Wonderin why there is no thread on this. Some intriguing comments in this article...
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...ome-in-adelaide/2008/10/22/1224351349902.html
Dogs rile Sharks with push for second home in Adelaide
Andrew Webster | October 23, 2008
The Sharks have accused the Bulldogs of undermining them in the battle for the hearts and minds of AFL-obsessed Adelaide.
In a sure sign of the desperation of Sydney clubs to expand into new markets, the Herald can reveal the Bulldogs are on the verge of securing two home matches a season at Adelaide Oval.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg will meet the South Australian Cricket Association and SA Tourism today. It is understood South Australian Premier Mike Rann is a firm supporter of the move.
But the negotiations have incensed the Sharks, who announced earlier this month they had signed a three-year deal to play one home game a season at Hindmarsh Stadium. Cronulla boss Tony Zappia phoned NRL chief executive David Gallop to vent his frustration.
"We're very disappointed that another Sydney club wants to come over the top of us. We thought we would be the only ones there," Zappia said. "The Bulldogs have taken games to Brisbane and New Zealand without much success. Now they want to try Adelaide, where we have agreed to play one game a year for the next three years.
"We've tried to find a new revenue stream in a different market, and they've come in over the top of us. We'd like to think the NRL would step in and stop it."
So far, the NRL has had a luke-warm response to the Bulldogs' proposal because the Sharks were the first to move home matches to Adelaide. They will play North Queensland in round six at the 17,000-seat venue.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said there would be no promise of exclusivity. "We are limited in the amount of financial support we can provide," he said. "We are not going to stop the Bulldogs from playing there, and we said that to the Sharks all along. But because Cronulla were the first one to move a home game to Adelaide, we can only help them with financial support."
Annesley also denied speculation the NRL had been agitating behind the scenes for the cash-strapped Sharks to move to Adelaide.
It is unclear what financial incentive SACA, which controls Adelaide Oval, will provide the Bulldogs, but it is understood it offered cash inducements of about $100,000 to the Sharks before Hindmarsh Stadium countered the offer.
When the SACA courted AFL club North Melbourne about playing home matches there, it is believed to have offered to underwrite the fixtures for about $400,000. The association is desperate for new revenue streams to help fund a $90 million redevelopment of its ground.
Like the Sharks, Greenberg said the Bulldogs were keen to establish Adelaide as their second home and wanted to forge a similar relationship to that between AFL premiers Hawthorn and Tasmania.
Just as the Hawks have done with Tasmania, he would not rule out embroidering "Adelaide" on the famed blue-and-white jersey if it helped clinch the deal.
"The relationship between Hawthorn and Tasmania is one that seems to work very well," he said. "We are keen to broaden ourselves into new markets and make our brand as national as possible so we can attract blue-chip sponsors. And they want us to help promote their city on our behalf."
The Bulldogs played one home match in Brisbane last season, and some directors reportedly investigated a move to the Central Coast.
"But relocation is not on our agenda whatsoever," he said. "Because we share ANZ Stadium with several other Sydney clubs, we can move some home games and it does not impact heavily on our core supporters. This is a strategic move to help strengthen the long-term future of the club. We'd like to make Adelaide our second home."
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/new...ome-in-adelaide/2008/10/22/1224351349902.html
Dogs rile Sharks with push for second home in Adelaide
Andrew Webster | October 23, 2008
The Sharks have accused the Bulldogs of undermining them in the battle for the hearts and minds of AFL-obsessed Adelaide.
In a sure sign of the desperation of Sydney clubs to expand into new markets, the Herald can reveal the Bulldogs are on the verge of securing two home matches a season at Adelaide Oval.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg will meet the South Australian Cricket Association and SA Tourism today. It is understood South Australian Premier Mike Rann is a firm supporter of the move.
But the negotiations have incensed the Sharks, who announced earlier this month they had signed a three-year deal to play one home game a season at Hindmarsh Stadium. Cronulla boss Tony Zappia phoned NRL chief executive David Gallop to vent his frustration.
"We're very disappointed that another Sydney club wants to come over the top of us. We thought we would be the only ones there," Zappia said. "The Bulldogs have taken games to Brisbane and New Zealand without much success. Now they want to try Adelaide, where we have agreed to play one game a year for the next three years.
"We've tried to find a new revenue stream in a different market, and they've come in over the top of us. We'd like to think the NRL would step in and stop it."
So far, the NRL has had a luke-warm response to the Bulldogs' proposal because the Sharks were the first to move home matches to Adelaide. They will play North Queensland in round six at the 17,000-seat venue.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said there would be no promise of exclusivity. "We are limited in the amount of financial support we can provide," he said. "We are not going to stop the Bulldogs from playing there, and we said that to the Sharks all along. But because Cronulla were the first one to move a home game to Adelaide, we can only help them with financial support."
Annesley also denied speculation the NRL had been agitating behind the scenes for the cash-strapped Sharks to move to Adelaide.
It is unclear what financial incentive SACA, which controls Adelaide Oval, will provide the Bulldogs, but it is understood it offered cash inducements of about $100,000 to the Sharks before Hindmarsh Stadium countered the offer.
When the SACA courted AFL club North Melbourne about playing home matches there, it is believed to have offered to underwrite the fixtures for about $400,000. The association is desperate for new revenue streams to help fund a $90 million redevelopment of its ground.
Like the Sharks, Greenberg said the Bulldogs were keen to establish Adelaide as their second home and wanted to forge a similar relationship to that between AFL premiers Hawthorn and Tasmania.
Just as the Hawks have done with Tasmania, he would not rule out embroidering "Adelaide" on the famed blue-and-white jersey if it helped clinch the deal.
"The relationship between Hawthorn and Tasmania is one that seems to work very well," he said. "We are keen to broaden ourselves into new markets and make our brand as national as possible so we can attract blue-chip sponsors. And they want us to help promote their city on our behalf."
The Bulldogs played one home match in Brisbane last season, and some directors reportedly investigated a move to the Central Coast.
"But relocation is not on our agenda whatsoever," he said. "Because we share ANZ Stadium with several other Sydney clubs, we can move some home games and it does not impact heavily on our core supporters. This is a strategic move to help strengthen the long-term future of the club. We'd like to make Adelaide our second home."
