, and reading the tea leafs at the bottom of the pot.... is Welnix have been looking to sell but FFA have not let them so they are trying to sell 50% and move most games to avoid stadium hire losses.
Essentially Welnix have taken legal advise to get around FFA licence controls.
I could be wrong, will have another pot of tea and see what the leafs tell me.
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei
^^^^^^^
After reading the SBS article, filling the tea pot, drinking the tea, and reading the tea leafs at the bottom of the pot.... is Welnix have been looking to sell but FFA have not let them so they are trying to sell 50% and move most games to avoid stadium hire losses.
Essentially Welnix have taken legal advise to get around FFA licence controls.
I could be wrong, will have another pot of tea and see what the leafs tell me.
Marijuana leaves aren't great for deciphering news articles..
Just noticed at the bottom of the article it says this:
Which Dome flat out denied the other week.
Exactly. Getting tired of these knee jerk rejections ‘Welnix are selling us out’ etc etc.
You can’t believe a word coming from either the Aus newspapers or FFA at the moment. Complete dirty tricks campaign.
These Aus journalists obviously never read a thing, about what the Nix are saying from NZ.
Welnix are of course within their rights to meet, with South-West Sydney (SWS) bidders for a chat.
If this meeting was held (surely must have been very frosty with Morrison and Gallop in same room) - then Nix should have been better prepared come Friday night, than that cryptic tweet. Always likely Gallop would not play nice.
Some extra issues if meeting did take place. SWS either don’t have the $10M to buy a licence, or see Southern Expansion as favourite to get an A League team in their area. If Southern Expansion are approved then there would never also be a new SWS A League team, to effectively cover same area. A W League team and few Nix games at Campbeltown is best they could probably ever hope for.
I also note SWS are refusing to comment, which indicates to me that yes, they are trying to work with the Nix as a JV/equity partner - not just trying to undermine Nix or just buy licence 100% like fudgeers at Sth Melbourne and Brisbane Strikers.
If meeting was not held and Gallop blatantly is lying.....sue.
If this is true then we have been outright lied to to the Nix and they are been deceitful
If so and this is how they do their everyday business, then they are dodgy cowboy operators and I will never ever buy any of their products or services again
If it is true I hope you ship them out of Wellington to Tasmania (as they don't deserve to be in a city with a football a league team)
I hope I am wrong about the above but it is all starting to smell very dodgy
Auckland will rise once more
Meeting had to be W league/Youth focus.
Otherwise, the concept is too stoopid, even for the walking dipstick Gallop.
No fan base in either country (south west Sydney is hard core Wanderers territory) with zilch sponsorship opportunities.
Plus a host of legal issues - the Licence is territorial, status of club in FFA Cup/AFC champions league competition for starters.
Looking forward to Rob news conference with kiwi media
Kotahitanga. We are one.
I am totally over this fudgewittery, whether on the part of the Nix or the FFA.
Either sell it complete and put the few remaining supporters you have out of misery or get on with the job of running a football club.
Is it any Ridenton has said fudge that and we cant find a coach ?
Keys to the article:
Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop confirmed he held a meeting on Friday with Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison and Gino Marra, the head of the South West Sydney FC expansion bid.
News Corp Australia reports a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two parties.
While requiring approval from FFA to move forward, under the hybrid model
"The proposal, which would obviously require FFA approval, needs to be considered in the context of the commercial objectives around the expansion of the league which are to ensure that the investments made are ones that benefit the new clubs, the A-League as a whole, its current club owners and the broader game," Gallop said in a statement.
two legal factors: whether Wellington's licence is territorial, and if a sale of 50 per cent or below can be blocked by FFA.
Opinion: Was it a joint meeting or separate meetings.
No news on CRWG from media or Gollop. Word in the 442 foroum is FFA stalling until after world cup.
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
This club has gone to the dogs.
Then why are you still here? Seriously - if I really thought there would be no more Nix, or it would be the Campbelltown Nix, I would walk off this forum never to be seen again. Yelling on a forum wouldn't stop the club if that's what it had decided to do. There would be no point apart from, perhaps, kicking other fans while they were down.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
Media
outlets have reported all manner of approaches to and outcomes for the
Phoenix. Some of the approaches are real but the majority are imagined.
With reportedly interest from ten groups for two expansion teams, there is plenty of scope for speculation.
As the club has previously disclosed, the Phoenix have had discussions
with parties interested in participating in the expansion of the A
League, as well as the future of the A League and it should come as no
surprise that continues to be the case.
Welnix as the owners have consistently maintained that they are open to
external investors who could bring capital and players to the club as
well as providing professional development pathways for the players from
New Zealand.
Although there are currently potential options that are worth exploring
what is certain, despite the leaky nature of the industry, is the
Phoenix will not conduct any of those discussions via the media.
The speculation is hugely disappointing and clearly upsetting for fans
and sponsors but unfortunately the club cannot control it.
We can reiterate however, as stated by the Chairman, Rob Morrison recently, that the club is not looking to sell its licence
Of more immediate concern to the club is the state of the A League.
