Ben Buckley's- Future A-League Plans

[midfielder]

Maybe this should have gone under the A_league Expansion thread ... and maybe it could be moved there latter... But BB giving his thoughts on the was worth a thread on its own ... at least for now anyway...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/in-defence-of-the-aleague-20100417-skrz.html

In defence of the A-League
BEN BUCKLEY
April 17, 2010 - 12:27AM
The Hyundai A-League has been a bold plan from day one.

Building a national competition in capital and regional cities around the country involved pushing the boundaries, taking on the establishment and taking calculated risks.

It started as an eight team competition with the vision to expand in a controlled and progressive manner.

We pushed into the territories of the Gold Coast and North Queensland and are set to welcome teams in the major markets of Melbourne and western Sydney.

Those markets were identified as ripe for new football teams due to their size, business activity, high youth demographic and existing sporting culture including a rich history of football.

In its first year North Queensland Fury averaged crowds of almost 8000. When you consider no professional football was played in North Queensland before this team it is a very positive step.

We expect teams in Melbourne and Sydney to help build excitement through rivalry and help us tap into the huge numbers of listed football players in these areas.

It needs to be remembered that the Hyundai A-League is only five years old.

The product is strong, it is getting stronger and every year we gain more spectators, viewers and media space while continuing to generate more excitement and passion for football fans.

Of course there will be some hiccups along the way, a little bit of turbulence if you like.

Not every decision will be right but we will not stop the growth of our competition.

There is rarely expansion without growing pains.

We learn from the past and we will continue to build our competition as it is based on a vision.

That vision is growth.

There is still more work to be done and we are implementing changes each season that will help boost both the business of football and the attraction of the competition.

We will make some exciting announcements soon around fixtures, regulations and player recruitment intended to attract more Australian players back from overseas, create more professional opportunities for young players and boost the depth of player squads. We are also looking into our own Cup competition.

The football community should be hard markers and football fans deserve a national competition that is accessible.

They have waited a long time to win the respect of their peers and it is understandable they are impatient about the development of the competition.

The Hyundai A-League is in its infancy and while celebrated leagues around the world have been established for decades with little or no serious competition we are forced to compete for our place in Australia's sporting culture.

Our national competition is no longer the joke of the Australian sporting landscape.

There is recognition that Hyundai A-League football clubs can play on a truly international stage and have the potential to tap into markets in Asia and the rest of the world.

This is evident in our growing involvement in the AFC Champions League where Hyundai A-League teams are receiving high levels of exposure in international markets including China, South Korea and Japan.

We have made some giant steps in recent years and there are more to be made very soon as we continue to develop and grow.

We are building on a platform that is growing year-by-year and there are bound to be some challenges and issues along the way.

This year more than 1.5 million people came through the gates to our games and we averaged more than 10,000 per game.

The A-League has come a long way in five years.

As we all focus on how far we have got to go it is also important to focus on how far we have come.

Ben Buckley is the chief executive of Football Federation Australia

 

[Jesus]

So basically we can assume an aussie marquee i think post world cup, and either more spots in youth teams, or more youth teams, eg heart and fury, or bigger playing squad.

Hopefully it means 5 subs on the bench

 

[kevrenor]

As relevant a thread as any for this (unconfirmed source) article:

"FOOTBALL Federation Australia has announced the addition of an Australian-only marquee player position for A-League clubs in a bid to convince big-name Socceroo stars to return home for a competition in urgent need of a spark.

The new concept is also designed to encourage A-League clubs to re-establish the intention of the original marquee position, which some clubs have effectively used as a tool to keep their highest-paid player - but not necessarily of a marquee standard - off the salary cap. The FFA is privately hoping the clubs will now use the original marquee position for a big-name foreign player in the mould of Robbie Fowler or Dwight Yorke.

With Australia's World Cup squad set to boast a range of veterans in the final stages of their European careers, the FFA is expecting several big names to return to the A-League before next season. Club rosters will stay at a capacity of 23 players, meaning marginally more money can be spent on players whose salaries are counted inside the cap.

The announcement will come as a huge boost for Sydney FC, in particular, who have been pondering a move for Fowler and Nicky Carle. Both can now command marquee wages, though negotiations with the duo are still a long way from being completed.

Other clubs such as Gold Coast United would now be able to retain Shane Smeltz and Jason Culina outside of the salary cap. Cashed-up sides such as Melbourne Victory could opt to move Archie Thompson to the local marquee position while putting money towards a big-name foreign marquee, or using the spot to keep Carlos Hernandez at the club.

However, not all clubs will be thrilled about the new changes, given that several are struggling to stay afloat and cope with the rising financial pressures of competing in the competition.

