Second group emerges to press Wellington expansion claims

[PaddyBoy]

Second group emerges to press Wellington expansion claims

Two separate syndicates are preparing bids for an NRL franchise based in Wellington.
The news comes as NRL chief executive Dave Smith, delighted by a spectacular opening day of the Auckland Nines, revealed the renewed push to grow league in New Zealand.
Smith would not be drawn on the prospect of a second franchise but spoke about his organisation's plans to increase its presence in the country.
A group featuring Wellington Rugby League boss Jason Hemson is ready to submit a proposal to bring an NRL team to the capital. But Fairfax Media can reveal a second high-powered group, based in Australia but including potential Kiwi investment, has also been exploring the prospect of lobbying for a second team.
Advertisement
Shane Harmon, CEO of Wellington's Westpac Stadium, confirmed an approach from the second group ''about the possibility of basing a team or partly basing a team in Wellington''.
''That hasn't been from the NRL … we understand that these individuals are talking to a number of New Zealand cities,'' he said. ''I don't know who their backer is. They have said there are some New Zealand backers.''
Hemson confirmed his group's intentions. ''When the NRL gives an indication they want bids for expansion, we will be ready to go,'' he said.
That will not be before 2017 when the NRL's broadcast deal expires. Smith confirmed expansion discussion would begin at the end of this season but the former banker cautioned there would be no rushed decisions. ''When we understand where all the pieces are, then we can start to make big strategic decisions for the right reasons,'' he said.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...sion-claims-20140215-32sm1.html#ixzz2tOuvQyko

 

[flippikat]

Hmm.. so there's an official (Wellington RL) bid that plans on being based in Wellington, and this 2nd bid that may be a shared scenario with other centres??

Compared to some of the other bids, they have a bit of ground to make-up (and I suspect NZ will be the round of expansion AFTER the next one) - but jostling for expansion slots just got even more interesting...

If the NRL is going to be bold they may pick 4 locations early next year, and either bring them in together (ala 1995) or phase them in over 3-7 years.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I can't see NZ2 being in the next expansion as I think the next 2 teams will be Perth and SEQ3.

But NZ needs a second team in the not too distant future.

Perth 2016
SEQ 2018
NZ2 2021

 

[ek999]

Need to bring in 2 teams at once IMO

 

[BuffaloRules]

Need to bring in 2 teams at once IMO

No- even the AFL got that right.

Two new teams at once creates too much pressure on player salaries being forced up by the new teams, as well the overall comp and draw suffers with two teams finding their way at the same time.

 

[typicalfan]

AFL expanded into areas with little to no demand. NRL have many options due to demand, SE QLD, Central QLD, Central Coast, Perth, NZ 2 and even PNG.

Not the same scenario.

 

[BuffaloRules]

AFL expanded into areas with little to no demand. NRL have many options due to demand, SE QLD, Central QLD, Central Coast, Perth, NZ 2 and even PNG.

Not the same scenario.

I don't see why that matters in regards to the points I have made about player payments and integrity of the comp in respect of two teams entering at the same time.

 

[typicalfan]

I think the main issues will be what the teams bring. Do we want byes throughout the year again?

Does the extra timeslot bring more revenue and does the team already have a nursery or start from scratch.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I think the main issues will be what the teams bring. Do we want byes throughout the year again?

Does the extra timeslot bring more revenue and does the team already have a nursery or start from scratch.

There will be no more money for the extra game before the new TV deal in 2018 as you probably know.

I think we need to expand by 1 team before then to stagger the entry of the teams coming in and also that I believe Perth is ready and it seems stupid to make them wait another 4 years.

The NRL could then show the TV networks the value of a team in Perth opening up new live TV spots on Fri and Sat nights in 2016 before the next TV deal is finalised in 2017.

More weeks have byes than not now, so I don't see the problem with putting up with byes every week only for 2 years.

 

[Flapper]

I don't see why that matters in regards to the points I have made about player payments and integrity of the comp in respect of two teams entering at the same time.

