The Frank Lowy Thread

el-capitano · Mar 31, 2008

Like him or loathe him, you can't deny his passion for the game!

FRANK LOWY wants to stay on as chairman of Football Federation Australia when his term expires in 2011 - providing he remains in "top shape".

Lowy, 77, was initially hand-picked to run the sport by the Federal Government in 2003, following the Crawford Report that recommended sweeping reforms to the governance of the game. Last year, Australia's third-richest man was re-elected unopposed for a further four years following the first vote held under the new FFA constitution.

Even though the Westfields founder will be in his 80s when he is due to face the stakeholders again, Lowy yesterday revealed he had no plans to retire - admitting the bid for the 2018 World Cup had energised him.

"I expect to be here until 2011, and if I'm in good shape then I will seriously consider whether to stay beyond that," he said.

"You can't do this job unless you're in top shape, so it underlines everything. I hope my health keeps me in top shape … In my day job I deal in leases, long-term leases - five years, 10 years, 20 years. This lease can be up any moment, but I hope not. I look after myself, and I want to be here to see the benefits to come to Australia out of the effort I'm putting to the improvement of the game."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/a-lease-of-life/2008/03/31/1206850812224.html

cool_cat2007 · Mar 31, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

why would anyone loathe him? With out him we would have gotten nowehere. he single handidly revived the game in Oz.

Glory08 · Apr 1, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

Indeed and good news he's keen to stay on for a while yet .

RED STRIPE MAGIC · Apr 2, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

i wonder whats going to happen when his gone. who are qwe gonna find a person in australia who has the passion and money for the game. hopfully they dont find someone who knows nothing about the game.

Glory08 · Apr 2, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

I'm guessing one the the board members may succeed him. Maybe someone like that Phil Wolanski character, the football brains of the board? If that's his name.

But yeah Frank Lowy is pretty unique, impossible to replace him. Maybe his son might do it, if he's on the board. But I'm not sure if nepotism would be allowed and though some of us might consider Frank Lowy akin to royalty, I think that might be pushing it too far, to have heritary succession?

el-capitano · Apr 3, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

Interesting interview with Lowy on all things Football, from World Cups, Pim, A-League, free to air tv and expansion.......

Getting the Lowy treatment

Gold is the Colour · Apr 4, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

el-capitano said: ↑

Interesting interview with Lowy on all things Football, from World Cups, Pim, A-League, free to air tv and expansion.......

Getting the Lowy treatment

Damn good article. Especially liked the following:

Q Are you happy with where the game is right now, and what are the priorities over the next 12 months?

A Yes, I'm happy, and if you're reasonably objective you can see we are doing very well in many departments. But I don't want to say we are satisfied. We are working brick by brick on our plans. The next 12 months, from the playing point of view, it's the World Cup and the A-League. We are paying a lot of attention to that. We have, I believe, selected the right [Socceroos] coach [Pim Verbeek]. Obviously we expect to be there [at the World Cup]. Obviously it would be a great, great, disappointment if we weren't. It's very, very, very, important that we make it.

This is very important. In the past we have had many false dawns due to rushing in, now we must take it slowly and make sure everything is done right. Fits in with this part:

Q Another key issue for the game is A-League expansion. Recently you suggested there would be two new teams [Gold Coast and North Queensland] in the league next season [2008-09], but in the end the FFA decided to wait. Are you concerned an opportunity has been lost, particularly on the Gold Coast?

A It would have been better if we'd done it this year, no question about that. But we looked at these teams, and how ready they were. We could have forced it, but rather than have two weak teams, we'll have two strong teams in 2009. It will happen. It was quite a big decision, but I think the momentum will not go away. They'll be back, they're there, we're just discussing with them what needs to be done to prepare.

Q What areas do you believe offer the best potential for future A-League teams?

A The Gold Coast seems to be very good; Townsville, surprisingly, seems to be very good. We can have new teams in Melbourne and Sydney, they will create great interest. We'll get more than double the crowds we're getting now. If you add two and two you want to get five, not three. People are talking in Hobart, in Wollongong … I think Australia can support a 14-team competition. But not [expanding] all at once.

He also got this part correct IMO:

Q A broader issue for the A-League is free-to-air television. Is there genuine interest from FTA networks? Are you willing or able to negotiate, and when could it happen?

