Relocation has always been talked about as an option for Cronulla each time they’ve come close to financial ruin, but this time they really need to consider the option to secure the club’s long-term future.
The logical option for Cronulla is to relocate to Perth. They would become a stand-alone club based in a capital city with a population of 2.2 million compared to Sutherland Shire of 218,000.
According to Roy Morgan research, the Sharks have the third-least amount of supporters (224,000)and the second-least amount of members this past season (15,800) of all the Sydney based clubs.
They’d have the potential of gaining hundreds of thousands of new supporters, thousands of additional memberships, endless corporate sponsorship opportunities and the advantage of the ARU’s decision to scrap the Western Force. Everything a congested Sydney market is unable to offer.
They would likely play at the 20,500 capacity NIB Stadium, which is close to the CBD.
The time difference between the west and east coast would mean home games would predominately be played during family-friendly timeslots on Saturday and Sunday afternoons-early evenings, which would be televised during primetime on the east coast.
Many are of the belief that Perth deserves their own team and their own identity rather than a relocated Sydney club, which fans out west may not buy into or are of the belief that a relocated Sydney club wouldn’t be successful for various reasons.
However, West Coast Pirates bid team and NRLWA CEO John Sackson has previously stated that he’d be open to a relocated Sydney team as fans on the west coast have been crying out for rugby league for over 20 years since the Western Reds fell victim to the super league establishment war.
It would also potentially save the bid team at least two years to assemble a playing squad and having to market a new brand.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/12/16/the-sharks-must-consider-relocation/
Logic may have been the point a few years ago, prior the development.So unfortunately old mate, it now appears to be all hypothetical.Unless of course the Commission decides on a slash and burn policy, which is their prerogative.
Yet with large numbers of the 218,000(now over 231,000 and growing) plus decent numbers on NSW coast and Qld, that show any sign of interest as opposed to, 2.18m who couldn't give a rats.
They would get a hell of a lot more than Perth at Suncorp.
If any relocation was needed as a last resort, the 2nd Brisbane team would be first choice, because the population there actually cares.
BTW when the Rest were in existence where were the hundreds of thousands of potential supporters there, who could have saved the club.
Noticed so far, the club re members is tracking well ahead of a few Sydney clubs and Canberra.
There was also a recent survey done showing the Sharks were among the strongest committed supporters, that includes merchandise sales for a starter.Now the effect of relocation would have a bearing on that commitment.I know a Southern A League club wanting entry ,would be champing at the bit to fill the vacuum.
"Thousands of additional memberships",when the Force with all the Saffa ,Kiwis and Poms there ,hardly brought packed houses through the Super Dooper rugby gate.
It is imperative both Perth and Brisbane get additional teams. But robbing Peter to pay Paul is not going to solve the issue.There is absolutely no reason why the NRL cannot have 18 teams.
Just to bring you into the real world of 2018 according to Roy Morgan as you love to quote him:-For you're enlightenment.
The Sharks have 245,000 supporters an increase of 9.5% on 2017 the second highest increase of the clubs after the Storm.
The Roosters have 219,000 a drop of 2.2% on he previous year
Knights 199,000 a drop of 2%
Raiders 174,000 a drop of 20.2%
Warriors 139,000 a drop of 14.2%
Panthers 139,000 a drop of 25.3%
Titans 122,000 a drop of 35.1%