There's naturally a bigger player pool for us, we don't have to field teams full of 18 year old kids due to lack of other options.

 

[Perth Red]

I agree, get Perth in for 2016/17 and the best Brisbane option team for 2018. Gives the NRL the extra game to sell and the Sunday evening live TV slot wa offers every fortnight plus the value of another Brisbane market game. I don't think byes are ideal but they aren't a disaster either. In many ways Brisbane2 will need to sell itself more to develop a fanbase in competition with the Broncos than a Perth team that has a ready made 20k starving fanbase waiting now for someone to support.

This Wellington news is interesting but I doubt the NRL will consider expansion in NZ in this round. In some ways a second NZ team weakens the NRL clubs given their reliance on NZ players. I do think we will see another NZ team but it is more likely to be 2020/21 for next TV deal, or a relocation.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I agree, get Perth in for 2016/17 and the best Brisbane option team for 2018. Gives the NRL the extra game to sell and the Sunday evening live TV slot wa offers every fortnight


.

I see the main benefit of Perth TV wise is the live 9.30pm time slot EST on Friday and Sat nights, so I would be getting used to that if I was you.

Imagine Channel 9 having say a Broncos v St George at 7.30pm followed up by Perth and one of the other big Sydney ratings pullers at 9.30 live

They will play a few games on Sunday 6.30 EST both home and away, however East Coast teams are filling that slot now.

The Force seem to play the majority of their home games on Fri and Sat nights as there is a void on the East Coast for live sport at that time

 

[Perth Red]

I would have thought fox would maybe want a 9pm live Saturday slot? Given how poor ch9 are I doubt they will see a second live Friday game worth anything to them even though the TV audiences for non live games are the ones taking the biggest hit.

In term of an extra game to sell the Sunday evening live spot would be the most valuable I would have thought?

 

[BuffaloRules]

I would have thought fox would maybe want a 9pm live Saturday slot? Given how poor ch9 are I doubt they will see a second live Friday game worth anything to them even though the TV audiences for non live games are the ones taking the biggest hit.

In term of an extra game to sell the Sunday evening live spot would be the most valuable I would have thought?

The reason that the 9.30 ratings are poor is because the games are delayed, and everyone Already knows the result after following the game on their app or Supercoach. Even 9 will work out by 2017 that with the new technology around these days that delayed sport is dead,so I would have thought that if they keep the 9.30 slot on Friday night they will try and get as many live games from Perth as possible.

Yes, of course Fox will want it as well on Sat nights.

On Sunday nights are you talking 6.30/7.00 EST? Fox already have that slot now for 12 or so rounds a year.

 

[Flapper]

Having a Perth team play the 7pm Sunday slot though means is it's a 5pm game generally, it'll be better crowd wise.

 

[Perth Red]

Ideally early season whilst warm the Friday 7 or 7:30 would be great then may onwards 5pm Sunday whilst the suns out. That would draw the best crowds in Perth. Having said that I am very confident we would get 15-16k for our lowest crowds and 20k for the popular teams whenever we play, except Monday nights which would be a 5:30pm ko here and would be a disaster.

 

[parraparraparra]

Perth
Brothers
NZ2
Staggered inclusion

 

[Diesel]

I'm expecting some poor performing or struggling Sydney clubs to be pushed out of the city if they want to survive in the NRL. I struggle to see the NRL hit 20 teams any earlier than 2025 due to quality players and no compromise to the quality of the competition

 

[Garbler]

Perth
Brothers
NZ2
Staggered inclusion

This.

 

[andrew057]

Perth
Brothers
NZ2
Staggered inclusion

I think the NRL need to be clear. Come out and say publicly these 3 locations are going to be where the games expands to over the next 4-8 years.

The Perth bid is quite advanced, so it seems like a fairly easy decision there. But the Brisbane and NZ2 in particular have a long way to go. Give each a date to have all bids submitted and to be decided upon by the IC.