Greg Florimo, CEO of the Central Coast Bears, has made a direct appeal to the rugby league community for assistance in bringing the question of expansion back to the table.
Recent polls suggest that around 90% of fans want expansion. After 10 years of trying, the Bears at least deserve the right to present a bid submission.
Edmund Burke, the prominent 18th Century Irish statesman said “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Do not allow evil to triumph. Do not do sit by and do nothing.”
With New Zealand rights and digital contracts set to reap the ARLC an additional $200m or thereabouts, the game is looking at a net result of $1.25 billion.
A great result which provides ample resources to secure existing clubs’ futures and massively increase grassroots support for junior and country rugby league.
Channel Nine claim not to be prepared to pay more for an additional game – but should that preclude expansion? Not if any prospective bids can add net value to the competition.
The acting CEO of the ARLC, Shane Mattiske, has stated that expansion is still possible if it can be proved a new entrant will not require additional funding and can strengthen grassroots involvement in the game.
The Bears tick both boxes.
The Rugby League Week poll released last month suggests 92% of fans want expansion, and of these, the Central Coast were overwhelmingly favoured by 46%, with Western Australia next on 29%.
These were the two leading contenders. The rest failed to garner much support: Central Queensland 13%, Brisbane Bombers 5%, Wellington 3%, Papua New Guinea 2% and Ipswich 2%.
Just as importantly, the favourite ground of fans to watch the game is Bluetongue (26%) ahead of Suncorp (21%), with no other venue over 10%.
This poll followed the News Limited poll a week prior which found WA and Central Coast neck and neck as overwhelming favourites for expansion.
These results aren’t an anomaly – they have been consistently repeated year after year, and every year Bluetongue fills to or near capacity to watch whatever scraps are thrown the Central Coast’s way.
Back to the ARLC’s newly stated position on expansion. In substance, this is nothing new.
John Quayle mentioned the key criteria months ago – an existing stadium, low costs, finance, demonstrated corporate and fan support.
After examining the Bears bid he said it’s a no brainer. He argued that they should be in, and put in urgently or the game would lose its player nursery on the Coast.
This is already starting to happen, with junior numbers down on the Coast. There can be no expansion to non-heartland areas if we can’t secure the player talent that will be fielded by any new teams.
The lowest cost model is obviously the CC Bears, as the infrastructure is in place, there is over 100 years experience in running a major league football club, and costs for the majority of visiting teams are minimal.
The only other low cost model (though not as low as the CC) would be a Suncorp based side. As for Quayle’s other criteria, the Bears are fully funded, obviously have a dedicated existing support base and are fully booked by significant corporate sponsors upon license grant.
With John Singleton potentially losing interest in rugby league, the Bears can buy the rights to the stadium they built, lock out prospective competitors and become a true community model – importantly, they own the playing rights at the stadium for the rest of the decade.
When looking at grassroots football (the other criteria stated by the ARLC) all three of Central Coast, western corridor and Central Queensland would achieve that mission admirably.
Though it would be desirable to add an extra game, to expand the League doesn’t need two teams entered simultaneously. The idea of staggering entry a la the AFL has enormous merit, particularly as the strongest of the bids on the newly stated criteria (the Bears) is ready to go now.
This would allow the ARLC to assist a less prepared entrant for 2016 entry.
Having two additional sides operating successfully at low cost before negotiations commence for the next TV deal would automatically increase the size of the subsequent outcome.
Also, adding the Bears now allows the Commission to make a healing and unifying statement that truly ends the Super League War.
With Cronulla’s position now apparently secure, calls for a relocation to the Coast are silenced.
All but the most naive acknowledge there can never be a stand-alone Central Coast side due to the lack of a corporate base on the Coast – the Bears bring not only their supporters, but the third largest corporate region in Australia behind Sydney CBD and Melbourne to the table.
For the Coast, it’s the Bears or nothing. As per Illawarra, to have a presence they need a linkage with a traditional supply route.
John Grant says the game is about the fans. The fans are the customers. The customers demand that expansion is back on the table.
The Big Show
Guest
Central Coast Bears is an absolutely absurd idea. Qld needs another team and WA needs a team.
