Will the Wellington Phoenix flounder or flourish?

PB, In regards to ticket prices. If I was to go onto Ticketek and try to purchase 2 x concession tickets it would cost me $34. I use concession as the example as I still study and am a student. If this $34 is already converted to NZD then it would make two concession tickets in AUD $27. If so, football matches for a Phoenix match are cheaper. If it is not converted then the ticket prices would be $42 AUD for two concession tickets which is in line with Australian ticket prices i.e. Brisbane Roar. Now in terms of $ per capita then perhaps the reason for low attendances could be the income not providing enough extra money for these ticket prices (fair enough). We too do not have FTA coverage for any teams until next season when our new TV deal with Foxtel (Foxsports) and SBS take effect. I don't know how NZ will cover Wellington matches or if the FFA will schedule fairly for teams to maximise exposure, but all teams need the FTA exposure! I agree matches on fox don't tend to focus on Wellington much but having to listen to the horrendous and biased commentary is pathetic! You will also find in Australia that on fta news no a-league is covered unless negative. Back pages are hard to find a read on a-league, especially when competing with off-field stories in AFL, NRL and cricket throughout the summer. There are times when it gets on but not often. I don't know if the A-league would like to press the buttons of the AFC that little bit more, when they have already disregarded the involvement of the Nix in regards to ACL (but not saying we can't have them) I hope my reply was inline with your response.

Tigranes disregard my questions, I was asking with an intent of actually trying to find the answer as everyone says these things but I have never seen a proper answer. Here it is but as you said, doesn't provide the exact % or money. Article 31 Revenue The revenue of FFA arises specifically from: a) Members’ annual subscriptions; b) receipts generated by the marketing and commercial exploitation of rights to which FFA is entitled, including broadcast and new media rights, sponsorship, merchandise and licensing and ticket receipts; c) fines imposed by the Judicial Bodies; d) grants received from government, FIFA or AFC; e) fees and prize money from participation in matches and competitions; and f) other subscriptions and receipts in keeping with the objectives pursued by FFA. Article 32 Expenses FFA bears the expenses: a) stipulated in the budget, including administrative, operational and marketing expenses; b) in the marketing and commercial exploitation of rights to which FFA is entitled, including commissions, venue hire and team assembly costs; c) approved by the General Meeting and expenses that the Board of Directors is entitled to incur within the scope of its authority; and d) as otherwise incurred in keeping with the objectives pursued by FFA

Aren't there four countries - England, Scotland, Wales and northern Ireland all a part of Great Britain but still separate countries?

Tigranes I have to ask and would love to know, but how do you know this? Where can I find this information?

Tigranes, I just have to ask! Why would private owners or consortiums be buying an A-League club licence just to see a big chunk of that money going back to the HAL (or do you mean FFA)? Because if I was a club owner I would want to average 35,000 all the time, but if a big chunk is always going back to the governing body then why would I even bother?

Kebab, Firstly what team so you support? The Wellington Phoenix are not being propped up by Australian tax payers money as Wellington are privately owned by a group of business men/women. They fork out their own money. Do they raise the standards of the A-league? Well each team plays a certain style of football that aims to appease either the club or it's supporters. They made the finals the past 3 seasons therefore 4 Australian teams missed out each time, hopefully that answers that question. Do they bring more revenues in? That is a very complicated question, could you answer that yourself whilst outlining what money goes where and to who and what first? Club, Ffa, owners, sponsors... A Tad complicated, but to put it simple they are privately owned and bought a licence from the ffa whatever they make is and should be theirs after all other bills are paid. You heard of Shane Smeltz (PGFC), Marco Rojas (MVFC) Kosta Barbarouses (former BRFC player), Michael McGlinchey (CCMFC) just to name a few off the top of my head. All contributing to the overall improving standard of the A-league and New Zealand football. Why would union clubs invite ours when the Super 15 is the best rugby conference/competition in the world. Our best teams and theirs play in it the last time I checked.

An extremely valid point there Pete4. It will be interesting to see what ask clubs do with the extra money they have usually had to allocate to the salary cap. Perhaps more money will mean more ways of promotion, savings, enticing and developing youth into their adulthood to continue striving to make the A-League and thus raise the standard. I know Perth Glory owner Tony Sage will love the fact he will be able to save money as even he has had to curtail financial costs as he does not view his generosity as an endless put of money.

Diablo, From what I understand though boys and girls combined (ages 5 - 17) play soccer/football more than any other sport. For girls though swimming and netball are the top, and for boys union is second. The thing I can't seem to grasp though is the ability or lack of to entice boys especially to continue with football from the ages 17+. Australia also is in the same position in regards to participation rates for boys and girls (aged 5 - 17). One of the fastest growing sports actually is rugby league and most popular to watch is union. So it can rightfully be assumed as children/teenagers get older their interest in football wanes.