The FFA will argue that the changes will create a surge of new interest, particularly if clubs are able to sign a player who enjoyed a prominent role at the World Cup.

The news comes as a timely shot in the arm for the A-League after a season of waning attendances - a period FFA chairman Frank Lowy described last year as a ''plateau'' after four consecutive years of growth. Subsequent news of trouble at Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury has shown how tough some clubs are finding the marketplace.

In a further boost to clubs looking to increase their marketability, the FFA has granted clubs the right to sign a guest player for up to 10 matches. For the first time, guest players will also be able to play in the finals, provided they have played in four matches before the finals series.

However, the quota for foreign players has not been lifted, with five positions being left available for non-Australian players"

 

[elevated position]

Now what business enterprises on the coast would benifit from a local marquee player, Bluetounge, Belkin, Mars, Employment Plus??

 

[midfielder]

Kev

It makes sense to have the Socceroo marquee to me... allow a couple of big clubs to sign some big names to boost the league... Harry to Rovers is obovious ... Lucas Neil, Bresh, Emo to others will add to crowds and should increase media.

 

[Jesus]

Kev

It makes sense to have the Socceroo marquee to me... allow a couple of big clubs to sign some big names to boost the league... Harry to Rovers is obovious ... Lucas Neil, Bresh, Emo to others will add to crowds and should increase media.

I cant see it doing much. Most clubs cant afford a marquee. Assuming the tards broke even they are the only ones who can, and they have an aussie marquee.

Sydney/GC/Fury/Perth/Bris all are losing alot of cash.
Sydney/GC/Perth/Bris all had "Aussie Marquees"

I dont think a marquee has paid his wages for a club yet. I doubt there will be much more luck with 2.

I think the big difference is Syd/Melb will have 2 players outside the salary cap, giving them an even greater advantage over those who will have only 1 or none eg us, fury, bris, well, scum.

It really only makes for a 2 tier system unless it is implemented after all clubs are close to or breaking even, and the longer the season gets, the more obvious that will become

 

[scottmac]

I think the club it would benefit most would be Perth.

If given the chance to take 2 marquee's IMO the would and the crowds that it would generate over there would be awesome. They are serious about getting Fowler now so cash doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Lets assume a returning socceroo marquee costs you $1m a season all up.

If you got $250k sponsorship (massive ask), you have to fund $750k

Over 15 home games, thats an extra $30k a game. For CCM with a break even figure of 10k, we would need to get crowds of 11,500 on average (at $20 a ticket) just to cover the cost.

No sponsorship and that goes up to 3,333 people ON TOP OF the average we need.

Big punt for someone and a risk I wouldnt take.

Also, you only get the benefit once, 2nd season would require same crowds but the novelty would have worn off.

 

[midfielder]

Lets assume a returning socceroo marquee costs you $1m a season all up.

If you got $250k sponsorship (massive ask), you have to fund $750k

Over 15 home games, thats an extra $30k a game. For CCM with a break even figure of 10k, we would need to get crowds of 11,500 on average (at $20 a ticket) just to cover the cost.

No sponsorship and that goes up to 3,333 people ON TOP OF the average we need.

Big punt for someone and a risk I wouldnt take.

Also, you only get the benefit once, 2nd season would require same crowds but the novelty would have worn off.

Not quite using your figures..

1 million salary, plus sponsors the player would sign say another 200K..therefore the player makes say 1.2 million.. that is not bad...

Marimers up for 1 million less sponsors 250K = 750K less the wage you would have had to play a top A-League player say 200 K = 550 K to be found over 15 home games ...plus preseason, plus sale of shirts etc

Domestic Comp games .. 15 games @ $15.00 ... 2, 250 per game ... 506, 250
Preseason games ............3 games @ 15>00 ... ....800 per game ......36, 000
Finals games ... assume none...............................................................0
Sale of Shirts etc ......................................................................10, 000

Totals ....................................................................................552, 250..

Seems worth the risk to me...also is calulated at only $ 15.00 per head and no allowance for finals...

 

[scottmac]

Lets assume a returning socceroo marquee costs you $1m a season all up.

If you got $250k sponsorship (massive ask), you have to fund $750k

Over 15 home games, thats an extra $30k a game. For CCM with a break even figure of 10k, we would need to get crowds of 11,500 on average (at $20 a ticket) just to cover the cost.

No sponsorship and that goes up to 3,333 people ON TOP OF the average we need.

Big punt for someone and a risk I wouldnt take.

Also, you only get the benefit once, 2nd season would require same crowds but the novelty would have worn off.

Not quite using your figures..

