NSL Taskforce Recommendations To Be Released Monday 8th December

[Crowdie]

Australian Soccer Association Chairman Mr Frank Lowy will hold a media conference in Sydney on Monday 8 December to publicly release the NSL Task Force report recommendations.

The NSL Taskforce, set up to consider the structure of a new National Soccer League competition, has completed its report and these recommendations have been presented to the ASA Board for consideration.

A copy of the NSL Task Force report will be made available to the Australian soccer family at 12noon (AEST) on the ASA website, http://www.australiansoccer.com.au/

Crowdie

[Crowdie]

The NSL Taskforce, set up by the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) Board to consider the structure of a new National Soccer League competition, has completed its report and these recommendations have been presented to the ASA Board for consideration.

In delivering its recommendations, the Task Force was required to consider a range of issues, which are contained in the Terms of Reference, and to consult with existing clubs and other interested parties as part of its deliberations.

The Task Force recommended a fresh start for the way top-level soccer is to be organised and played in Australia and recommended a structure that provides for:

· A league of 10 clubs from the major cities, including one from New Zealand, to be selected on business merit, with flexibility to increase this number should suitable expressions of interest warrant this.
· A summer competition, starting in October each year.
· The League as a separate legal entity licensed by ASA.
· A business-oriented organisation, governed by an independent board.
· A clear distinction between governance and management.
· A well structured and resourced central administration.
· An adequately capitalised organisation at both League and club level.
· Criteria and benchmarks that provide the platform for a competition of quality, both on and off the field.
· A selection process that provides fairness for all applicants, current NSL clubs and new investors alike.
· Certainty of tenure during the first five years of the League for clubs and their investors.

It should be pointed out that the Task Force has produced recommendations for an optimum model, but recognises that these might not be achievable in totality immediately, but incrementally, during the first three (3) to five (5) years of the new League. It is also important to note that the Task Force did not deal with the issue of the commercial marketing of the League, this being outside the Terms of Reference, and will be handled by the ASA during the initial period. As a consequence, the issue of League revenues from the sale of its marketing properties was not addressed.

Not only is the establishment of a quality competition necessary for the growth of the commercial game, it is essential if ASA is to achieve the fundamental objectives of:

· Engaging the game’s huge fan base.
· Further development of the game at grass roots.
· Increased player participation.
· Further development of elite players.
· Success at national team level.
· Involvement in international club competition, particularly within Asia.

In presenting its recommendations, the Task Force is confident that the general public, the media and potential sponsors will accept them as being essential to the re-establishment, growth and success of a national competition.

For more information, including the full report, goto http://www.australiansoccer.com.au/public/article/show.asp?articleid=7019&menuItemID=

Crowdie

[Crowdie]

Recommendation:

The League consist of ten (10) clubs, with flexibility to increase this number should suitable
Expressions of Interest in excess of this number be received.

24. One (1) club be located in each of Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
25. Two (2) clubs be located in Melbourne.
26. Three (3) clubs be located in Sydney.
27. Clubs in two (2) other markets, including New Zealand, be selected on business merit.
28. The Board of the League have the flexibility to increase the size of the League and geographic
location of clubs in Recommendations 23-27 should suitable Expressions of Interest be received.
29. Each club be granted exclusive territorial rights for marketing and game development
purposes and that those territorial rights not be subject to League expansion for at least
the first five (5) playing seasons of the League.

Crowdie

[DoyleG]

I'll give ASA credit where it's due.

They see a problem and they strive to fix it.

If only the CSA here could do the same.

[Crowdie]

The recommendation to make the Australian National Soccer League a 10-team competition should not rule out the Football Kingz, according to Kingz General Manager Peter Cox.

The Australian Soccer Association taskforce believes three teams should be cut from the current league but Cox doesn't think the Kingz will be one of those.

"The door's wide open for the Kingz really, to stay in there and be back there next year," Cox told nzoom.com.

The report on Monday recommends that Sydney's current tally of five clubs be cut to three, with two clubs to be located in Melbourne, and one each in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, with a further two clubs in other markets to be selected on business merit.

Cox believes New Zealand will be one of the two other markets, with only Canberra the other real option, as long as they can reach the criteria, which includes an increase to a $3.5 million entry-level operating budget.

"I believe it's attainable especially considering this is a re-launch of a whole new era in football and when that happens it's a lot easier to free up capital than if it's just more of the same," the South African said.

"Obviously like every franchise it's hard work and there's a lot of work to be done but as long as our owners are committed and our investors are committed and want to see that happen then I do think that is attainable in New Zealand."

One of the main issues in the Kingz' survival is its relationship with New Zealand Soccer as the recommendations also look at more local club support for the franchises.

"Primary focus for us is to get things working with New Zealand Soccer," Cox admitted. "At the end of this our long term future is very much tied up with us being able to access the broader soccer community."

The Football Kingz are currently working on one key aspect of their business proposal they had to show New Zealand Soccer to stay as the New Zealand team in the Australian league and believe if that can be worked through then further support from sponsors and the New Zealand soccer fraternity would follow.

