Another interesting tidbit from KPMG....

[Cronulla_Mania]

Once again, KPMG has produced another audit that conflicts with the popular 'media view' about which sports are doing well in Australia. After revealing last year that the NSWRU ran debts of closer to 10m, in conflict to the 6.5m that was reported, they have struck again...
I quote Michael Bodey from page 21 of the daily telegraph yesterday:
"A current KPMG audit for the Australia Sports Goods Association released in Sportslink magazine suggests something may have gone wrong with the AFL. It is probably a blip, but the AFL has suffered a significant fall in sales of licensed apparel, falling below the NRL's numbers"
Well! That was quite astounding for me, a code that is supposedly popular 'australia wide' can't outsell a code that is primarily played in two states. These figures are really interesting, although i could almost guarantee that the AFL will shrug it off and the rest of the media will find another reason to bag rugby league....
Isn't the truth an interesting thing?
MFC.

 

[Bebeto in Japan]

This is interesting when you think about it. In saying that, there isn't much in terms of merchandising for Rugby League. Go to any video shop, all you see is basketball and soccer. I have nothing against those sports, but what about a video of "Greatest rugby league tries of the 1980s", etc. There is NOTHING! I wish there was a video of Eric Grothe's (the senior version )greatest tries because he scored some great ones for Parramatta. Footy jumpers are priced beyond the average fan's budget (so much for it being MY GAME). If Rugby league is ahead of AFL, that game must really have problems then.

7 days to go till I am back in civilisation. yeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Bebeto, there are quite a few video releases for rugby league which aren't publicised. I know at target they usually have them in stock, they have ones about the stgeo team in 1999, the melb premiership win in 1999, a highlights video of the 2000 season and something about the broncos as well. Its a shame that all clubs don't do the same, but if some clubs get their finances together then perhaps this will be possible in the future...
I also read on the weekend that the Western Bulldogs are asking for 2m dollars assistance from the AFL. I think they are in financial strife from what i have read and seen this year, similar to a couple of NRL clubs. With the AFL cap going up to almost 6m, i can see a few AFL clubs struggling in the near future. The rosy picture that the AFL always seems to paint about their game may have cracks appearing....
Its not an outright attempt to bag another code, but i get pretty sick of the media 'emphasising' RL's problems while ignoring those of other codes....
MFC.

 

[Bebeto in Japan]

MFC,

There is no doubt that league's problems are usually exaggerated and that AFL's problems are generally swept under the carpet by the media. You have mentioned the Western Bulldogs in AFL. I have some mail that another AFL club is in more serious trouble and that there may be a player revolt if problems aren't fixed.

It is great to be working in my profession....LOL. Too bad it ends in a week. No more rumours for this website (even though Willow still doesn't believe them...LOL)