Trevor Ellis
Guest
I am in favour of the Central Coast Bears as I used to follow the North Sydney Bears as I miss them. I'd like them to be a team on their own also the Central Coast will have a huge following up there. Regards Trevor Ellis
Sara
Guest
My experience as somebody who grew up in the North Shore of Sydney is that the mufti day just before the start of the NRL season people would come in all their different NRL team shirts, the vast majority were born and raised in Sydney. These shirts included Broncos, Cowboys and Melbourne Storm shirts. Probably the only NSW team shirt I didn't see were the Cronulla Sharks shirts. This was from 2003 to 2008. Everybody would be going on about the other person's team sucked and how their's ruled and then somebody would mention the Bears and suddenly they would all be in agreement and saying that they would support the Bears if they got back into the top competition. They would reminisce about when they were little and their parents would take them to Norths games and they would be dressed in red and black. I remember a smash repair place in Willoughby all painted in Bears colours. There was an obvious community support for the team. These other NRL teams were merely stand-ins for their true team, the Bears. Many insist that Norths fans would gladly support the Sea-Eagles. Not true. As we are fairly close to the Northern beaches there are of course Manly supporters around the place but I've seen just as many Souths and Roosters supporters and even Dragons supporters. Most people around here dislike Manly more than any other team. From what I've heard the Central Coast is the same. Many follow the NRL but go for all different teams and do not, despite what people will try to convince you of, mostly support Newcastle Knights. In fact, the Bears have many lifetime supporters in the Coast and this move isn't some random suggestion. The Bears were actually meant to relocate to Gosford in the late 90s and Bluetongue was built for them. I see many, many Central Coast Bears shirts and stickers. I doubt there is that much support for the Pirates (Awful name) bid in Perth. Granted that NSW has a lot of teams, so I understand the wish to spread the league to WA. But in terms of crowds the CCB bid is the most logical. This way Bears supporters get their team back (Which was cruelly cut out of the top flight), Central Coast get a team and that team is a foundation club with a long history and lifetime supporters. The Pirates can not match up to that.
81paling
Roar Rookie
Perhaps Macro you are being a little to general about Sydney crowds needing to grow (particularly after we saw 46,000 at the home game of the Sydney team that took out the wooden spoon). The reality is that after the amazing success that Manly has had over the past 15 to 50 years they are still struggling to get fans on the other side of the spit bridge, with the attendance at any finals an embarrassment. Neighboring Norths were not granted a license from the NRL after pouring millions into doing what was the best for the game then forced to merge with Manly who cut and ran when times got tough leaving their Neighbors to play reserve grade for Melbourne. Last year after winning the premiership they then turn around and tell us all that they are again broke and looking at their poor membership figures there is no reason to doubt that. You could try to take a team from the South of Sydney but, that was an awful thing to inflict on a population previously they not only love their League but, loves their clubs and attending the matches with voice, whilst we find Manly supporters very happy to sit at home and watch their team. Manly do have a following it is just they r not active they will watch the game from home on TV (not as they would have you believe that their is massive local community support not to go to the games not played at Brookvale) they do not appear to need to attend the games like fans from all the other clubs and so we have a perfect club that is able to be moved and we have a need for another club in QLD and guess what, there is a very strong local club in Brisbane that goes by the same name. This solves all the problems QLD mainly Brisbane get another team, the NRL do not loose any fans (cause they all watch from home anyway) Gosford finally get their team and the clubs through higher gate takings will be injected with extra funds to support local grass roots footy rather than it simply going no where or to TV executives and sales people selling very profitable pay TV services to a very comfortable minority of fans who will only be mildly inconvenienced by the fact that they can no longer attend matches up the road that they never went to any way.
81paling
Roar Rookie
Apologies Maroon Blood, I read far more into your statement than what is actually there (thought your opening statement was actually a rhetorical question, not genuine as it is and by on track you meant ready for an NRL team). Not saying that they should not get an NRL team but, I would like to see the Reds in the NSW cup or QLD cup next season to give the players developing as a team in the SG ball a chance to start to build their foundations with a real semi pro team playing against NRL players prior to being given a license for the NRL. By doing so the club could have the potential to have a real WA side with a few superstar dotted in to bring the side up to the required standard allowing any WA team to avoid becoming the drain financially, talent wise and resource wise that Melbourne has become on the League. Not sure if u r aware but approximately 5,000 people showed up on Sunday to a NSW cup final for the main reason that it got some publicity with one major radio station broadcasting the game for the 2nd year in a row. It was twice as many as the year before and it was the same 2 teams playing. The real shame is that it was not promoted at all by channel 9 on any of their League oriented shows, in fact it appeared to b totally ignored. If channel 9 would do the right thing and promote it, even show it on one of their secondary channels, these comps have real potential to get off the ground and get much larger crowds that can support teams from other areas (as they have supported NZ for years). Not only that but, they must be at the very least the best opportunity for local League community's to promote their team with their players to the next level. With careful planning nurturing and promotion of real new talent there is no reason why a 3rd comp of the standard of the comps that exist in NSW and QLD could not exist. They would need some support to start but, with co-operation from the free to air broadcasters (initially FOX must b kept out as their maximum reach to a potential audience is 30% and this requires 100% of people to have the opportunity to watch) and the incorporation of the ACT, possibly NZ teams, bring back the Steelers it could work. Just judging from the weekends match their is so much untapped potential there being ignored by the existing free to air broadcaster and wasted due to the fact that 70% of the viewing public do not have pay TV and r not going to pay for something that they only have a vague interest in.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
As a person who has lost their team previously, I wouldn't want any more teams to get kicked out (even Manly). However I'm all for relocating them!