With double digit falls in viewership levels, falling crowd numbers and
all clubs losing money there has to be a material change to the
construct of the League.
The best case scenario for the A League clubs, including the Phoenix, is
the creation of a truly independent A League with new management and a
distribution of revenues that reflect the way they are generated.
The needed structural changes will not happen in the short term but it
is clearly imperative that decisive action is taken now by the FFA ahead
of the 18/19 season to halt the decline in the Leagues metrics.
Tinkering around the edges with marquee funds and the like is not
sufficient.
For the Phoenix the club is focused on the off season, with the club's
fourth appearance in the annual Hong Kong Soccer Sevens next weekend
against clubs like West Ham and Kashima Antlers, as well as its annual
Sister City Cup match against Beijing BG in China's capital in July.
The club continues its active search for a new Head Coach with a decision expected soon.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
We need to look at things more positively and constructively. How do we improve ‘metrics’? It’s up to us - the passionate fans. I for one would like to see a special deal with Air NZ or Jetstar to fly into Wellington for the home games - deals with accomodation would be better still. For EVERY home game. Also to get from the airport in Wellington to the Stadium is a bit of a pain - trains seem headed in other direction. IMO a guest Marquee and these other things organised at the start of the season would all help.
We need to look at things more positively and constructively. How do we improve ‘metrics’? It’s up to us - the passionate fans. I for one would like to see a special deal with Air NZ or Jetstar to fly into Wellington for the home games - deals with accomodation would be better still. For EVERY home game. Also to get from the airport in Wellington to the Stadium is a bit of a pain - trains seem headed in other direction. IMO a guest Marquee and these other things organised at the start of the season would all help.
Trying to grow out of town attendees would be the worst use of energy
Founder
so gallop lied?
Gallop apparently told the press he met with the Nix and the SW Sydney mob. That doesn't sound like it's contrary to the Nix statement. The crap about the Nix moving most games to SW Sydney and playing in black and white, though, is unsourced. It seems to be a lie, and the source may be Gallop off the record, who knows.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
I like how they are preaching they have always been vocal about wanting external investors on board. Ah no you haven’t - you just got caught out
Er, that's exactly what Rob said two weeks ago
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
It could be true, I think they could be looking at the 2-3 "Home" games we normally have in Auckland/elsewhere as being the ones they have in South Sydney. Gives Welnix an escape plan if they don't get reform in A-League leadership before the license is up.
My thoughts, they maybe looking at a MOU with Sydney where they get a cash injection, maybe train there and have an Australian base for overseas game. Will probably also mean 2-3 "home" games there as well.
This also gives the WelNix an out to maybe get some cash if next season goes belly up. Instead of just losing their license and getting nothing they can sell it off to this Sydney group and recoup some cash for it.
I'll also add WelNix don't want to do this negotiating and the independent A-league negotiating in the media but the FFA and others are doing so which is why we are getting these half true stories and will continue to do so
I think what fans have to realise is unlike the other clubs there are 2 paths that will have a major affect on the future of our club and Welnix arn't in control of it. Path 1 is independent A-league, Path 2 is FFA run A-league. Welnix as the owner of the Phoenix need to prepare the club for both paths. I'm supportive of the actions they take, they have their hands tied because of the failing metrics and the uncertain future of the A-league. They may not be able to win every battle but I reckon they sure as hell are going to try. To me the FFA are the bad guys here, they use the the typical divide and conquer tactics of Australian media tabloids and they are masters at it with Gallop as the head.
It’s open warfare now between FFA and Welnix. Expect an Australian media story every week or so, leaked by Gallop or whoever. If not the FFA then one of the expansion bidders seeking to undermine them. The Nix can only throw so much time and energy at this stuff. Plus if negotiations with a group like South-West Sydney are underway, there is no doubt commercially sensitive stuff they can’t disclose right now.
Hopefully some of the knee jerk reaction stuff on here after every negative story, dampens down. There will be plenty more, most if not all just BS.
As Morrison said they have put everything in the Independent A League basket, that’s the only hope now of retaining a team in NZ. I don’t even think they will focus on the metrics too much now - just those that increase their cashflow - which admittedly is a few of them!
I must say I wouldn't be happy if my treasured 1 or 2 QBE games got moved to that part of Sydney where the local MP gets assassinated by the Vietnamese mafia. But better than no Nix at all.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
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.
So for those like me, unsure exactly what a MOU is -
"A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a nonbinding agreement between two or more parties outlining the terms and details of an understanding, including each parties' requirements and responsibilities. An MOU is often the first stage in the formation of a formal contract.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is not legally binding but is viewed as a serious document by the law"
Terrible headline
At no point in the release did the club not say those four words. We are not selling
That us telling
They said "not looking to sell"
That is just a cleaver play on words
I'm not looking to sell my house
But if someone offered me a price I may
But these guys are having meetings about selling 50 per cent?
They are alll bull shark artists and I wouldn't buy a cheap watch from them
Morrison and Dome are clearly bailing everyone up in the street, want a piece of me? You can't go all the way but I'll go half, like a 2'dollar hooker
Auckland will rise once more
This topic is locked.