Ok so the NRL now have $100million income a year that they didn't have before so they SHOULD have the money to sort this out and get crowds seriously moving in the right direction. Here's what I'd do for starters:
1. Every team to take 2 home games on the road during the season meaning 10 games at home, clubs compensated for their efforts with $250k per game bonus as part of the discretionary $1.15mill grant currently availble to clubs. Areas targeted are growth,expansion, areas that can draw a min 15k crowd
2. Manly offered $2million a year to change name and take on the whole north shore/northern beaches/CC as its new geographical area with 4 games a year to be played at Gosford
3. Match of the round to be played at Allianz on a Friday night featuring two Sydney teams each round, massive promotion, entertainment and a min 25k target for each game
4. NRL to bring consistency to full memberships by making all clubs offer same price memberships across the competition. 10 home game memberships Prices range from $300 ($40 jnrs) for best seats to $75 ($25 jnrs) for cheapest seats. Gate prices will be no more than $35 for best seats and $15 for cheapest. All U16's $2.50 on gate. Family tickets no more than $75 for 2 adults and 2 children.
5. If you are a full member of a club you can attend any NRL game for 50% discount on gate price and any away game your team is playing in for free
6. Clubs will receive $1million extra a year in grant allowance to cover any lost earnings due to decreased ticket sale
7. Clubs will be set a 10% attendance increase every year in order to get full $1million grant
8. NZ Warriors will have Australian based membership options ie a Warriors Sydney membership that gets Warriors fans in to any game in Sydney featuring Warriors
9. Perth announced as next expansion area and will get 4 games a year guaranteed until the WC Pirates Kick off in 2017. A WC Pirates membership will be available inc the 4 NRL games for a discounted price meaning sell outs for Perth games and a Pirates membership base built up before they kick off
10. NRL will stop scheduling games at crappy times for fans!
Reckon that would cost a max of $18mill a year and see a massive difference in crowds. If it doesn't then we have to admit we are a much smaller sport than we thought and need to except sub 15k crowds as the norm!
