Can anyone make sense of the Northern Eagles mess?

[imported_Bigbopper]

It now appears that the Northern Eagles will fold, probably next week. The licence will then revert to Manly who reckon they can afford to pick up the debts and still fund the Eagles.
Apparently they will have to sell some equity to an American sports company. Will that be good for Rugby League?
If they play as the Northern Eagles and continue to use two venues they will have even less support than now. If they go to Brookvale only (what about calling them the American Eagles?) then they might get some Manly supporters back but they will lose the Central Coast fans.
In any event they will lose the funding they currently get from Norths. So will they be viable?
And, of course, the Norths fans get screwed. Is that fair?
I just can't see any good outcome. u

 

[Bebeto in Japan]

I am still getting over the fact that a brothel wants to sponsor them. What is the game coming to. 10 years ago, a condom company was sponsoring a german Soccer team and that caused a stir, but a brothel? I just can't take it seriously anymore.

 

[imported_footy2k]

have they ever made a positive out of their time as a merger?

I think thescore.com summed it up best calling them the ' Nomadic Eagles'

 

[imported_Beast]

The Norths side of the abortion, even though you never saw any of it in the jersey, coaching staff or admin, was putting in $1.5 million dollars a year.
Given the discrimination of the News/NRL and their refusal to allow a 16 team comp for 2002, it is difficult for the Bears to get a football structure in place as far as a manager and coaching and admin staff and then players. The market has been run down or driven over to England because of NRL mismanagement and the dollar.
I believe the BEARS should take action to be reinstated, that will take a minimum of 12 months which means they do not have the opportunity to field a team for 2002.
In the next 14 or so months Norths should prepare for team in the 2003 comp, they will have more money and corporate support than most teams in the comp, they have ah uge junior bases of North Shore and Central Coast and they will have excellent crowds, something that many clubs this year so obviuosly lack!
It will be a tough fight but ultimately a succesful one