Some sectors of sports fandom within Australia are currently having a chuckle over the fact that the AFL has voluntarily labeled itself as not being a “major event” in the context of Australia’s 2018/2022 World Cup bid.
This follows the recent news that all relevant sports bodies have reached agreement with the Federal Government on the way forward in relation to the bid and the stadiums required, should the bid be successful.
Those same fans are probably failing to read between the lines of what has actually been agreed to the last 24 hours, so I thought I would do my best to highlight some salient points.
The first question that everyone should ask is why the largest and most prosperous sporting body in Australia, which runs the most successful sporting competition in the land, would willingly suffer the ignominy of labeling itself as minor?
Our first clue is in this ABC report that appeared on their website Monday afternoon.
When asked about the possibility of compensation, the AFL’s chief operating officer, Gillon McLachlan, responded as follows (also replayed on Fox Sports News):
“We can’t forecast that … what we know is the formula’s there, not to provide a windfall gain but to provide that we’re not any worse off. The number will be the number. Given we’re a billion dollar industry now … and half the games could potentially be impacted, it might well be a large number.”
This follows on from an ABC report on the AM show on Monday morning, where the interviewer suggested it will be “tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars.”
In the same program, it was suggested that the bill for compensation would be met jointly by the taxpayer and the FFA.
All of this reminds me that exactly six months ago I estimated a figure of $300 million to compensate the AFL for a disrupted season (at the time that included both the MCG and Etihad being lost to the AFL for 10 weeks).
That figure might be reduced by about a third now that Etihad is being retained by the AFL.
The other thing I suggested at the time was that the dividend the German FA received back in 2006 would only cover a small fraction of that estimated compensation figure.
Now put yourself in Andrew Demetriou’s shoes, negotiating directly with the Federal Government (with the FFA having been sidelined a few months back).
Now do you see how this story ends?
eastperthroyals
Guest
what i thought you of all people would know the facts i have lost respect for you
Michael C
Guest
and the Lindenow South Swamp Rats......carna Swampies!!!! ;-)
eastperthroyals
Guest
BY the way anyone else see that the turkish government wants our great games anzac game to be played in istanbul in 5 years see our game is popular o/s just some people refuse to acknowledge it i hate collingwood but they are one of the top 10 most famous sporting teams in any sport world wide theyre up there with the socca clubs from europe and americas biggest teams real madrid spanish socca bocca jnrs south america socca man utd uk socca arsenal uk socca barcelona spanish socca mumbai indians mighty IPL celtic uk socca chicago bulls nba Ny yankees mlb collingwood footy
BigAl
Guest
What is this 'idegenous code' you keep refering to ? . Perhaps you could start by providing a definition of . . . 'indegenous' . Possibly it is un australian ? - definately not English !
hutch
Roar Guru
hahaha the national sport when half the country couldnt care less and have probably never watched a game!
hutch
Roar Guru
cant work out whether you are trying to be funny or you are the most delusional poster i have ever seen on any forums, but keep it up anyway, its good for a laugh!
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
yeh i know just teasin
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
It was a top game, doesn't matter that the Aussies lost. Good Rugby is good Rugby.
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
DoW, how is that supposed to make me feel better..... ....New Zealand won and the aussie greats still had hair :-P
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
And so you don't feel so upset... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heoO_5MvZ0w&feature=related
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
No Rugby future, it's called Rugby League. It is a variation of Rugby, that has just as much right to use the name Rugby as Rugby Union does/
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
oh, thats ok then, please refer to it as league, its proper name
eastperthroyals
Guest
Sorry rugbyfuture i meant rugby liague not rugby union
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
it cant be the undisputed national sport considering most aussies know that cricket is the national sport and therefore it would be disputed... i agree with most of the other stuff you say, although rugby is going much better overseas and you couldnt buy it out.
eastperthroyals
Guest
Ok you muppets taking shots at me can you please tell me what is so amusing about what i have posted FACT aussie rules is the undisputed national sport of this great land cape york to bass straight sydney to perth and every where in between FACT the AFL should be compesated by FFa judging by the fact the AFL is a multi billion dollar goliath 700 million dollars makes sence FACT everyone around the world loves australia FACT it would be wise to hand over the compo money to the clubs and the clubs to hire soccer players who dont wish to leave our great southern land FACT there is areal possiblity about 60-61% chance the NFL could be banned i heard a guy say it on tv on espn last year i said he wont let his son play NFL as it leads to concussions whichh leads to alzhiemers and parkinsons so in this event wont this leave a void in america or dont you think our great game is good enough to travel FACT soccer is not popular in china or india sri lanka japan and the usa less so if they miss the wc why not talk to thier sports ministers and leaders and ask them if they want to host our game in thier own backyards it is only fair on fans our game in thier countryss to see a game live buddy franklin is a massive marketing tool for the game please dont call me a troll i admit to baiting a few rugby fans by talking about buying out thier code
Midfielder
Guest
eastperthroyals Be careful... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TgNCoVmziQ
Son of a Gun
Roar Rookie
I like puppy's but kittens i am not so keen on. The reverse troll eh ?.
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
ok this is now officially way over the top
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I've heard of worse ideas for spending public money. I hope you get the job as the next AFL CEO East Perth and get the chance to bring your vision to life.
Redb
Roar Guru
yeah, perhaps on purpose. ;-)