Cox pointed to the example of Adelaide United who have created a successful new franchise this season, after Adelaide City Force had to withdraw, combining the ideas and support of all soccer entities in the region.

"I think that's the way to revitalise this to make this Kingz side representative of the full soccer fraternity in New Zealand and I think that's what we need to aim to," he said.

"If that happens I don't think money will be an issue."

The Kingz are still without a major sponsor but are surviving on a number of smaller partners.

On the field the Kingz are still sitting at the bottom of the table with just four points and Cox knows the strength of the side will be a factor in the decision on which teams make the revamped league.

"I look at the team we've got and they're very competitive in the NSL and it is a young and inexperienced side and if we can elevate the quality of our franchise to the level the NSL is trying to get all these franchises to, I think we'll attract even more New Zealand strength back and I've got no doubt that we'll be a very competitive side in future."

Crowdie

[Crowdie]

Australian Soccer Association chairman Frank Lowy - the third-richest man in the country - won't be investing in the new national league he unveiled yesterday but he is confident plenty of others will.

After years of debate, plenty of turmoil and two months of deliberations by a task force set up by the ASA, a new professional competition to replace the moribund National Soccer League has finally been put in train, with a scheduled starting date of November next year.

The majority of the 13 current NSL clubs - which between them have lost $52 million in the past three seasons - are not expected to make the cut, although Lowy said they would be "encouraged" to "lift their game" and join the new competition.

Of the current teams, Perth Glory and Adelaide United are certain to continue, with foundation clubs Marconi Stallions and South Melbourne regarded as the best bets to join them.

The proposed league doesn't have a name - although the Australian Premier League remains the most likely choice - but it will comprise a minimum of 10 clubs, have start-up capital of at least $10m and will require each club to spend up to $5m per season - almost half of that budget to go on players, some of them enticed back from overseas.

All of Australia's five major capital cities will be represented in the league, with New Zealand and provincial markets such as Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra and the Central Coast (NSW) also under consideration provided they can meet the criteria.

Lowy attracted a packed house to yesterday's long-awaited announcement on the 23rd floor of his Westfield building in Sydney, and one of the first questions he was asked was whether he would be investing some of his own wealth in the competition.

"That would be a conflict of interest," he said. "It would be inappropriate. I can't be [an investor], the rules are specific. We don't mix pockets. I didn't take this job to provide funds for it."

Lowy, however, remains optimistic that his fellow corporate heavyweights will get behind the new league and make it a success, either as sponsors or media partners, or as franchise owners.

"Establishing a pro league is the most difficult thing to do but it is also the most essential thing to do," he said. "There's great interest, there are many people that want to [be part of it]. We have tremendous support from many quarters. I am as confident as I can be at this stage.

"I have no doubt we'll be able to succeed, the only question is how quickly. I believe we can put it together, although it's not going to be easy.

"We all have to make an investment in the game. The government did, we did, I did, and now corporate Australia has to come with us and support us in this venture. I believe they will if they take a long-term view."

One dissenting voice was Sydney United spokesman Sam Krslovic, who was "very, very disappointed" at the lack of detail in yesterday's announcement.

"We were hoping for more than just bread, we were hoping for some meat in the sandwich," he said. "It [the report] doesn't talk about revenue streams, television, sponsorship. We've got investors lined up but they want to see what they're getting into. There are plenty of passionate soccer people out there but they are also intelligent businessmen.

"It's their business sense we have to appeal to and that means we have to know what we're selling."

The terms of reference for the task force, however, specifically excluded the commercial marketing of the league and its properties. The ASA board is known to have already held lengthy discussions with potential sponsors, as well as television networks SBS and Seven, in order to provide some commercial certainty for those interested in investing.

Northern Spirit owner Antonio Gelonesi has faith that the Lowy regime will hold up its end of the bargain.

"I suppose you could say we'll be making a submission based on a number of assumptions, but we elected Lowy and his team on that basis and I'm confident they can do their part," Gelonesi said. "The good news as far as we're concerned is that there's scope for three Sydney teams. If there was just two we would have felt a lot less comfortable. This recognises that the north of Sydney remains a viable demographic."

A Central Coast consortium suggests new investors will be found to replace many of the current clubs, some of which have held informal merger talks.

"We're ready to go," said Central Coast spokesman Brian Sewell. "We believe we have a strong case for the coast, we believe we have a brand which will work, a brand with a strong local flavour and we have a robust business plan. The money is not going to be a problem, we've been working towards this for a long time."

Crowdie

[White Laser Blues]

The purposal looks good but is it going to be successful for Australian soccer in the future? TV deals, Marketing, Crowd attendances, sponsorships are some of the things that will determine whether it is going to be successful or not. Hopefully, all of these things will be successful.

[Crowdie]

Originally posted by White Laser Blues
The purposal looks good but is it going to be successful for Australian soccer in the future? TV deals, Marketing, Crowd attendances, sponsorships are some of the things that will determine whether it is going to be successful or not. Hopefully, all of these things will be successful.

