The AFL has pledged $360 million for a team in Tasmania should the island state’s push for a 19th licence, which remains contingent on funding for a new stadium, come to fruition.
The money, to be spent over a decade, includes $100 million in game development and $33 million to develop young players in three new “talent academies”.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan made the announcement at a tourism and business industry lunch in Hobart on Thursday.
He said $210 million would be rolled out for a new club over a decade to cover “base funding”, including specialist list establishment.
Tasmania’s admission to the AFL is contingent on securing funding for a proposed $715-million stadium project at Hobart’s Macquarie Point.
The state Liberal government has pledged $375 million towards the infrastructure and is seeking $240 million from the federal Labor government.
The proposal is being assessed by the federal government ahead of their next budget, to be delivered in May.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday described Macquarie Point as a “prime site” not just for a stadium but also residential, recreational and commercial activities.
“I’m working closely with (Tasmanian Premier) Jeremy Rockliff and his government on these issues,” he told reporters.
McLachlan said the AFL would chip in $15 million toward the stadium, as previously announced, but indicated the league could shift on that figure.
“Without a stadium there is no team. The stadium is now the last key requirement,” he said.
“We have a moment in time here decades in the making, to have a strong Tasmanian team and a sustainable club.”
The stadium proposal expects $85 million to be garnered for the project through borrowings against land sale or lease for commercial uses.
The AFL announcement comes the day after 10 Tasmanian federal politicians signed a letter urging the league to grant the state a team without the requirement of a new stadium.
“Tasmania is one of the founding football states and has a long history of making rich contributions to the national game,” the letter reads.
“We deserve a team of our own without having to make taxpayers pay for a stadium – something no other state has had to do to get a team.”
Liberal MPs Bridget Archer and Gavin Pearce and independent senators Andrew Wilkie and Jacquie Lambie are among those to have signed the letter, along with members of the Greens.
Tasmania’s Labor opposition is also against the stadium proposal, saying the state’s stretched essential services need greater funding.
Rockliff conceded it was a “tough sell” but said he would never say no to an opportunity.
“We’ve been excluded because we don’t have the infrastructure that every other state has. Tasmania should not be overlooked. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he told the event.
McLachlan’s visit to Tasmania also included a stop in Launceston in the north.
He said there was a “loud and clear” message that grassroots football in Tasmania needed to be supported.
Republican
Guest
Thats an AFL strategy to ensure there is no team for Tassie and one that is compatible with their symbiosis with the networks. The AFL would prefer an option with diddly footy heritage in the guise of 'growing' the code, when its actually about growing their plutocratic empire. This will also please the likes of Hawthorn since all FIFO maggots expedience of heartlands, is what keeps them afloat. In Canberras case, its GWS with its concocted demographic that commands a greater television bang for your buck.
Elmer Higgins
Guest
Have to say as a lifelong Aussie rules fan I am a bit over the AFL 'organisation'. They are a ruthless business. They want a 'dome' in Hobart, the 2nd driest capital city in Australia. Utterly fucking ridiculous. Bellerive and Launceston is fine for starters. I'd kick out the AFL commission though. This is all just a delaying stunt and obfuscation. The tax payer props you lot up and you still stick it behind a pay wall. Fuck the AFL and their bullshit phoney virtue signalling! They only do gay and abo pride things for profit. WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There's always a shortfall because there are always blow-outs. That has no impact on a government's social support or cultural enrichment policies or its funding. The two programmes are not related to each other and, economically, have no impact on each other.
G money
Roar Rookie
you can rationally argue for the benefits of the stadium. but you are wrong if you believe that government funding for the stadium won't produce a shortfall elsewhere. surely you cannot disagree with that?
G money
Roar Rookie
Exactly mate.. if all the economic arguments stood up, why wouldn't a private company build the stadium? they don't stack up, so the taxpayers pick up the bill.. at the detriment yo other more worthy projects
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Not that this is analysis or help. Probably neither
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
When mine got bad l could pop it like a lemon. Then the doc said it can get caught and cause your gut a big doo doo when trying to do a poo poo
Jack
Guest
Multi $ billion Businesses should build their own factories.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nup. That would be a weird reason.
Brian
Guest
Probably closer to struggling because you don't understand the eoncomics of scarcity and opportunity cost.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
The dude abides :thumbup:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
That must explain elective surgery on hold, damn my bloody inguinal hernia op was put on hold for over 10 months while my intestine decided to drop into my n.t. excruciating pain :boxing: :laughing: :boxing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
So true. Get the team up n running.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That's not what my Microbiology lecturer said.
nics
Roar Rookie
I see you too are a man of culture. I've done my time in the public service.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Yes. I've sat in enough of the equivalent in Teacher Staff meetings.
nics
Roar Rookie
Have you seen the series 'Utopia'? Enough said.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The main thing that needs to be sated is the unfathomable greed that middlemen will extract for the opaque services and benefits they render.
nics
Roar Rookie
Without considering the very large elephant in the room, namely the opportunity cost of spending this money on a stadium, it would be interesting to see the net present value of the expected revenue generated by the stadium, and the assumptions that underly those predictions. This is especially given the following factors (1) average incomes in Tasmania; (2) the distance between Launceston and Hobart; and (3) expected uses for the stadium outside footy season (which probably depends a lot on the ICC scheduling more Tests in Australia, but perhaps Ed Sheeran will be in every year for a concert). One could argue that the residential/commercial development of the surrounding precincts might bring in more revenue, but on the other hand the costs of those developments need to be factored in (including the state government discounting public land to ‘encourage’ developers to build, as happened in Perth’s Elizabeth Quay and Burswood redevelopments). The TV series ‘Utopia’ comes to mind.
Mwm
Guest
“ you need a new stadium….my developer mates need to make another billion”. What a spineless corporate shill he is. Why are the current stadiums In Hobart and Launceston good enough for visiting AFL teams like Hawthorn and North Melbourne to play out of but not a local team? Save your money and spend it on a hospital or the housing crisis in your state. Wait till Gill leaves and seek a better deal from the new CEO.