PHOENIX AND SOUTH EAST ASIA / OCEANIA LEAGUE
After pursuing all avenues to remain in the A-League, if that fails, NZ Football and the Phoenix should consider starting a league including sides from South East Asia and Oceania.
The Phoenix are a better side than any in South East Asia - they have a strong squad and sound management off the field. So they have a lot to offer football in Asia, where the leagues are weak outside of Japan, Korea and China, in terms of setting a benchmark and raising the standards.
It could be part of opening communication with the Asian confederation about NZ / Oceania moving towards joining the AFC.
A South East Asia / Oceania league could include:
Wellington Phoenix
Auckland City
A Pacific Island franchise (headed by former France international Christian Karembeu who is ready and waiting - he's been advocating a Pacific team for the A-League for years). They could take games around Pacific venues.
Two Singapore teams
Two Malaysian teams
Three Thai teams
Two Indonesian teams
That's twelve teams to be starting with.
Crouds will be much bigger than the A-League in the Asian capitals.
Lucrative TV deals lie in wait too !!!