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Don't forget everyone thought Tinkler was a godsend for the Knights (and he still might be). But only a year later that financial certainty for the club isn't looking as certain any more as he is struggling to pay his debts. Clubs need to be self sustaining.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Hey QGIRL (your initials, I'm not calling you a girl). Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Logan encapsulated in the current Western Corridor bid?
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Hey JZ, I did put Perth there (just named West Coast as per their current bid). I'm all for bringing back previous franchises, although I don't think the Magpies and Tigers could survive in Sydney these days as separate entities. It almost feels like a shotgun marriage. However, what about linking the Magpies with Perth to become the Western Magpies? Haha. Also Ipswich in the QCup are already referred to as the Jets, why not use that in their NRL bid and tap into the old Newtown supporter base as well?
NF
Guest
BBTB I don't consider going to pub to watch the game is 'support' get to the game itself that's actual support something Sydneysiders don't understand. There definition of sports support is different to everyone else in Australia.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
The Bears on the CC IS a relocation.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
I'm not opposed to that idea, just as long as it's not the Bombers. Looking forward to seeing what the Western Corridor propose (as they would be playing out of Suncorp as well. QRL is obviously rich in history, why wouldn't the new bids tap into it?
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
I disagree JZ, Sydney are very passionate about their sports teams. The issue is (in terms of my friends anyway) the majority of people go to the pub to watch the game. Great view, cheap beers, and transport isn't an issue.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Thanks Burgo, I could never find a straight answer as to how and why the Bears disappeared completely after the merger. This makes sense. I just can't believe a bigger deal wasn't made of it at the time.
JZ
Guest
perhaps this would work if we had another 4 teams 1 in each conference. and i dont see a perth team in their Bring back the bears ? hahah maybe we could bring back the tigers and the magpies as separate identity with another kiwi team. thats 4
Rob9
Guest
Interesting concept there BBtB. Personally I don’t think C.QLD is ready for an NRL team just yet. The money may be there but currently the population is not. That’s changing and they should be seriously on the radar in the next decade or so. Also I don’t see the current QLD government (who will probably be in power for at least the next 2 elections) coughing up the money that’s required to build a stadium that’s up to NRL standard. Secondly, when structuring the conferences or divisions, I’d try to keep the Sydney based teams together as much as possible. I don’t think it would be ideal having a few Sydney teams in a conference along with NZ and Melbourne. And I think you’d try and put a Perth side in a conference that didn’t include 4 other Sydney based teams. I am all for the big picture idea of conferences though. The national league has been developed from the Sydney suburban based structure of the old NSWRL. That’s not ideal but the greatest asset it provides the game is that tribal warfare feel you get from teams based in and around Sydney playing each other. If we’re going to maintain that structure then more needs to be done to feed off this asset. I think regionally based conferences are a great starting point.
Burgo87 MWSE
Guest
This isn't Europe! Promotion/relegation is not part of Australian sporting culture and it will never be
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
If 14,000 attend a trial match between the Storm and Broncos in Hobart Clipper,does that mean an NRL team would be suited there? The answer is no.
Bring Back the Bears
Guest
Unfortunately Beowulf, while I wouldn't be opposed to the Bears relocating again, I can't see this happening. If the ARLC announce that NSW is a no go in terms of expansion then all the work the CCBears put in to the bid would be undone. And while Greg Florimo has been unwavering in trying to get the Bears readmitted, I'm sure starting that process again would be pretty daunting. The only possible way I can see that working is if the Bears align themselves with another bid e.g. Brisbane, Western Corridor, Perth or Central QLD. But by the time the ARLC make up their mind, there is also the issue of the other bids being too far down the track to want to rebadge themselves.
Burgo87 MWSE
Guest
In 2002 the team was still the Northern Eagles but internally the North Sydney Bears board members had pulled out and half way through the season they stopped playing home games in Gosford (as a result of a sharp decline in crowd attendances). Max Delmege's cash injection saved the Northern Eagles from insolvency but with the intention of reverting back to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles name and colours for the 2003 NRL season. The North Sydney Bears wanted to become the Central Coast Bears for the 2003 NRL season but the NRL told them that they would prefer to keep the Central Coast open for an existing Sydney team to relocate to (particularly the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks or the returning South Sydney Rabbitohs, the latter came very close then Russel Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court saved them in 2006).