A Let's be realistic, we have an agreement with Foxtel. Thank God for that, or we wouldn't be here otherwise. We have an agreement until 2013. I doubt they will say, 'Here, have half our games and you can give them to free-to-air'. They want to be rewarded for what they did, and they ought to be congratulated for what they did. They took a risk. But we need pay TV and free-to-air. I don't know how we will achieve it. But we will achieve it in the next round of negotiations, if not before. Circumstances need to be created, we are looking for opportunities. I'm not putting a lot of money on it. You can't expect a company to sign an agreement and give half the benefits away. We have some ideas. Maybe they will come off, maybe not. Certainly in 2013, we'll be competitive. No doubt we'll get more money than we did in 2004. It's a growing business, so we'll need more money, and we'll get more money - whether it's through TV, or other avenues.

AllWhitebeliever · Apr 4, 2008

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

It would be fair justice if Australia gets to host the World Cup before Franky kicks the bucket. It would be a great for him to see the fruit of his labour, IMHO.

el-capitano · Apr 13, 2010

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

FOOTBALL Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy is considering buying one-time English giants Leeds United after commissioning a report into the venture.

The Sun-Herald can reveal Lowy engaged a Leeds-based sporting agent to compile a due diligence report on the club in January.

Lowy, whose personal fortune is estimated to be more than $6 billion, is understood to now have a paper that states despite Leeds being in England's third-tier competition - Football League One - they remain a strong brand with a massive supporter base, drawing crowds of 25,000-plus.

While FFA said Lowy was overseas and unavailable for comment yesterday, the reasons for his interest in the club could be to give Australian players a base, to reinforce Australia's World Cup bid or simply an investment opportunity.

The Leeds squad contains two Australians - Patrick Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny - and Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Paul Okon, Tony Dorigo and Jacob Burns all had stints at Elland Road.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/footbal...-leeds-united-to-portfolio-20100410-rzpz.html

Caesar · Apr 14, 2010

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

Leeds is actually a pretty good investment at the moment - if you can ever describe a football club as a good investment. If they could just find a way to get rid of their debt, they'd be back at the top of the Championship in no time.

epris · Apr 14, 2010

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

I have always had a soft spot for leeds, yet i'd rather see him spend his buckets of money on the local game...

vonni · Apr 15, 2010

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

Methinks Lowy would do a much better job at reviving Leeds than what Ken Bates is doing at the moment

Caesar · Apr 15, 2010

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

vonni said: ↑

Methinks Lowy would do a much better job at reviving Leeds than what Ken Bates is doing at the moment

Christopher Skase would do a better job than Ken Bates. Even taking into account the fact he's dead.

zhuangzi · Apr 15, 2010

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

... that's just what he wants you to think.

el-capitano · Jul 25, 2011

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

FRANK Lowy is to face a revolt against his leadership of soccer when former Soccer Australia director Dominic Galati intends to stand against him at Football Federation Australia's annual general meeting.

In what is certain to become an acrimonious conflict, Galati will make a pitch to the broad "old soccer" constituency that he will claim has been isolated by the Lowy regime.

Though Galati declined to comment on his candidacy, his supporters believe he has widespread backing already and can muster the numbers to defeat Lowy in the first public opposition to the billionaire's eight-year stewardship of the game.

Galati was elected to the board of Soccer Australia in October 2002, months before it was wound up by the Crawford Report.

His supporters will point to his track record as a promoter, bringing Manchester United and France here, and he previously spent a decade as head of sport at SBS.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-for-ffa-top-job/story-e6frey4r-1226101016040

el-capitano · Feb 28, 2012

Re: Lowy to lead FFA beyond 80

Lowy on Palmer

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy labelled accusations made by Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer as illogical, confused and damaging.

"Day by day the comments emanating from the Gold Coast are more illogical and more confusing and even more damaging for our game," FFA chairman Lowy said at a Melbourne Heart business luncheon.

"I'm surprised when these ramblings are taken seriously and picked up by others.

"I'm at a loss to understand the motive behind it all."

Lowy questioned whether mining magnate Palmer wanted his A-League investment in the Gold Coast to be a success.

He described Gold Coast United as being a "spectacular failure" in terms of connecting with the local community and attracting crowds to their home games.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1095397/Lowy-rejects-Palmer-s-accusations

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