NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian remains confident a deal will be struck between Parramatta and the operators of the Western Sydney Stadium for the NRL club to play at the new venue next year.
The Eels revealed on Tuesday they were yet to reach an agreement with VenuesLive for use of the $300 million stadium, labelling a current offer “unacceptable” just a week before the NRL’s draw is released.
Each of Parramatta’s home games will be marked as venue TBC although the club was expected to open the 30,000-seat stadium in April.
Ms Berejiklian said she believed an agreement would be completed on time.
“We appreciate there’s always those nitty gritty negotiations, and we’re confident as a government we will get to a resolution,” she said.
“We expect all parties to be robust in the way they manage interactions with each other but we also expect a very good resolution for the people of NSW.”
Parramatta’s stadium deal shapes as a crucial component of the club’s future, with the contract understood to be for 15 years with an option in the Eels’ favour for another decade beyond that.
The Eels are already unhappy with their previous deal at ANZ Stadium, which is also managed by VenuesLive.
The deal was signed by previous club management, and the current regime claim it has contributed to their annual losses.
Parramatta engaged a consultancy group who told the club they were far worse off under the offer than a number of other sporting clubs at different stadiums across Australia.
“It’s still our objective to play there, we just have to make sure it’s on the right terms,” Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr told AAP on Tuesday.
“It’s all dependent on us getting what we believe is a fair and reasonable deal.
“We need to make sure we get those reasonable outcomes so we can invest in our football program, our junior footy program and our community initiatives.”
The stadium’s other anticipated major tenant, A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, did not want to be drawn into the matter on Wednesday and refused to comment when contacted.
It is understood a deal is also yet to be struck the Wanderers, although they are not expected to play at the venue until next summer.
Big Daddy
Guest
What have parramatta board been doing for last 2 years while stadium being built. Sitting on their backside and NRL administration probably haven't helped. How can this game go forward when we have incompetent people in charge at every level.
Tom G
Guest
When spending hundreds of millions on any new commercial property in the private sector, the key part of obtaining finance is to fully analyse its feasibility. This analysis has to satisfy investors that it will be able to deliver a positive yield. Critical to achieving that is occupancy and lease income particularly from anchor tenants. The Eels were always the anchor tenant for six months each year. This being the case, why the hell is this issue of costs coming to light now that the stadium is a reality? If this process was ignored then how was approval ever granted to start the demolition and construction of this potential white elephant? If it is just posturing on behalf of the Eels in order to get a better deal? To be honest either way it is amateur hour for all parties.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The government owns ANZ these days, they could just start charging the Eels a big rent at ANZ and it would be over in 2 seconds flat. Eels have also been allowed to extend their leagues club on public parkland while the local pool was disposed of. Why do the Eels such a huge favour and not make sure the Eels are locked in because of that when you know they already ran off to ANZ to get better deals over Parramatta previously.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
To be mildly fair to Gladys - The Stadium plan was hatched and announced prior to her being the Premier. She has since wound it back in some. Baird and Ayres should have had the deals in place. But between appointing an operator and then allowing the operator to negotiate deals, we would still be sitting here with no soil turned.
Rick
Guest
How incompetent must this government be to pull down and rebuild a stadium without first negotiating the conditions of playing there with the major home team? Of course, in the end a deal will be struck with Parramatta but the taxpayer will be footing the bill in order to make it acceptable for them. Parramatta hold the whip hand. Having pulled down the previous stadium and closed the existing swimming pool without ensuring where and when a new one would be be built Berejiklian put her incompetence on further display to go along with the cost blowout on WestConnex and the light rail project. God knows what will happen with Allianz and ANZ. Only disaster awaits.
your kidding
Guest
Why would you spend a fortune building a stadium without a anchor tenant ?
Wayne Turner
Guest
Gladys I'll believe it when I see it. So hopeless this state government. Novel idea: Deals should have been worked out BEFORE knocking down the old stadium,to build this new one. This is going as well ,as that quick and no fuss light rail in the city.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
If the NRL invested in stadia this wouldn't be a problem but clubs wish to play stadia off against each other hence Wests doesn't have a permanent home.
Paul
Roar Guru
Apart from Gladys throwing a lot of political blather, this story is identical to one posted yesterday.
Ches
Guest
Should be interesting. The Wanderers are waiting. If the Eels get the deal they want, watch the Wanderers play hardball.