I think most clubs are wondering just where their next dollar is going to come from.
They probably dont know at this stage exactly.
I reckon some have a fair idea, others, not even in the know just yet.
One thing is for sure, and that is the way finances of a club are run is changing. In the future the areas from where money is to come is going to change. Sponsorships and the like are still going to be there, maybe even the odd football club grant, but the majority of money is going to come from elsewhere and i reckon most clubs havnt go the feintest idea just yet...its going to take some while to figure out or for opertunities to present themsevles. I for one would like to hope that clubs start to grow their memberships in a bid to close the deficit.
Maybe everything needs a slight restructure.
I wonder if somehow one day even juniors and their fees could help pay for top flight football and i wonder backwards do they do that now?
I have some ideas to make things work, if people would hear me. They are not new ideas, but perhaps their exact application to rugby league is new.
I'd like to hope that in the future all monies generated from all aspects of the game from international, state of origin, world cup share, junior football, registration, merchandising, sponsorships (up to a certain cap), would go directly to the SINGLE organistaional body running the game in this country, and then on-fed to the clubs evenly.
I know this might upset people who feel certain clubs are not entitled to what YOUR CLUB generates, but lets be honest and realistic and completely open.....really whats happening in the competition is that clubs are making this money because of the competition....and not because they are a particular club. Adjust your thinking, and because they make money due to the competition, they owe it to the competition, and therefore are entitled to an equal share.
I have not included gate takings in this share pool, and no doubt certain other aspects of the finances.....but such an arrangement would go a long way to making more clubs financially viable.
And thats what its all about. Helping clubs survive, right?
I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT FINANCES SHOULD SEPARATE CLUBS....its not about how much money a club has in the bank, it SHOULD BE ABOUT HOW WELL THEY PERFORM ON THE FIELD ON THE DAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
So revenue share, save the game off the field, and enjoy it on the feild, please.
Just like the world cup shares its revenue. Its done for support of the participants, not a get rich quick scheme.