Brisbane City FC has announced their intentions to join the top tier of Australian football, putting forth a bid for an A-League expansion license on Friday.
Bid chairman Robert Cavallucci will be fronting a team that has already released an 80-page document outlining the bidding strategy and process.
“Brisbane City has a compelling history, a 65-year football legacy that celebrates the role it continues to play in growing this beautiful game,” Cavallucci said.
“This is truly an exciting day for the club.”
The bid will be based on Cavallucci’s five-year plan and the pillars that focus on all the variable aspects of becoming a part of the A-League.
“Our five-year plan focuses on the four pillars of football, community, commercial and pathway,” he said.
“With a laser focus on delivering outcomes that capture the attention of modern football fans and fueling the growth of the game in Australia.”
If successful, the new club will be rebranded officially as the Gladiators, a mascot of the club for many years, while they will also come with a new logo and team colours to represent the switch.
The club will be hoping to make a profitable move to Ballymore Stadium as well for their home ground to accommodate the larger scale of competition and television hosting.
Despite the aforementioned 80-page outline of the bid, Cavallucci understands the importance of patience among such a massive process.
“Our bid is complete, our financial model secure. We are ready for expansion of the A- League,” he said.
“We know that an expanded A-League is more than being all about us, first and foremost.
“Alongside Brisbane football fans, our preference is for sooner rather than later, however we understand and acknowledge the process and timing the FFA requires to implement expansion in a sustainable way.”
City has been in the National Premier Leagues Queensland for many years now and are currently coached by former Socceroo and A-League manager John Kosmina who is sitting in the middle of a three-year-deal.
The possible inclusion of the Brisbane side has opened up new opportunities for a Queensland derby with the Roar.
Ventures in the past to create a rivalry with Brisbane have been less than ideal, with both the North Queensland Fury and Gold Coast United only managing short and largely unsuccessful stints in the A-League.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
They have the Roar bid to look at, dissect and work out what worked and what didn't so hopefully they won't make the same mistakes.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
What an excellent, informed comment Isaac, especially after the stats that came out recently saying football has over 1.2 million players nationally compared to Rugby Leagues 250,000 odd. The supporters are there but a lot just need a team that they can identify with and I think for a large number City/Gladiators would be that club. A very large number of brisbane football fans did not back the Roar and would likely be very interested in a professionally run club and the derby matches would be sold out and have a magnificent atmosphere.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
Hipsters are West End which is token northside! :-)
Isaac
Guest
What a ridiculous idea. Plain and simple there is no need for a second Brisbane Based A-League side. Rugby League is the premier sport in Brisbane and they don't even have 2 sides. What a gigantic waste of money a second football team in Brisbane would be. Stupidity at its finest.
Ian
Guest
were….= Where two…..= too of……..= off Martyn50 = ????? Thanks for your crap posts again.
Lionheart
Guest
read where their bid covers all aspects in its 80 pages, including public transport, ticketing and a game day experience to include food stalls/trucks - compare that thought to the exorbitant prices we pay for greasy chips at Suncorp. Apparently QRU also wants to play at a refurbished Ballymore but I'd expect they'd work cooperatively to avoid ground damage pre A League matches.
Nemesis
Guest
"Why would those teams succeed in a professional comp now when they failed in a semi-pro comp before?" The business world is filled with examples of organisations that became hugely successful after initial failure. PayPal, to Google, to Facebook, to Apple are all examples of companies that went through periods of extreme failure & are now thriving. Some changed their structure. Some changed their offerings. Some changed their branding. Here is a list of 13 Business Leaders who failed before they succeeded. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/13-business-leaders-who-failed-before-they-succeeded/ It doesn't mean everyone who fails will eventually succeed. But, don't dismiss people who fail by assuming they'll fail again. The winners won't repeat the mistakes that made them fail.
mwm
Guest
I meant the people that come on here to knock football that nemesis uses as proof to say football is winning because non fans are talking about the game, isn't actually proof of anything. All it proves is that there a few bloggers who like to goad football fans. I believe there is interest in a 2nd division... just not nearly as much as people think there is... not enough to make it sustainable anyway
mwm
Guest
The only problem with that nemesis is the bulk of the teams you are suggesting to make a 2nd tier ( big teams in the state NPL) were the the bulk of teams that made up the failed NSL. Why would those teams succeed in a professional comp now when they failed in a semi-pro comp before? Clubs may say they can find the cash... but can they sustain it for say 10 years?? That's the real question.... also would a tv channel fund this league adequately ( where real revenue underpins all leagues). BTW I am a genuine football fan ( albeit a cautious one)
Chris
Guest
Good post Kaizer. Codes seem to be fixated on large soulless stadiums and neglect the boutique suburban grounds. Ballymore's capacity is 15-20k? Sounds perfect to me.
Chris
Guest
mwm its not the so-called 10 or so people blogging on here thats calling for a second tier. Its business owners and the football community at large that is calling for it. Some will prosper and some wont but one thing is for sure, the world is their oyster. There is a tipping point where casual fans become a little more serious in following a team. With over 1million people playing the game, its already in the hearts and minds of so many people.
Sydneysider
Guest
Correct Punter. And no Canberra isn't Western Sydney.
Nemesis
Guest
@mwm "26-28 teams by next year? How is that even logical when clubs are losing so much money?" Right now - this week end- there are 93 teams participating in the 2nd Tier of Australian football VIC: 14 WA: 14 NSW: 12 QLD: 12 SA: 12 NNSW: 11 ACT: 10 TAS: 8 The strongest 14-16 of these teams could form a National 2nd Division today & start in 6 months. The only significant additional cost would be: 13-15 interstate flights, 1 night's accommodation & incidentals (food, local transfers, etc.) for about 20 people. I'd estimate the average additional annual cost to be: $30,000 per team per interstate trip = $1.5k costs x 20 people x 15 away trips So, around $1/2 million extra per season for a National 2nd Division compared to State 2nd Division. Can NPL clubs raise an additional $1/2m? In a heartbeat. People don't appreciate the financial support that's available from local businesses for local sport. Businesses would have no trouble sponsoring a local club in a National Football League for $10-20k.
Brisvegas
Guest
I must be a hipster.
mwm
Guest
You can't seriously take what at most is 5-10 people blogging on a sports website and extrapolate that to be genuine interest in football can you? You know... the type that produces genuine fans who watch the game and pay for tickets ... not the type that just loves a bit of ribbing to a rival fan. 26-28 teams by next year? How is that even logical when clubs are losing so much money?
punter
Guest
Despite missing GF by 1 game & near top again this year. Most people in Western Sydney would know Ronaldo yet couldn't name 1 player in the GWS team.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
As a rugby diehard, I hope this goes through and the new franchise keeps Ballymore. QLD Reds walked away from the ground and grateful that footballers will bring the old girl back to life. Officially a fan of this new club if it comes through. Fingers crossed.
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
AFL attendences up 15% so far this year. A League is what?
Bill
Guest
How dos this second tier get commercially viable?
punter
Guest
Didn't stop the AFL in Greater Western Sydney, no support, for a competition you reckon has average attendances of 50K, they barely reach 5K.