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When the Melbourne Storm was purchased last April from News Limited by a private consortium it was always with the intention of being part of the biggest sporting franchise not only in Australia, but the world.
Today’s landmark announcement that English Premier League giants Manchester City have bought into struggling A-League franchise Melbourne Heart is massive news for the football world, but the story gets much bigger.
The new Melbourne Storm owners have also gotten into bed with Manchester City and taken a substantial stake in the Heart.
Another high profile Melbourne identity has also been invited to participate and more sporting teams are expected to be part of the franchise that is likely to include the AFL and the Big Bash League.
The Storm is expected to play a home game this season in Wellington (NZ), but next year could play a game at the City of Manchester Stadium, hosted by the football club.
This is a huge opportunity for the NRL to showcase two Australian rugby league teams to a new audience that could include current football boss Manuel Pellegrini and his players Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Fernandinho and Alvaro Negredo.
With creative owners like Bart Campbell, Matt Tripp, Gerry Ryan and a CEO like Mark Evans, who did wonders with the English rugby club Harlequins, the Melbourne Storm are the “bullet” movers in the NRL as they look to consolidate and build on their already impressive history.
High on the priority list is maintaining their elite players and skipper Cam Smith is top priority.
When season 2013 had finished there is no doubt that the Storm owners had conceded that they would lose their champion hooker to the Brisbane Broncos to a massive $1.4m a year deal over three years. He clearly did not want to leave the club he loves but he also had pressure from family who are based in Brisbane.
Make no mistake that Cam Smith was gone, but the body language since he has come back from holidays with his wife and family has underlined how important the Storm is in his life.
Smith will have to take a massive pay cut of around $1m if he stays with the Storm and, like former teammates Greg Inglis, will say “no” to a massive Broncos offer.
I put my Roar ‘Guru’ status up for grabs last October when I suggested that Cam Smith would sign with the Broncos, and prior to Christmas, I changed the suggestion to 80/20.
I am now saying that I am backing the influential Storm owners to keep their skipper and re-sign him for three years.
Circumstances change, people change their minds, but one thing is certain, the Melbourne Storm will continue to grow.
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