Blind Freddy
Juniors
- Messages
- 830
Any potential location that will be self sufficient and will not be reliant on handouts should be added no matter where they are located.
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I don't think being in debt to a government sounds very self sufficient.
Brutus said:
They aren't ready? Rubbish. Loustrat is trying to peddle this myth that you require some long running bid pleading for entry to establish a new team. Again rubbish. What you need is a television network to say we'll pay you a lot more for a side in area X, the governing body to say we agree a side in area X is where we want to go strategically, area X to have a reasonable degree of existing support on which to build, and for area X to have the infrastructure or promise of infrastructure to host the team. Having a long standing existing bid in area X is a bonus, not a prerequisite.
Dump 300k populated Cronulla and bring in 60k populated Rocky. What a way to make the game thrive :roll: Your Sydney hatred has put holes in your brain.
No, but it does reflect how apallingly bad the QRL, the QLD business community and the QLD public have treqated fledgeling clubs up there. It was blindingly obvious 20 years ago that a second Brisbane side was needed - hence the Crushers. But the Broncos farted in the wrong direction, and the QRL and the public did zip about it. And 3 Gold Coast clubs died before the Titans. The Cowpats, under those cirumstances, have done brilliantly up there, with a good solid fan base behind them. Obviously things are different up in the tropics - and thank God for that.
You've suggested that one reason we should accept the Bears bid is because "there is no other bid on the table". But that's how you end up with urban sprawl - just accept whoever happens to put their hand up when you're ready to expand. The existence of a bid at this point is largely irrelevant as the NRL could decide any time it likes that Wellington is where it wants to go and send in the troops to start pulling "it all together -organise tenancy with the grounds, sponsorship, government backing, staff etc etc." Call that creating its own bid if you like but the point is the bid doesn't need to exist before the decision is made which area will be targeted for expansion. It's a bonus if it does but it isn't a prerequisite. What really counts is how much lead time you give the new team once you say go. In modern times it's been 18 months to 2 years but it has been done in a lot less (eg. Adelaide Crows - bid formed in July 1990, accepted in November 1990, and played first game in early 1991).
