http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...too-much-to-bear/story-e6frg7mf-1225898181859
Expansion is too much to bear
Brent Read
CENTRAL Coast officials face a battle to convince the game's existing clubs today they deserve to be added to the premiership in 2013.
The Australian conducted a poll of chief executives yesterday and the resounding response was that the survival of current clubs should be given priority over plans to expand.
That could spell disaster for the Bears and other expansion hopefuls -- Perth and central Queensland. "There's no appetite for expansion among the clubs," one chief executive told The Australian yesterday.
"Most of them walk on a financial tightrope so why would we be giving up money to other clubs."
Another added: "We don't want another (South Queensland) Crushers or (Adelaide) Rams. We need to make sure they're able to do it."
The final decision is likely to rest with the independent commission, which the clubs hope to have up and running by November 1.
The commissioners are likely to be guided by the size of the next television deal and the prospect of increasing revenue by adding teams to the premiership.
Media magnate John Singleton, who owns Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium, admitted on Sydney radio yesterday that the region's weak link was its corporate support. He also criticised the Newcastle Knights for failing to take advantage of the area's love of rugby league.
"Whenever there's a traditional team up here we get a house full or close to, but it doesn't happen if it's Newcastle," Singleton told Triple M. "Unfortunately they could have increased their footprint by training in Gosford twice a week. Then they would have another four or five hundred thousand fans, but they're poorly managed so they just stick up at Newcastle.
"If there was a game with traditional Sydney-based teams that would happen almost every weekend."
Knights chief executive Steve Burraston said his club was happy with the work it was doing in the area.
"We certainly have a NSW Cup team playing out of the area," Burraston said. "We're doing a lot of work with the Central Coast junior rugby league and junior league in the area. We're pretty happy with what we're doing."
Only Brisbane, North Queensland, Gold Coast, Newcastle and South Sydney have recorded profits in recent seasons while Sydney clubs are still reliant on their leagues clubs for funding.
Last month, it emerged three clubs -- the Titans, Knights and Cronulla -- were forced to go cap in hand to the NRL for money to pay their bills.
The Sharks' future has been the subject of speculation for years and if a club was to re-locate, they appear the most logical choice. However, Cronulla is taking steps to ensure it survives by discussing the prospect of taking home games to New Zealand and the Northern Territory.
Against that backdrop, Central Coast chief Greg Florimo will take his case to the NRL today.
"Our whole bid is relying on a greater broadcast deal for the game as a whole," Florimo said.
"We don't want to come into the game and take money from the existing clubs. As far as the broadcasting deal goes, more games should result in more revenue."
