I am missing the A-League more this off season than any other. I watched the European Cup final because I wanted to see something like our A-League. And there was Barcelona, with their over privileged squad copying Brisbane. And Manchester United copying Perth Glory, with less effect.
Soccer, basketball and union have paid a high price for helping Foxtel, via access to unique content, to become a commercially viable alternative TV source. And now Foxtel has joined the AFL revolution. It was also very disappointed to see the speed with which Foxtel dropped the A-League within minutes of the Final's penalty kickout. Imagine watching the FA Cup Final without the trophy lifting? I think there was a weird IPL match on or something.
But I am ready to watch Brisbane Roar again. Even without the Fury, the A-League is a technical success. You want that hot preparation ground for young socceroos and A-League Socceroos as preparation for Asian climates. And we should be looking to give Asia's hot and cold climate teams challenges with our vastness - Cairns, Townsville, Darwin, Canberra and Hobart.
It was amazing to hear Lyall Gorman stated that crowds would improve this year. I hope he is right as there will be no hiding if he isn't. I assume he has a massive campaign planned.
One more thought, isn't it amazing that the smart people at FFA actually believed that they could win the right to host the World Cup? Or is there more to it?
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Billion dollar dreams
ABC Offsiders discussed interesting views of the $1b AFL deal.
Foxtel's objective is to invest in AFL to increase its household coverage from 34% to over 50% and to head towards 60%. There is a view that sports fans will not baulk at the $720 to $1,200 per year for all AFL games each week. However, the current patchwork economy is likely to have had some impact on paytv growth.
The AFL deal opens up a whole new business case for fans. It will be interesting to watch Foxtel's pricing strategy as the cost/revenue mix pans out.
The argument in favour of the A-League is that 1 million additional sports viewers will kick along soccer. However, A-League viewer numbers per game have been falling, and it is not clear that the AFL will transfer to a higher price for FFA in 2013. There is also some concern that that the AFL growth will mean that pre-season interest will completely wipe out the interest in the A-League finals.
The key factor is Channel 7's AFL gamble to push up the AFL package price. The 7 objective is to retain their no 1 ratings spot. However, if Foxtel's strategy works, it may be at 7's cost.
The Commonwealth's syphoning rules have hit soccer the hardest. Taking off the table any bargaining for key Socceroo games - that must now be shown on free to air. SBS's failure to create for the 2010 World Cup demonstrates how unfortunate it is that only soccer, union and cricket have any real national sport interest.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
AFL claims victory - 5 year deal up from $780m to $1billion
There will be less money for the A-League. Fox Sports has upper the ante for the AFL and will show every game, every week (except the Final), live.
AFL has cemented its place with Gridiron, as the most profitable sport in the world. Built on a solid monopoly that ensures clubs and players, ultimately, do as they are told.
At the other end of spectrum, soccer is again under government review. The apparent driver is lack of a sustainable financial position. Ignored by Australians who would rather cheer for Mancester than Sydney, locked-in by anti-fan international rules (no live replays of controversy at grounds, no replays for refs), forced into stadiums way too big for demand, soccer is again in trouble.
And yet the skills of the average player and of junior players, the quality of coaches is the highest it has ever been.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Wayne Bennett follows Wooden...
"Knowledge alone is not enough to get desired results. You must have the more elusive ability to teach and to motivate. This defines a leader; if you can't teach and you can't motivate, you can't lead."
John R. Wooden 'Wooden' 1997
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A is for Ange
Ange must be tasting the irony in all this like someone putting 'big red' source on the meal his mum slow cooked for hours.
He spent 5 plus years ignored by the A-League. Now just about every club sees him as 'the answer'. Like they just read he won 2 national titles as a player and now 3 as a coach.
He is a smart, articulate man. He matches it with the toughest journalists, leads them to the answer. Fixes miss-perceptions deftly.
He can also live in the world where he discreetly lays down the law. But in public on game day he is in the background. He knows how to handle young men, do as he says or they will miss out on being part of his team. And yes you want to be part of his team.
Ange is a planner and strategist. Seeing the big picture, not trying to solve all the problems at once.
Having said that, the cornerstone of his plan is the 'known' way to get results in modern football. Play out from the back, but not always. Play and run off the ball into continuously forming triangles. Pass short and forward. Go wide and straight down the middle. Follow the curriculum. Play the right way and mistakes are forgiven.
And yet for all his success in doing it 'his way', this role at Brisbane Roar has added something for him. A new charisma in which he sweeps all before. Jumping ship even for family could jeopardise what he dreams of... being the ACL champion. He moves - and that is another 2 years of risk. But without more resources he knows he will struggle against Urawa and the rest. You can do so much with unproven or low cost players. The top flight needs some higher cost magic.
And then there is the FFA. Melbourne Victory was its cash cow, yet it is now fading in quality and finances. And Heart's investors have lost heart. Even though they have done as well as could be expected. Both teams think the answer is Ange. More than just it can't be both teams' answer, it must be neither team. They must find their own Ange. Otherwise the magic is at risk for them, as the weight of expectation catches up with the charisma (you can't buy it, sorry).