1 million salary, plus sponsors the player would sign say another 200K..therefore the player makes say 1.2 million.. that is not bad...

Marimers up for 1 million less sponsors 250K = 750K less the wage you would have had to play a top A-League player say 200 K = 550 K to be found over 15 home games ...plus preseason, plus sale of shirts etc

Domestic Comp games .. 15 games @ $15.00 ... 2, 250 per game ... 506, 250
Preseason games ............3 games @ 15>00 ... ....800 per game ......36, 000
Finals games ... assume none...............................................................0
Sale of Shirts etc ......................................................................10, 000

Totals ....................................................................................552, 250..

Seems worth the risk to me...also is calulated at only $ 15.00 per head and no allowance for finals...

Thats 2250 on top of the 10k break even point yeah?

Seems like a stretch

 

[elevated position]

non of this can work unless sponsors are large enough to be able to support the marquee players.
And then the players attraction for the sponsor would have to be worth while as well.
Which is why I can't see carle making us drink more solo.
So the players that will generate the required interest are few. And they still command more money overseas.
It will only be players topping up their pension funds and of little financial gain for the clubs involved.

 

[midfielder]

Thats 2250 on top of the 10k break even point yeah?

Seems like a stretch


I think the break even is around the 11 to 11.5 K TBH.

 

[Jesus]

Thats 2250 on top of the 10k break even point yeah?

Seems like a stretch


I think the break even is around the 11 to 11.5 K TBH.

Dont forget for most clubs they would use their full cap as well, so you would not take off that 100-200k

 

[curious]

How about the squad tries to perform fair to middling next season, the club reconnect with the community and gain a couple extra thousand average attendance without the need to waste dollars equal to the wages of 10 players on a less than an even money chance of 'any' return on the outlay.

The two marquee system smells of lobbying by self interested parties. Whom they are, I don't know, but I won't go 'blue' in the face wondering.

 

[midfielder]

The two marquee system smells of lobbying by self interested parties. Whom they are, I don't know, but I won't go 'blue' in the face wondering.

Both Sky Blue from the north & a royal dark blue from the colder south.

 

[marinermick]

The two marquee system smells of lobbying by self interested parties. Whom they are, I don't know, but I won't go 'blue' in the face wondering.

Might have been to placate Jabba the Hut. He does bankroll one team and put lots of dollars in another.

I also think the big clubs of Perth, Sydney and Melbourne would have been in favour.

Good news for Melbourne. Archie as their Australian marquee and now they can go for a massive South American.

Perth can have Fowler and Sterj, and Sydney can have Carle and another biggie.

With this move, the youth marquee being able to be spread across three players and third party agreements there is a massive erosion of the salary cap.

 

[elevated position]

Unless our own jabba the hut falls frm the sky CCM better start to reconnect with local business.
And they better do their homework as to how the approach is. Statistics show 90% of business on the coast employ less than 10 people and 85% of sole traders dont employ anyone.
So where do the sponsors come from? And how long can they support the team which does not give them any real exposure.
For CCM to attract marquee style players the marketing department will need to find some good companies who whish to donate. And as we could not be considered a sexy propersition with a huge fan base we do have one thing going for us at the moment and that is the COE. Somehow it has to be built quickly and with a lot of architechual style as well as the training facilities.
The COE will attract corporate dollars (nike etc) if it is shown as the world class centre we would like it to be. If it is done on the piecemeal method that it is currently planned. training grounds here slight reno in the bar sit for two three years and see what happens someone else will take up the challenge and that is where the money will go

 

[scottmac]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/out-of-africa-ffa-heel-dragging-scuttles-ambitious-marconi-scheme-20100420-srv5.html

I would love to hear the reason behind the FFA's failure to act on this. What are the second teir comps if not the breeding ground for A-League talent. Which A-League team would not want to see these young guys playing week in week out leading up to next season?

 

[curious]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/out-of-africa-ffa-heel-dragging-scuttles-ambitious-marconi-scheme-20100420-srv5.html

I would love to hear the reason behind the FFA's failure to act on this. What are the second teir comps if not the breeding ground for A-League talent. Which A-League team would not want to see these young guys playing week in week out leading up to next season?

Sorry, I didn't see your post before I started a thread regarding this matter.

 

[elevated position]

I watched Marconi (my other team) 5 times last season and the guys mentioned play ok ALeague standard ? Then again I would swap Toure for one of the bludgers that got sent packing.
The article is interesting as over the last few years on this site we have asked the question of scouting Africa etc and maybe we now know why its not done, FFA regards only players already of A League standard need apply or are they taking the  heavy stand to allow the yoof system to develope and therefore looking after our own?