Welnix purchase a stake in the Hurricanes

Welnix have apparently purchased a stake in the Hurricanes, which have now become the first Super Rugby franchise to be privately owned.

Link here 

 A nz football franchise owning a share of a nz rugby franchise, and not the other way around. Never wouldve thought Id see the day.

So what do we think about all this?

Good for Wellington, only mediumly distracting for the Phoenix/Welnix. Overall, Meh.

 Wonder if this could lead to ticket deals between the rugby and the football. Could be a good way to increase crowd numbers.

Could be dangerous.  Could be a reaction to our dispiriting form.  Could be a subjugation plan by rugby heads to totally wipe out football, because rugby heads see football as un-New Zealander.

I'm not too sure how I feel about this yet. One one hand, it will be good for both the Hurricanes and the Nix because the two codes will be 'working together' to an extend, rather than competing in the same market (albeit during different seasons).

I am worried that with the split focus of Welnix on the two codes, that some of the board members that aren't as vocal about football will start focusing their attention towards the more popular sport in NZ.

I worry. Mainly because I can see more merged events with eggball. Which I dont really care about much. On one hand it could be good more exposure to other sports fans, but I feel like we should stand alone

Seeing Gareth in a Hurricanes jersey makes me sad.

 How much say do you think they'll have as a minority investor though? As far as I could make out they have some share of only 50% with two other private concerns.

unlikely that the deal was stitched up in a week and a bit.

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wellingtonphoenix/news-display/Phoenix%20Owners%20Invest%20In%20Hurricanes/52717 

Spend the money on a few players would of been a better investment for the Welnix. Surely they should be trying to get the Phoenix sustainable and producing quality before taking this on.

Won't affect us much hopefully. might get some deals with tickets and stuff, since One company now owns the two major Westpac Stadium clients

If they planned to make their money from sport it would be a worry. But they don't so they just want to keep Wgtn going.

I suppose it gives them a strong bargaining positioning when negotiating deals with the Westpac Stadium and potential sponsors. Share the costs on setting up improved facilities for both teams. 

So do wish that we had a Forsyth Barr type stadium in Wgtn.

They are one of 3 shareholders, that combined have 50% of the franchise. That is hardly jumping off the Phoenix boat into another.

We might see some closer ties between the clubs, but it isn't going to be anything close to how the Jets/Knights operate under HSG.

 Im disappointed at you lot for your doom and gloom attitude towards this. Personally I cant see this being anything other than a good thing.

It's not all doom and gloom, most of us are being cautious before we give it the Yellow Fever seal of approval. Big difference.

Dadi & Nonu and Bertos & Tialata memories 

Edit: Here we go - more of this? 

If anyone Welcan fix the Hurricanes the Welnix can

Good on them, they are great supporters of Wellington. They have the nous to handle the  2 businesses.

So we are talking about less than 25% share. Not exactly the same as HSG with the Knights/Jets.

Just so long as they dont send siggy and manny for any cross training,they can get themselves into enough trouble with bringing back a crash tacle or stiff arm with them.

Mind you the possibilites are endless Conrad as a box to box midfielder the explosiveness to score.Or better still bring back Jerry to frighten shit out of everybody.

Gareth morgan was on Radio Sport talking about the venture.  Is being repeated in about 10 mins

Gareth is going to be on Campbell Live Shortly

I can see Siggy getting a gig at second-five

I am a bit apprehensive.  If the YF start charging us $30 to access the forum then I'm going to start following TW.

This would be great and probably a bigger likelihood now also.

how so?

I want to see Ernie/Nixie in a cage fight with Capt Hurricane - this town ain't big enough for two cocks.

Give the man more credit than that.....long term goal for football and possibly eggy ball game.