Less than a year ago, FFA chairman Frank Lowy flagged the idea of expanding the A-League to 14 teams to coincide with the expiration of the current broadcast deal. Those plans have since been canned.
Since Lowy’s comments, which were preceded by numerous other hints of expansion from CEO David Gallop, the idea of a 14-team A-League has slipped further from reality.
It is for good reason, too. Consolidation is crucial at the moment, and sticking with 10 teams has to be a short-term priority.
Yet there is one big problem; the introduction of two new teams was supposed to give the FFA bargaining power heading into a new television deal.
With the the current deal’s expiration of June 30, 2017 approaching, FFA have lost a juicy weapon to take into negotiations with broadcasters, and they need a replacement carrot.
With aggregate crowds figures down and television ratings plummeting, the FFA need to bring something fresh to coax more money out of interested media organisations.
The answer appears to lie in south Sydney.
Fairfax Media journalist Dom Bossi reported this week that a third Sydney-based team could be next in line for an A-League license.
Based in the Sutherland Shire, potentially taking in Wollongong and Picton, the new club would bring an extra six Sydney derbies to the A-League, which would surely have broadcasters salivating.
It would also potentially bring Lyall Gorman back to football, who was instrumental in Western Sydney’s successful introduction, and has been involved in talks in his new role as Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks boss.
Yet 11 does not go into 10, so there has to be a sacrifice. And the FFA have a perfect lamb – Wellington Phoenix.
The club’s license is due for expiration and they have long been touted for an exit. The fact that a new licence extension has not yet been reached does not bode well, and FFA may have finally found a good excuse to give them the boot.
The critics of Wellington point to arguments that a New Zealand franchise does nothing for developing Australian football talent, provides little financial reward in terms of broadcast revenue, and does not add substantial numbers to average attendance figures.
This coming from a support base that was given a massive chance to witness Australian football’s improving fortunes when the Asian Football Confederation accepted the country as a new member in 2006.
Assisting other nations to reach Australia’s level can only benefit Asian football’s development. The arguments for Wellington’s continued inclusion have been argued before, so will not be explored again.
One positive to mention, however, was the rejuvenation of Nathan Burns. His career was close to petering out before Ernie Merrick and the Phoenix stepped in and gave him a platform to regain his form. The Socceroos, and Australian football, benefitted.
However, the main outrage stemming from the idea of a franchise change has not been Wellington’s omission, but Sutherland Shire’s potential admission.
It is an illogical place to develop a new A-League franchise, a point The Roar‘s Adam Santarossa outlined succinctly last year.
The region is already a Sydney FC heartland, and an introduction of another team would surely just take support away from one of the A-League’s clutch clubs. It does not make sense. One day, maybe, but definitely not in the current climate.
The Phoenix pulled a crowd average of 8700 last season; it is difficult to imagine a team in the Shire doing much better in the short term.
Wellington deserve another five years, the work Merrick is doing on the field is promising and the club has stable financial backing. If they are granted a new license, however, a move to Hutt Recreation Ground has to be part of the deal. The days of an empty Cake Tin must end.
The only downside of Wellington’s long-term inclusion is when promotion and relegation arrives, but that is still some way off.
If Wellington’s demise is a mere formality, however, then a new franchise has to come from a fresh environment.
A third Melbourne team would be bizarre with Melbourne City only just starting to build a support base, while a second Brisbane team, which may take in Ipswich and Logan, is surely a non-starter given the Roar’s current problems. The construction of a purpose-built stadium and joint-venture with an NRL club would be tempting though.
Tasmania is waiting for a sporting team, every code is dilly-dallying about the southern island. Although it would be a huge risk from FFA it could be a brave masterstroke. It has more credence than the Shire. Similarly, Canberra have done enough to suggest they are worthy of a chance after solid crowds during the Asian Cup.
Neither will pull 20,000 spectators, but there is room for A-League clubs that attract between 5000-10,000. Regional areas have a place in Australian football, if done properly.
The fact that the Newcastle Jets still have 8000 members, and had a crowd of 12,173 last weekend, despite not making the finals since 2010 and enduring the Nathan Tinkler era, is proof of that.
Football fans, regardless of their standing on a long-term presence of the Wellington Phoenix, should be concerned.
Football is not a television game show, as Manchester FC spelled out earlier in the week. Introducing a third Sydney team would treat the sport as such.
The move only makes sense for broadcasters, and if the franchise fails to make an impression in the Shire, it will be a poorly thought-out short-term gain.
“There are no plans for expansion of the A-League in the foreseeable future,” head of A-League Damien de Bohun said.
“The strategy is all about sustainability of the national competition and stability of the current 10 clubs.
“It’s a sign of the A-League’s growing popularity that several regions around Australia are lobbying for a club in their markets, but that doesn’t change our view that 10 is the right number of clubs.”
So 10 clubs will remain, but the longer the Phoenix’s license continues to remain unextended, the more likely it is that the FFA have ulterior plans concerning a replacement.
Sustainability is the key word from de Bohun’s comments, and it should rightfully be the FFA’s primary concern.
Sustain Wellington, show some patience, and then start tackling possible expansion plans – whether extending to 14 teams or through promotion-relegation. Alternatively, leave a third Sydney team out of the equation.
Bondy
Guest
Tired I have to agree Fox's quantity and quality has been decreased over the past year its going backwards fast,shocking for football supporters in Australia ...
