Richardson calls for suburban footy to be axed

[Loudstrat]

Do you know how many corporate boxes there are at ANZ? And you expect all clubs to fill them too?

You do know that a 85k seater would cost a lot more to hire than a 20k seater? You do know a 20k seater is closer to the action for the corporates - and almost certainly closer to their centre of business?

You also know people will get wet at ANZ and the SFS as well?

Who cares what AFL do? We do it our way, and invariably better.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...z-or-anz-stadium/story-e6frf3ou-1226351702469

It may be the historic meeting that injects $30 million a season to be shared into the coffers of every Sydney-based NRL club.
A special conference on Thursday between the nine Sydney CEOs to discuss the financial benefits of taking games away from suburban grounds for city's two main arenas, Allianz and ANZ.
The proposal would entail each club playing three to four Sydney versus Sydney games a season at Allianz or ANZ. The remaining matches would be played at each club's traditional home ground.
An NRL CEO's conference starts this morning before the Sydney CEO's from Manly, Souths, St George Illawarra, Cronulla, Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters, Canterbury, Parramatta and Penrith gather at 2pm for what is being described as a Stadium Workshop. Insiders insist clubs could reap up to $3 million each season at the larger venues for the four matches through the doubling of crowds, hospitality and corporate facilities. NRL clubs could also model memberships around the big event games.
One well-placed source said: "We need to find the right game at the right venue at the right time."
There is even talk that clubs who play at the major stadiums could split gate takings, prompting both teams to promote the match.
Members could also have reciprocal rights at matches.
"I don't want to comment too much until we all sit down and air our views," Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said. "But it isn't about individual clubs. It's about maximising crowds and revenues and, at the same time, considering members and fans. It is good we are starting the process."
Sydney Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said the 40,000 crowd at Allianz for Anzac Day was a strong test case.
"That is an iconic event for rugby league but these special events must be a benefit for the game," Noyce said.
"The big stadiums can attract more people, more commercial benefits and more atmosphere."
Asked about suburban grounds, Noyce said: "Less can be more.
"When I was with Wests Tigers, when the draw came out and you circled some dates. It wasn't birthdays or anniversaries but the games at Leichhardt and Campbelltown."
A state government stadium strategy report will be completed next month and is expected to recommend that big money be injected into the two main stadiums - maybe a third - and only minimal cash to help maintain suburban grounds.
Manly continue to seek money to revamp Brookvale but then take a Wests Tigers game to Gosford and now a Warriors match to Perth.

I don't like the sound of this, more games at the soulless empty Homebush wouldn't be in the games best interests. There's no guarantee of crowds increasing, and I bet ticket prices will be higher too.

 

[Hutty1986]

Awesome, let's take games away from classic footy grounds for a stadium that only has atmosphere when it's 3/4 full!

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Which games will attract more than they do now if they were played at a bigger venue instead of a smaller one? I struggle to think of any really. And they're talking about timing of games. Well, they have no real say in that anyway.

The reciprocal membership idea makes sense. But I don't see why that has to be tied to a move to bigger stadia. That could happen anyway.

 

[firechild]

They're certainly driving it towards being a tv game. Monday night crowds are poor already, I wonder how they'll go when people have to travel an hour from home to get to the game? Friday nights probably won't fare much better trying to get the people from Penrith, Parra, the Northern beaches or the Shire to ANZ or the SFS.

 

[gUt]

It should be driven to TV and away from the big stadia, except for the big matches.

The boutique grounds may be small and old but at least they generally fill up and provide atmosphere. This translates to TV. If you can get 30k to the Olympic stadium, that's generally worse than 15k at Brooky or Leichhardt.

The people running the game are fighting a losing battle here methinks.

 

[Valheru]

Which games will attract more than they do now if they were played at a bigger venue instead of a smaller one? I struggle to think of any really.

Manly V any Sydney team

Penrith V any Sydney team

Cronulla V any Sydney team

Saints VS any Sydney team

Wests have the balance right IMO by playing their biggest draws at the SFS. No one is saying that any suburban team has to move all their games and perhaps 4 is too much but 2 at a minimum is a great idea or the match of the round concept at the SFS as well.

