Expansion, Manly and the Coasts

[Quidgybo]

A very specific question.

What would it take to convince Manly to move to the Sunshine Coast?

Why would you want to do that? Well there are a few obvious reasons, the television networks want more Queensland teams to drive ratings in Brisbane. Manly has invested some time in the Sunshine Coast already. Manly need a new stadium. The game has a strong Central Coast bid that it'd rather accept instead of starting a new Queensland franchise from scratch.

So what would it take? I'd guess at least the following...

1. The Commission to seal a deal with the Queensland Government for a new stadium. The Sea Eagles would have to have hiring terms equal or better to those given the AFL's Suns. And the facilities would have to be equal or better than Skilled Park.
2. A ten year agreement for a Sydney season ticket with six games at the SFS, five away games (Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Rabbitohs, Bulldogs or Sharks) and one home game (Bears). Sea Eagles to get 10% commission on each away ticket sold to its fans. NRL to guarantee express public transport from Brookvale for games.
3. A ten year agreement to play the Bears away in Gosford once each season.
4. A relocation grant. It would probably need to be at least $10m up front for relocation expenses and perhaps another $10m over ten years to market the team to the new fan base on the Sunshine Coast.
5. New management and possibly new owners. Because this isn't a chance in hell of happening otherwise.

Television gets their extra Queensland side, the Sea Eagles get their new stadium, the Central Coast gets their Bears, Manly fans get six games per year against traditional rivals at the best stadium in Sydney, everybody is happy... except the Manly fans, but then you can't please them anyway. :crazy:


Leigh.

 

[ceagle]

Cronulla moves first

 

[de$$ie]

Cronulla moves first

 

[Pittwater Legend]

Cronulla moves first

 

[adamkungl]

Sydney is fine.

 

[Politis]

I see manly and the bears reuniting on the central coast, the central coast Beagles would prosper under this partnership! Woof Woof !!!

 

[Patorick]

Cronulla moves first

 

[Red Bear]

It would depend on what happens with Brookvale really, if they cant get an upgrade in the next 5-10 years they'll have to consider their position

Much like Cronulla's future and any potential move depends on the development.

 

[firechild]

A very specific question.

What would it take to convince Manly to move to the Sunshine Coast?

Why would you want to do that? Well there are a few obvious reasons, the television networks want more Queensland teams to drive ratings in Brisbane. Manly has invested some time in the Sunshine Coast already. Manly need a new stadium. The game has a strong Central Coast bid that it'd rather accept instead of starting a new Queensland franchise from scratch.

So what would it take? I'd guess at least the following...

1. The Commission to seal a deal with the Queensland Government for a new stadium. The Sea Eagles would have to have hiring terms equal or better to those given the AFL's Suns. And the facilities would have to be equal or better than Skilled Park.
2. A ten year agreement for a Sydney season ticket with six games at the SFS, five away games (Roosters, Dragons, Tigers, Rabbitohs, Bulldogs or Sharks) and one home game (Bears). Sea Eagles to get 10% commission on each away ticket sold to its fans. NRL to guarantee express public transport from Brookvale for games.
3. A ten year agreement to play the Bears away in Gosford once each season.
4. A relocation grant. It would probably need to be at least $10m up front for relocation expenses and perhaps another $10m over ten years to market the team to the new fan base on the Sunshine Coast.
5. New management and possibly new owners. Because this isn't a chance in hell of happening otherwise.

Television gets their extra Queensland side, the Sea Eagles get their new stadium, the Central Coast gets their Bears, Manly fans get six games per year against traditional rivals at the best stadium in Sydney, everybody is happy... except the Manly fans, but then you can't please them anyway. :crazy:


Leigh.

So in summary, you're a stupid merkin. Good work.

 

[RL1908]

One day Manly will realise they have nearly a third of Sydney all to themselves when it comes to a sponsor/fans catchment area - from the Harbour Bridge to the Hawkesbury & west to Cherrybrook - that enormous part of Sydney is large enough to sustain one NRL team, offering far more $ potential than anywhere people imagine Manly would be better off moving too. Of course, if Manly did leave to Qld or wherever, there would no team on the north side of Sydney, the city that purports to be the home of RL.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Why is it that Manly are the team always brought up for discussion to move elsewhere when we have Parramatta, Canterbury and Wests all living in each others pocket? Surely if a team is to be moved it would be one of them? You can even throw Souffs in there who are now living out of Homebush.