I don't think it could get much worse than the NSL has been getting. I remember hearing about the game last season when only 900 people turned up for a Brisbane Strikers home game. You can't run a soccer team when you are only getting 900 people through the gate and probably half of those had free tickets.

Crowdie

[Craig the Aussie]

Anyone throwing $5m into a soccer club better not be hoping for a return for a fair while

[Crowdie]

Originally posted by Craig the Aussie
Anyone throwing $5m into a soccer club better not be hoping for a return for a fair while

I suspect that will be more of an issue for the Australian teams as nine of them compete for the same sponsorship dollar.

Crowdie

[DoyleG]

I can only imagine that any New Zealand side will have to start from scratch. Even a new stadium is likely needed.

Central Coast has a good stadium from what it looked like when I watch the RWC broadcasts.

Canberra?
North Queensland?
Tasmania?

Wonder where the Sydney teams will end up playing.

[White Laser Blues]

I reckon they'll put one team to the Aussie stadium (east), one team from the west (Parramatta?), another one down south of sydney. Don't know if this will going to work.

[Crowdie]

Originally posted by DoyleG
I can only imagine that any New Zealand side will have to start from scratch. Even a new stadium is likely needed.


The stadium is not a problem. The Kingz are currently playing at Ericsson Stadium, where the Warriors Rugby League team also play, and that has a capacity of 30,000 or they could return to the North Harbour Stadium that has a capacity of around 20,000.

Crowdie

[Crowdie]

The proposed new national soccer league could take the radical step of big business being given naming rights to teams.

As part of his bid to woo major corporate players into the new league, Australian Soccer Association (ASA) chairman Frank Lowy said he would have no objection to following the example of Japan's J-League and Korea's K-League.

K-League runner-up Ulsan Hyundai is funded by and named after the Korean car giant, while virtually all J-League teams are bankrolled by major Japanese corporations, including Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan.

If adopted, the concept could reshape the national sporting landscape in a similar way to corporate naming of Australia's major sporting stadia, which started in the early 1990s and is now commonplace.

For existing NSL clubs, it means those who can bring big business to the table may be able to secure their futures in the new competition, while those that can't face an uphill battle to raise the millions needed to get a foot in the door.

"No problem with that at all," Lowy said of allowing corporate team names.

"We will also be looking to sell the naming rights for the league - the commercial name of the league.

"Commercial partners will want to have a return and are entitled to do so."

Lowy has also opened the way for foreign ownership of franchises - another clear message that existing NSL clubs without the ability to attract serious financial muscle need not apply.

"I would have no objection to legitimate commercial partners joining the new national league whether they come from Australia or overseas," Lowy said.

"The door is open for all legitimate enterprises to talk to us."

Lowy also said franchises entering the new league would need less than the $5.5 million start-up figure quoted when the NSL taskforce recommendations were released on Monday.

He said the ASA was talking to several would-be sponsors and marketing partners about becoming involved in the new league.

Most of that funding would be used to reduce the up-front cost to would-be franchisees.

"All monies (from sponsorship and marketing secured by the ASA) will come into a central pool and they will be distributed to clubs - minus some administrative costs," Lowy said.

But Lowy remained elusive on a timeframe for the ASA to nail down its marketing and commercial partners and suggested the start date of the league could be as late as January 2005 rather than the mooted November 2004 kick-off.

He said getting the league's structure right was more important than locking into deadlines.

The NSL taskforce has given those interested in participating until the end of April to register, with the successful franchises to be announced at the end of June.

Crowdie

[futbol571]

Originally posted by DoyleG
I'll give ASA credit where it's due.

They see a problem and they strive to fix it.

If only the CSA here could do the same.

If only the CSA and USSF had bodies above them that cared to knock down those other two archaic and 100% amateur bodies. Ummmm US Soccer charge $100 for tickets, yet is a non-profit with a heart surgeon as president? Uhhhhh ... ok.

CSA, they can't even get a league formed or a stadium built. Now that's pathetic.

All the CSA and USSF are is too overly bloated amateur bodies getting all their $ from kids, to give to adults to mess up. With little to none put back to get kids to play. SHOOT, soccer should be FREE!!! In the USA & Canada, if it werent for the kids playing the game (do in NO part to the federations) their would be no national teams ... that's a joke really.

A tremendous amount of credit though to Lowry, the Australian Goverment, the NSL Taskforce and the new ASA!!! Admitting the problem is the 1st step ... you hear that CSA, USSF & CONCACAF?!?!?!?!?

[Auxodium]

Isn't the short name for Soccer Australia SA? that is what is in the press. Well Lowy did invent the NSL and he was chairman of St George Budapest. Lowy does have a slight accent so he isn't clean either but he has the business sense that he wanted to make the NSL work in 1977 but it never worked. I am glad the APL will be successful.

Well CONCACAF can realise that they are in the same boat and try and work closer with the ASA and arrange international friendlies and financial deals. :)