I agree that Homebush is not an ideal location but 3 out of the 4 sides that I mentioned above would take their game/s to the SFS.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Don't think it will help Manly, they didn't travel to their finals game at the SFS last year. Imagine asking their fans to go to Homebush.

Playing more games at the SFS is a much better option than Homebush though

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Manly V any Sydney team

Penrith V any Sydney team

Cronulla V any Sydney team

Saints VS any Sydney team

Wests have the balance right IMO by playing their biggest draws at the SFS. No one is saying that any suburban team has to move all their games and perhaps 4 is too much but 2 at a minimum is a great idea or the match of the round concept at the SFS as well.

I agree that Homebush is not an ideal location but 3 out of the 4 sides that I mentioned above would take their game/s to the SFS.

What? Those games wouldn't get bigger crowds at the SFS of ANZ than they do at suburban grounds. Not unless it was top of the table or something. Clubs like Manly, Cronulla and Penrith whose fans don't travel will have no support at these games.

 

[taipan]

The Sharks playing the Dragons at ANZ or AAMI is far less enticing than a game at Toyota.Packed to the rafters and far easier to get home locally at a decent time,instead of putting up with the crappy road system around Sydney.

Anzac day was a specal occasion ,on an afternoon ,public holiday.

The govt needs to tell the AFL to nick off at ANZ,put a roof on the place and bring in the sides.Children to pay no more than $2.50 and similar with AAMI,and they may get better crowds.But sellouts and near full doubt it.

Many NRL fans and me included at times, are conditioned to sitting at home watching it live ,when the team plays away.

I think Dogs v Eels ,Tigers v Souths,Tigers v Dogs,Parra v Souths,Dragons v Dogs,east v Souths those type of combos would have a better chance, but the Manlys,Cronulla,Penriths are locals to the core.

 

[Henson Park Hornets]

From the SMH:

At the centre of discussions is a model drawn up by Sydney league powerbrokers and ANZ Stadium chief Daryl Kerry, which proposes ''marquee'' games between city rivals be played at either of the two big venues, with a classic Sydney derby to be staged every weekend.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...uster-takes-20120509-1yd7k.html#ixzz1uQVeFwSf

Look who is behind it... He's doesn't give a f*ck about the game, only the shareholders of ANZ stadium. Be afraid, be very afraid...................

 

[Timbo]

I just don't get this.

It shows how little thought has gone into it. This is purely based on someone noticing that it works for the AFL, whose clubs all ring the inner city.

How is this fair for Manly fans? Or Cronulla? Or St. George?

The Saints and Parramatta already have top quality stadiums? Why move them away?

Where is the evidence that fans, who won't go to a local ground, will go even further away and pay more money at a greater hassle?

Hmmm.

 

[carcharias]

double headers may work.

not my go though.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Sydney Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said the 40,000 crowd at Allianz for Anzac Day was a strong test case

Unfortunately Steve, Anzac day only happens once a year, not every weekend....

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Only for double headers and only a few times a year and only at the SFS and only because I live close to it.

 

[carlosthedwarf]

Unfortunately Steve, Anzac day only happens once a year, not every weekend....

Also two inner city teams with a strong history. It's a terrible example.

If you put Manly v Gold Coast at the SFS or Homebush on a regular day you'd be lucky to break 10k.

 

[Frailty]

Why is this still being pushed?!

It works in Melbourne because the Melbourne AFL clubs are based in the same geographic area that would cover South Sydney's (and a part of the Roosters) traditional areas. Not to mention the more accessible public transport network to both MCG and Etihad (Train, Tram, and Bus) which are in the middle of all clubs. Not to mention the fact they don't have Monday night games, and the first bounce of their ONE friday night game is normally closer to 8pm.

Whilst teams are averaging 15,000 there is no need to look for bigger stadiums.

 

[bottle]

Only for double headers and only a few times a year and only at the SFS and only because I live close to it.

That's right, it's all about you Ronnie.

P.S. Do you have a spare room?

 

[Suitman]

Unfortunately Steve, Anzac day only happens once a year, not every weekend....

That's just stupid.
If they can get 40 000 on Anzac Day, why can't they get the same crowd on a sunny Sunday afternoon with the right promotion?
This is what the clubs are aiming for.

Suity

 

[Brutus]

A game like souths v dragons in a couple of weeks should be played at the sfs. Promote the f**k out of it and you may get 30k