Yes the inevitible whinging from fans of those clubs is on its way but whatever.

 

[Ausguy]

cronulla moves first ....kmav kmav ........fap fap fap

 

[ByRd]

To even suggest the dogs, parra or tigers move is just ridiculous, nothing more needs to be said.

 

[Perth Red]

new ground or new owner will see them stay where they are. If neither or their current sugar daddies teat dries up then they are up a creek. No sign they are going to get the 25K stadium with 100 corporate boxes etc that a modern day team needs so not sure what their options are. Is there demand/population/interest on the Sunshine coast for an NRL team? Again Q'land govt finding $250mill for another stadium will be a major problem and I don;t see the NRL IC having the balls to dangle a huge carrot for relocation this early into their reign. All clubs will be hanging fire for the next 5 years anyway as the increased funding will be enough to see them survive if not prosper.

 

[firechild]

Why is it that Manly are the team always brought up for discussion to move elsewhere when we have Parramatta, Canterbury and Wests all living in each others pocket? Surely if a team is to be moved it would be one of them? You can even throw Souffs in there who are now living out of Homebush.

Yes the inevitible whinging from fans of those clubs is on its way but whatever.

Finally a rival supporter with a bit of common sense. Manly are not encroaching on ANY other teams region. They should be left to their own area while other teams that are on top of each other or don't really have an identity anymore (50uff$) should be encouraged to move.

 

[Quidgybo]

One day Manly will realise they have nearly a third of Sydney all to themselves when it comes to a sponsor/fans catchment area - from the Harbour Bridge to the Hawkesbury & west to Cherrybrook - that enormous part of Sydney is large enough to sustain one NRL team, offering far more $ potential than anywhere people imagine Manly would be better off moving too. Of course, if Manly did leave to Qld or wherever, there would no team on the north side of Sydney, the city that purports to be the home of RL.

You'll note I closely linked the whole discussion to the fate of the Central Coast bid. Bring them in and they claim to have stronger ties than the Sea Eagles to the north shore and a lot of the one third of Sydney you cite. If the Bears do come in and Manly stay put, now we're back to two franchises fighting each other for market share in this sponsor/fan catchment area. That'll end in tears for someone not too many years down the track as the costs of competing keep rising. If Manly are to stay put then the game's long term strategy is better suited in accepting a new Queensland side over the Bears.

Leigh

 

[Perth Red]

Finally a rival supporter with a bit of common sense. Manly are not encroaching on ANY other teams region. They should be left to their own area while other teams that are on top of each other or don't really have an identity anymore (50uff$) should be encouraged to move.

Surely it is about sustainability and growth? Not dots on a map;-)

 

[user_nat]

But I don't want Manly.
Or Cronulla for that matter.

 

[ceagle]

To even suggest the dogs, parra or tigers move is just ridiculous, nothing more needs to be said.

Well the discussion there is constantly discussion about there being too many teams in Sydney, if you look at it geographically, there are 3 teams out west literally right next to each other, Dogs, Eels and Tigers, then you have Roosters and LOL@50uffs literally on top of each other in the heart of Sydney.

 

[BunniesMan]

We have money. We have fans. We're not going anywhere. Same with the Dogs/Eels/Tigers.

Geography doesn't matter. Spots on the map don't matter. Money and fans matter. The 4 biggest teams in Sydney (not counting the Dragons who are half outside of Sydney) have the two things that matter. They're not going anywhere.

While Nick is still going strong the Roosters won't leave Bondi. While bogan f**kwits out west keep pouring their lifesavings into pokies the Panthers aren't going anywhere.

That leaves Manly and Cronulla. I personally don't want any team to leave Sydney, local rivalries are what makes the game great. But if a team leaves it'll be one of those two. Depending on how (or if) the developments of Brookvale and Shark park go.

Adelaide Sharks. Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles. Perth Reds. Central Coast Bears. Brisbane Bombers. Wellington PurplemonkeyDishwashers. Bobs your uncle.