And worse Queensland, the state of opportunity and untapped wealth, is at risk for FFA. Without Ange, the players would loose their mojo, anybody else would be a compromise - someone Victory and Heart did not want. The fans would again be cynical after being let down again. With Fury gone, Gold Coast seemingly on the edge, Brisbane would be next. Then who? No, FFA must do what Ange wants, money, 2 marquee players and no empty spots in the squad. Then probably a guest too - then we may see Brisbane rock - 30,000 every game, then 40,000.
Then the ACL.
That would be best for Ange.
Victory and Heart get creative. The Answer isn't as simple as A is for Ange.
He spent 5 plus years ignored by the A-League. Now just about every club sees him as 'the answer'. Like they just read he won 2 national titles as a player and now 3 as a coach.
He is a smart, articulate man. He matches it with the toughest journalists, leads them to the answer. Fixes miss-perceptions deftly.
He can also live in the world where he discreetly lays down the law. But in public on game day he is in the background. He knows how to handle young men, do as he says or they will miss out on being part of his team. And yes you want to be part of his team.
Ange is a planner and strategist. Seeing the big picture, not trying to solve all the problems at once.
Having said that, the cornerstone of his plan is the 'known' way to get results in modern football. Play out from the back, but not always. Play and run off the ball into continuously forming triangles. Pass short and forward. Go wide and straight down the middle. Follow the curriculum. Play the right way and mistakes are forgiven.
And yet for all his success in doing it 'his way', this role at Brisbane Roar has added something for him. A new charisma in which he sweeps all before. Jumping ship even for family could jeopardise what he dreams of... being the ACL champion. He moves - and that is another 2 years of risk. But without more resources he knows he will struggle against Urawa and the rest. You can do so much with unproven or low cost players. The top flight needs some higher cost magic.
And then there is the FFA. Melbourne Victory was its cash cow, yet it is now fading in quality and finances. And Heart's investors have lost heart. Even though they have done as well as could be expected. Both teams think the answer is Ange. More than just it can't be both teams' answer, it must be neither team. They must find their own Ange. Otherwise the magic is at risk for them, as the weight of expectation catches up with the charisma (you can't buy it, sorry).
And worse Queensland, the state of opportunity and untapped wealth, is at risk for FFA. Without Ange, the players would loose their mojo, anybody else would be a compromise - someone Victory and Heart did not want. The fans would again be cynical after being let down again. With Fury gone, Gold Coast seemingly on the edge, Brisbane would be next. Then who? No, FFA must do what Ange wants, money, 2 marquee players and no empty spots in the squad. Then probably a guest too - then we may see Brisbane rock - 30,000 every game, then 40,000.
Then the ACL.
That would be best for Ange.
Victory and Heart get creative. The Answer isn't as simple as A is for Ange.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Brisbane 2 v Central Coast 2 (Brisbane 4-2 on penalties)
50,100 were there. More than 10,000 left early (who will admit that in years to come).
More later.
More later.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sustainability and this Grand Final
This is a big game for the A-League.
Up until November 2010 the Roar's brand was still in trouble. Perhaps a result other than the incredible and unpredictable winning streak you we have seen would have seen the A-League in full retreat across Queensland. Gold Coast's future is unclear, but we could have seen all Queensland teams under FFA management. Perhaps with little prospect of new owners.
This makes what the FFA does next absolutely vital. And they aren't giving much away.
And unfortunately, the result on Sunday is critical. Somewhere in FFA there must be at least a little thought that world wrestling's business model would be a good option. Or perhaps even the controlled outcomes we see from AFL (where important markets are given access to money, the best coaches and the best young and old players until their cash flow is positive). But you can't do that. This is the world commodity game, globalised and with the least trade barriers, much of the 'net' money flows towards FIFA. FIFA, by and large, is the only part of the structure with a robust monopoly. And we know that in the long term, to make above average returns on capital employed you need a monopoly (among friends let's call it a competitive advantage).
My advice, make the most of the lead up. Savor every moment and every pass of the game. Next season is going to be, as the saying goes, interesting.
Up until November 2010 the Roar's brand was still in trouble. Perhaps a result other than the incredible and unpredictable winning streak you we have seen would have seen the A-League in full retreat across Queensland. Gold Coast's future is unclear, but we could have seen all Queensland teams under FFA management. Perhaps with little prospect of new owners.
This makes what the FFA does next absolutely vital. And they aren't giving much away.
And unfortunately, the result on Sunday is critical. Somewhere in FFA there must be at least a little thought that world wrestling's business model would be a good option. Or perhaps even the controlled outcomes we see from AFL (where important markets are given access to money, the best coaches and the best young and old players until their cash flow is positive). But you can't do that. This is the world commodity game, globalised and with the least trade barriers, much of the 'net' money flows towards FIFA. FIFA, by and large, is the only part of the structure with a robust monopoly. And we know that in the long term, to make above average returns on capital employed you need a monopoly (among friends let's call it a competitive advantage).
My advice, make the most of the lead up. Savor every moment and every pass of the game. Next season is going to be, as the saying goes, interesting.
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