I think it's a learned habit from the seasons where we were continuously threatened with being dumped from the league if we didn't build crowds NOW NOW NOW
Talking of being dumped, and probably the wrong thread, but... does our status as a part owner of the new, independent A-League mean we longer need the okay of the Asia federation to play, and stay, in the A-League?
I am sure we do - but the key issue has always been whether the A-League wanted us in the first place.
Asian Federation would have issues if our participation caused an anomaly (for example if we kept on winning the league every season). Another potential (hypothetical) issue would be if NZ was part of the Asian Federation (not OFC) and competing for the World Cup spot with AUS, and eligible All Whites played for the Nix only. The the A-League would have a problem selling this idea to the AUS public as it would not be seen as right in AUS interests. As it is, we are aiding their player development efforts and in a way the same applies in reverse.
It is off topic in this thread so I will leave it at that.