Tired
Guest
If Fox sport is looking for someone to blame for falling television ratings, they could do worse than look closer to home. The standard of commentators is generally poor. The coverage of the FFA Cup was at very best amateur and half hearted. They have dropped the best of the magazine programs Fox FC on Tuesday nights, change the All Saturday Afternoon format to a Saturday Night program. At every turn reducing costs rather than improving product. With the exception of Adam & Bozza the rest look like friends being helped out by giving them a job because they couldn't get one on their own. Harper is embarrassing, and the rest are ex socceroos who are looking for an after career job. I can watch free to air and put up with ads, now I am being asked to subscribe as well as put up with ads, more ads than free to air, and a poorer quality product. There is no facility to allow feedback or complaints. Just arrogance, Personally I am glad to see Ch Seven get the EPL Rights, hopefully it will spark some reform at FOX.
ChubbzyK96
Guest
The Wollongong Phoenix... need I say more? That is by far the best idea out there... Not much changing needs to be done, the Gong gets there team and the Phoenix live up to their nick name!!!!!!! Rising from the ashes again!
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
The A-league needs more clubs. Some people say we should wait for clubs to be financially stable before expanding. But if we do not expand, we will not get the stability. 9 Australian clubs is simply not enough for a strong national comp.
Martyn50
Guest
12 clubs is fine at the moment. Adding more clubs is only spreading the jam. The talent is not around. Untill attendances at all games are 10,000 plus and all clubs are financial stable over 5 years. Then FTA channels might support soccer in this country. Only channel 7 are running with any degree of profitability. Fox may have 15% of 10, and thats enough.Buying sporting rites in Australia involving un finacial clubs is a risky business.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Settle down gramps and debate the argument I present. If you're yet another inept poster unable to construct and debate a valid argument then stop wasting my time. And yeah what is it with you realfootball, sometimes you come across like a pompous 18th century earl. Back to the backwater sticks I say. Tally ho ye olde scallywag! :)
Justin Mahon
Guest
An interesting story in the press today about the Sutherland Shire A-League team being part of a broader political campaign to get build The Home of Football with Commonwealth support at a 9 acre site where the St George FA is located - right smack in the middle of the Treasurers marginal seat of Cook. ? The FFA are not idiots.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
I'll add, but they'll never do it.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
@football Exactly. People are obviously either so stupid or that afraid of old soccer that they will fly into unnecessary panic about the future of HAL and seemingly cut their own nose off to spite their face. You bring in south, they have a (40 year deal with their) boutique stadium that will fill to the rafters ESPECIALLY when MVFC play there..(not to mention city bringing a tidy number through the gates). MVFC/SMFC derby has the potential to eventually rival the Sydney derby in terms of atmosphere. Mark my words. Heart if anything have proven to be a slow burner, in terms of members, and they will survive with their squillions..while a (albeit possibly/probably smaller, but then again we couldn't possibly predict the potential of..) wsw type effect sweeps South East Melbourne. It's that simple. There's a sleeping demographic there..that is sustainable...that will certainly pull more than the nuxs paltry 3k that's for sure.
Realfootball
Guest
Are you 12 years old with behavioural issues? If not, start posting as an adult instead of an obnoxious child in need of some alone time in his room.
asanchez
Roar Guru
I think a 3rd Melbourne side is a sure bet down the track, just not sure if South Melbourne or Heidleberg are the answer. The team coming in will need to have a geographical difference IMO. I think a team either in the western suburbs or in the south east for me is the best way to go. That's 2 areas in Melbourne where there's heaps of registered players and some massive suburban clubs. Melbourne Victory is based in the CBD and City are based in the northern suburbs. I also think a 4th Victorian side could come in from Geelong after the 3rd Melbourne side.
football
Guest
Hello I'm somewhat surprised that there isn't more discussion happening on this possibility, but what about a 3rd Melbourne club consisting of an old NSL side? Specifically South Melbourne, Melbourne Knights or Heidelberg? Both existing HAL Melbourne clubs can absorb any potential loses in terms of members (Melbourne Victory has 26k+ members and Melbourne City is Melbourne City). If its one place that can truly manage the entry of a 3rd club is is Melbourne rather than Sydney FC (so long as the new entrant has significant support which the old NSL clubs, see heidelberg's FFA cup match against Melbourne City).
Bondy
Guest
Off topic with the National Team in Canberra for our next hit out is Gallop planning a HAL team there to get closer to political connections ? ....
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
No what's unnecessary is posters like you and psuedo Aussie who are unable to respond to a valid well constructed argument..and deviate from the point at hand. And Your forum policing is getting old now deepak chopras left nut
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
"That’s right, there are no viable options at the moment" Utter garbage. Says who? If you think we can't muster up more than the nuxs paltry 3k fans here in aus than all I have to say is, stop drinking the cuz bro ay coolaid :) A third sydney AND Melbourne team are viable. Add Canberra. Sorted.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
And by the way you should probably refrain from simplistic cheerleading and forum policing and grow a pair and respond to my argument. Besides you owe me royalties on my intellectual property.. I make the puskas quip to jb and low and behold puskas left nut appears on the scene the very next day. Zero originality, zero cred :)
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Ok deepak chopra. Namaste my brother. (You'll be outted soon enough) :)
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Yes. It's anomalous nonsense.
Puskas' left nut
Guest
Then let's get another Australian club. That's right, there are no viable options at the moment
Puskas' left nut
Guest
Bowling? :) Just don't be so aggressive