You are absolutely correct. Storm have been given every advantage under the sun by News Ltd and ARLC.The team never loses. It doesn't change the fact they've added viewers to the game that wouldn't exist if the team was never created.
That's why I think relocation should be looked at as an option.
Imagine how strong Wests could become if they merged with the Pirates bid?
Sell Balmain's 10% stake to the Pirates, change the name to Western Tigers and take 6 games to Perth each year. Play their home games against Sydney teams at Parramatta Stadium and take games against interstate teams to Perth Oval. Run clinics in Perth before every home game played there. It'll future proof their existence in the NRL.
Thus the reason relocation is the better option.
The ARLC created a lot of anger in Queensland with the stadium deal. Queensland has built 3 state of the art stadia over 20 years and been given nothing in return. Magic Round is tokenism BS. Fumbleball took advantage of this by bringing the fumbleflag up here. A massive own goal by the ARLC.
There's no way the NSW gov will upgrade 5-6 suburban stadia.
Sharks could be a force in Southern Sydney if they were the only club representing it and rebranded as the Southern Sydney Sharks. The region isn't big enough for 2 teams. Likewise if Dragons became Southern Sydney Dragons and took over the area. Shifting one of these teams to another city would make them both stronger.
Keep the brand but relocate the club to an area that has no representation and everyone wins.
Fitzroy and South Melbourne proved it can be done.
Brisbane is under-represented and Broncos are a divisive brand due to their antics off the field since 1988. Not a recipe for success. There should have been 2 teams up here to begin with and both should have had links with BRL clubs. Gold Coast is, well, Gold Coast. Enough said.
Maybe not, but neither is Kogarah or Wollongong Stadium.
That's not going to happen in Sydney with 9 clubs.
How many of Sydney's increased population will care about NSWRL clubs in 2050?
Most of them will be migrants from non-RL countries and few of them will adopt our game.
Attendances and ratings in Sydney before the mergers were shit compared to now.
Why was it built there?
If Wests merged with Pirates say goodbye to rl being strong in Sydney fastest growing area.
I have spelt out time and time again why relocation, after Sydney having already rationalised won't work.
The State Govt doesn't have to work on 5-6 Sydney boutique stadium,only Manly,Campbelltown ,and WIN
Win stadium cannot have a stand on the Eastern side as I stated, there is a possibility they may move to another area there.
Sharks are already a force in Sthn Sydney, even allowing for the Dragons playing games at Jubilee.
The area is big enough ,because both traditional clubs Dragons have a big base and Sharks are well entrenched in the Shire and surrounds and own their facilities.
You keep assuming keeping the brand and relocating will solve the problem.The NThn Eagles was a disaster.
Do you realise Gyngell when he was running ch9 stated IHO Brisbane needed a 2nd club(agreed),but was not keen on other non heartland areas.So all this proposition that non heartland areas, will translate into huge TV ratings and revenue ,belies the truth.He said it ,not me.
It's not going to happen ,unless a club fails.
It still doesn't sink in. Losing clubs and joint venturing didn't solve problems, it divides fans and fans are lost to the game.North Sydney is a classic example and they were not in a strong heartland rl area.
Anyone can sit back and say ,we'll put this club here and there.I would only work as a final desperate move to save a sinking club.
The crowds, juniors for joint venture and lost clubs did not dramatically increase in heartland areas, where one would expect it should happen.The money expended to get Melbourne established was a king's ransom and juniors are rare in their team.They were competitive day 1 and had many stars ,that gave them a boost, but they can't get on ch9 main channel in Melbourne.
Losing South Sydney for that period, did untold damage, ask their fans.Them coming back helped TV ratings,merchandisaing,crow.ds
The GC stadium was built ,and can't get close to full, unless the Broncos play.And the area has large numbers of junior s and 600k population, meaning size of area even in heartland can be misleading.
I have no problem with another Brisbane tearlike Gyngell stated.
I do not see another NZ side as being financially practical.
Using that argument ,how many care about rl in non heartland areas interstate and the likely ratings that bring in revenue? If they did the NRL would have had teams on track.
SOO brings in Interstate viewers,NRL games don't .
You do understand that Fitzroy and South Melbourne would not be in the position they are now, without the SL war, which the Broncos,Perth and Nth Qld all interstate clubs, jumped on the bandwagon.
And after 38 years the Swans Tv ratings in Sydney are ordinary, else they'd be on main Ch7 channel.
And when the Lions are down the ladder their crowds drop dramatically.
The Sunburns and Gnats get local ratings about as low as the earthquake Richter scale, after huge amounts poured in.
How much money does the NRL have in its kitty? Answer ATM not bleeding much,thanks to the CCP virus.
Hence the reason Vlad has stated the code needs to get into the Asian and Indian community at grassroots in Sydney.
And you are forgetting these migrants will also be going to others states, such as WA/SA/Vic,so that will make it a lot harder for rl.
So on your theory, removing more Sydney clubs even from heartland areas(and the effect on fans rusted on and casual), in the biggest Tv ratings city for the code, where the population will be watered down by migrant intake(that also includes other states),will somehow strengthen the game in Sydney ,when removal and joint ventures have not had the massive impact expected.
Despite the fact all Sydney clubs being financially able to carry on, and upgraded facilities either being done, being lobbied with Govt ,even the AFL is not that dumb.
And business people(yep even with union backgrounds) that financially help sponsor the clubs, they are not going to do so if their team ,is shafted to the ends of the earth.
The AFL are not going to move clubs now, they admit it's costing a motza to set up in other states, and bear in mind their Tv deals in the future may well be chopped.Then what?
I'd like to know what fully investigated research has been done on the matter by the code, not by us posters making assumptions and putting pins on maps.I'd also like to know the financial issues involved ,especially as we have used up our cash, as the code is hardly at its strongest point.
We are assuming the NRL has not discussed the ratings' effect on having clubs in non heartland areas.They have had people on the ARLC who have been involved with TV negotiations with expertise in non heartland regions.Weiss from memory was one.
I will repeat, those that seem to be pushing for Sydney relocation are non Sydneysiders.I do know the AFL would love further NRL club removals, that makes their efforts to penetrate the market that much easier.Particularly for growing grassroots in a vacuum.
We've screwed up Nthn Sydney so, why not other parts, sounds rational LOL.
It's like going on a patrol, without a forward scout, you'll get rogered.
