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Tigers look beyond Leichhardt in drive for dollars
By Greg Prichard
August 15, 2004
The Sun-Herald
Wests Tigers would have made more money playing the game against South Sydney last Sunday at Telstra Stadium before anyone had come through the gate than they did from the record crowd of 19,402 at Leichhardt Oval.
The stadium's management is willing to pay large guarantees to schedule events and that is why the Tigers are continuing negotiations to play four or five of their home games there next season.
They are also looking to play a home game at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. The remaining six or seven home games will be split between Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium.
Commercial reality has triggered the move as the Tigers look for ways to get their home games to turn more regular - and bigger - profits.
Neither the Tigers nor the stadium management would say, but The Sun-Herald understands that if the two parties reach a deal - and it is highly likely they will - the Tigers will be guaranteed about $75,000 a game.
That is similar to guarantees they have received for playing several other home games at Telstra Stadium in recent years. The club takes that money away in profit since the stadium covers all costs on the day.
Some Tigers fans have been understanding of the club's plans for next year and others have rubbished the club for what they regard as an outrage, but the decision is a simple matter of economics.
"It's a business decision we have to make for the good of the club," Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said. "The poker machine tax the state government is introducing really is going to hurt and the responsible thing for us to do is look at more ways of making money.
"We haven't been spending up to our salary cap, but this sort of arrangement gives us the chance to do that and keep the good young players like Benji Marshall and bring others in alongside them.
"We're looking at it as a temporary thing for a few years while we try to get financial support from the government and local councils for improvements to Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium that would make them more profitable."
It is understood the Tigers made a profit of about $45,000 on the game last Sunday after paying expenses, which included $10,000 for the hire of a giant video screen, $10,000 for the hire of the ground and $15,000 for staff wages and the hiring of security and police.
About 20 per cent of the crowd gained free entry through the use of passes for registered juniors and junior league officials.
Had it been a night game the Tigers would have had to find another $20,000 for the hire of lighting for pay television coverage or $30,000 for Channel Nine coverage. Nine requires a greater intensity of lighting and clubs have to oblige.
The club lost about $40,000 on a night game at Leichhardt last month.
General admission tickets for a game at Leichhardt are $15, and an extra $10 for a grandstand seat. Children under five are admitted free and those aged five to 16 are charged $5. Most tickets sold for a Leichhardt match are for general admission to the huge hill area.
Money made through the sale of food and beverages and merchandising is not great enough - after costs - to make it a significant factor in the argument.
The ticket prices and costs at Campbelltown are similar to those at Leichhardt.
Telstra Stadium keeps the money from gate receipts and food and drink sales and accepts some responsibility for the promotion of games. The more people who go through the gate, the more chance they have of covering the guarantee and making a profit.
The stadium management is keen to hold as many quality events as possible to keep sponsors happy by ensuring advertising at the ground is worthwhile and providing corporate supporters with top-class facilities.
In other words
Crowd at Leichhardt= 19403=$45,000
Crowd at Telstra = 0000000= $75,000
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By Greg Prichard
August 15, 2004
The Sun-Herald
Wests Tigers would have made more money playing the game against South Sydney last Sunday at Telstra Stadium before anyone had come through the gate than they did from the record crowd of 19,402 at Leichhardt Oval.
The stadium's management is willing to pay large guarantees to schedule events and that is why the Tigers are continuing negotiations to play four or five of their home games there next season.
They are also looking to play a home game at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. The remaining six or seven home games will be split between Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium.
Commercial reality has triggered the move as the Tigers look for ways to get their home games to turn more regular - and bigger - profits.
Neither the Tigers nor the stadium management would say, but The Sun-Herald understands that if the two parties reach a deal - and it is highly likely they will - the Tigers will be guaranteed about $75,000 a game.
That is similar to guarantees they have received for playing several other home games at Telstra Stadium in recent years. The club takes that money away in profit since the stadium covers all costs on the day.
Some Tigers fans have been understanding of the club's plans for next year and others have rubbished the club for what they regard as an outrage, but the decision is a simple matter of economics.
"It's a business decision we have to make for the good of the club," Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said. "The poker machine tax the state government is introducing really is going to hurt and the responsible thing for us to do is look at more ways of making money.
"We haven't been spending up to our salary cap, but this sort of arrangement gives us the chance to do that and keep the good young players like Benji Marshall and bring others in alongside them.
"We're looking at it as a temporary thing for a few years while we try to get financial support from the government and local councils for improvements to Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium that would make them more profitable."
It is understood the Tigers made a profit of about $45,000 on the game last Sunday after paying expenses, which included $10,000 for the hire of a giant video screen, $10,000 for the hire of the ground and $15,000 for staff wages and the hiring of security and police.
About 20 per cent of the crowd gained free entry through the use of passes for registered juniors and junior league officials.
Had it been a night game the Tigers would have had to find another $20,000 for the hire of lighting for pay television coverage or $30,000 for Channel Nine coverage. Nine requires a greater intensity of lighting and clubs have to oblige.
The club lost about $40,000 on a night game at Leichhardt last month.
General admission tickets for a game at Leichhardt are $15, and an extra $10 for a grandstand seat. Children under five are admitted free and those aged five to 16 are charged $5. Most tickets sold for a Leichhardt match are for general admission to the huge hill area.
Money made through the sale of food and beverages and merchandising is not great enough - after costs - to make it a significant factor in the argument.
The ticket prices and costs at Campbelltown are similar to those at Leichhardt.
Telstra Stadium keeps the money from gate receipts and food and drink sales and accepts some responsibility for the promotion of games. The more people who go through the gate, the more chance they have of covering the guarantee and making a profit.
The stadium management is keen to hold as many quality events as possible to keep sponsors happy by ensuring advertising at the ground is worthwhile and providing corporate supporters with top-class facilities.
In other words
Crowd at Leichhardt= 19403=$45,000
Crowd at Telstra = 0000000= $75,000
????????????????????????????????????
