There's a few reasons why I'm uncomfortable with NZF just writing a cheque to the FFA (or even Welnix) as a few people seem to be advocating:
1. NZF can't afford it. Forget all that BS about big money from the Mexico game. That's in reserves and is our only hope to have even a half-arsed international programme for the AWs. The truth is that without the 2010 World Cup winnings and the money from the Mexico game NZF would have been running big deficits for the past 5 years.
2. The policy rationale seems weak. I know the FFA will say "we're contributing to the development of NZ football" and it's probably true, but how exactly? And what's that actually worth? The youth development side of the Nix operation is one area where NZF can actually say they have helped, via participation in the ASB Prem and youth league. Also, the FFA's "A-League participation helps drive youth development" argument would be stronger if they hadn't radically scaled back their own National Youth League. If NZF were to put in $ would that give them a say in the running of the A-league? If not, why not? Too much of this feels like a shakedown rather than a genuine discussion about the value to all parties of having an NZ team in the A-League.
3. The A-League itself should be moving in the opposite direction, towards being independently run, rather than having any direct involvement, let alone funding, from national associations.
I think NZF's role should be more about facilitation between all the big players in this, including the FFA, OFC, broadcasters (current and potential), sponsors and government, both local and central. For example, if there really is a link between A-League participation and youth development/participation then Sport NZ should be way more involved in this than they seem to be.
But that's why I was really disappointed with NZF's press release today. Words like "continue to be in close dialogue" and "once we receive their proposals" are lacking the urgency and pro-activeness required from them.
In summary, I have some sympathy with NZF that they are essentially facing a shakedown from the FFA (which Welnix now appear to be complicit in, perhaps for no better reason than they are glad to have the spotlight shine somewhere else) but I do think NZF should be showing a lot more leadership.