Multi-club ownership model: The good, the bad and the ugly behind football's newest structural trend
The real concern comes down to football's growing trend of big corporations taking up slices of the world game at the expense of smaller teams.
Opinion
Most football fans follow multiple teams, and their second choice is more secretive than their first.
At the pub, you might proudly raise a glass to the Western Sydney Wanderers, but at home, you’re covertly streaming the next Wollongong Wolves match in private.
The National Premier League NSW starts again this weekend, but this time, the second bite from the cherry could be an acquired taste.
Ignore the previous NPL matches played, because frankly, they didn’t count. For the unbeaten Marconi Stallions, three previous rounds of football were flushed down the thunder box.
Such was their sacrifice for a rebooted NPL 2.0.
The current competition only showcases 11 rounds worth of action.
It’s short, sweet and to the point. Suddenly, things are starting to feel eerily like the Big Bash League of yesteryear.
Did I mention there’s no relegation either?
All of the above will probably infuriate purists of football, but such a move is necessary to protect smaller clubs from folding due to financial constraints.
Still, at least we have a competition, considering it was a whisker away from being cancelled.
It’s precisely why your second team needs you now more than ever. What happens in the NPL will eventually filter through to the bigger clubs.
Consider Macarthur FC. The Bulls will be recruiting new players, and the NPL will provide options for the expansion team.
From the Woolpack Hotel in Parramatta to the Great Northern in Chatswood, give a shout out to APIA Leichhardt or Sydney Olympic.
Because, if the lower leagues of football are properly taken care of, then the A-League will flourish.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The real concern comes down to football's growing trend of big corporations taking up slices of the world game at the expense of smaller teams.
Round 25 was a weekend of football that had plenty of action. There were five games due to the Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide…
Arsenal fans were outraged that Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson got off scot-free for this challenge in the Gunners' 5-0 win.
Kai Havertz has scored twice against his former team and Ben White also got a brace as Arsenal brushed aside a dismal Chelsea side…
Goalkeeper Jamie Young: 2-1 win for Melbourne City against Western Sydney Wanderers. Full game played, seven saves, 29/47 passing. Young had a very strong…
Central Coast Mariners' star striker Angel Torres has been stood down from playing in the A-League Men after he was charged with sexual assault. …