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Expansion Thread 🪜

Looking like the best outcome would be Sth Melbourne and South Island United joining.
WU just doesn't seem to be able to get in a position to immediately return
 
I know we will disagree - but I actually think that if WUN is still in hibernation and Canberra's investors fail to stump up that ambitious NST foundation teams going to the ALM would add to both comps, the one proviso is that you need to backfill the NST. You want to be growing both comps.
Thats exactly the reason why I think the appetite has soured... The 20 mill (or even 14 million) entry is still a hurdle and the only NST (or otherwise) entity I can imagine being even remotely interested would be Avondale... NOT an ex NSL club with member to appease...
 
The thing about expansion is that it's not as simple as just adding a team. Under the current format you need an owner(s) who is firstly willing to stump up the exorbitant licence fee and then is willing and able to fund the team long term, which in reality means losing money year on year. That's why Canberra and Tassie don't exist, nobody is will to put in the cash.
So then, when we talk about expansion using existing clubs (eg: South Melbourne, Marconi, Wollongong, etc), we then have to ask the question, what would they gain from it? At this point in time, I'd argue very little. Running an A-League team is expensive, especially with the grant money heavily reduced. The APL is not going to just gift a licence to any of these clubs, they would need to buy in. Then once they are in the A-League, what do they get? No prize money. ACL spots are nice, but they are a double edged sword as unless you progress far enough, it's a net loss. They would get a bit more broader exposure to grow an audience, but it's still not great. They would get slightly better opportunities to sell players overseas, but again still not great. The only thing they really gain, is the ability to say they are in top tier of Australian football. Maybe at some point in the future it may make more sense, but right now a proper professional 2nd div would be far more attractive to these clubs than the A-League.
Thats exactly my point mate, what is there to gain from it at this stage?
 
Is there any appeal - or potential appeal - for clubs from Europe's big 5 or MLS to invest in Australian clubs, other than first choice of players? What was the appeal for the Bournemouth owner to invest in Auckland United? Genuine question as this is not a subject I have familiarised myself with much.
CFG did it so they can get around FFP rules when it comes to WAREHOUSING players...
 
yeah I'd be surprised if zero nst clubs are interested
Not sure where you see the millions of dollars for a license coming from? Apart from Avondale owner being pretty vocal about real estate ambition. the other ex NSL clubs like South and Preston have both spoken about being ready to compete on the pitch and keen to do so through promotion... NO MENTION of stumping up for an APL license mate...
 
Let's put in another way. If you could find 4 NSL/NST teams that could fulfil the licensing requirements - with increased sponsorship - could they pay $2-3m a year for a period of time. Four extra teams means you refresh the ALM but it also means you aren't required to stump up large amounts first up. Given that most of the clubs have their own ground they will have greater income and less expenditure than the current clubs.

Would that work?

Again - the proviso is that you need to backfill the NST (and hopefully expand it)
 
Not sure where you see the millions of dollars for a license coming from? Apart from Avondale owner being pretty vocal about real estate ambition. the other ex NSL clubs like South and Preston have both spoken about being ready to compete on the pitch and keen to do so through promotion... NO MENTION of stumping up for an APL license mate...
it would indeed require a massive drop or cancellation of the licence fee
 
Thanks for downloading this, what he writes is absolutely spot on especially his quote ‘the time for further procrastination is over’, unfortunately that’s all we do and have ever done.
Thanks, yep the A - league needs urgent attention if it is to survive and thrive. I really do believe the obvious sustainable solution is to add 2 or 3 ole NSL clubs and it will unite the footballing tribes too.
 
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