- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Well there has been plenty of debate over what chance a World Cup bid has if the NRL and AFL will be left out of pocket. Is this the case though?
An ideal situation for the rugby league and AFL during a World Cup would be as follows.
Host 4 NRL rounds over 5 or 6 weeks overseas in the UK, Qatar and the USA.
Whilst the World Cup is on in Australia, the UK and USA would all be watching it in early morning hours their time while there local footballing comps are all shut down, meaning they will have a lack of live sport for a number of months.
This is a perfect situation for the NRL to test the waters overseas and whilst doing so, make a fair amount of money with guaranteed sell outs in the UK, having curious locals and many Australian expats turning up.
This would more than compensate for missed ticket sales in local Australian stadiums, and also cover air travel and accommodation for each club overseas.
The NRL and FFA can monitor each clubs financial situation while overseas and if any club is in the red, then compensation would be paid.
This can also potentially boost the possibility of increased international TV rights to the game for the following season. If not for NRL rounds, then for a highlights show.
State Of Origin games could be played at 3 separate points world wide; the UK (Wembley) which already follow the game, Qatar which is a rich sports nation and Lebanon, where the game has a huge following.
As for the AFL, a country road show of rounds in the outback areas would give more back to the locals they draw their players from at a young age. Providing FIFA ok this.
Financially though, the AFL would need some government assistance or FFA compensation from ticket sales from World Cup games played at AFL stadiums or training grounds rented out to international football teams.
Maybe this all sounds like a huge long shot, and farcical, but i think its worth a mention anyhow.
I do also realise this still inconveniences Australian NRL and AFL fans who like going to live games and have season tickets, plus having to watch there beloved game being played at 10/11pm at night (sorry kids!). Discounted season tickets for the World Cup year could be an option.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.