Member forum 2 Feb... and Gold/Platinum seating changes

[LG__]

While we collectively hate the idea of a
Sydney grand final every year, it’s somewhat understandable to keep the league going.

The APL had a cash injection of $140 million from Silver Lake, the idea the sell off was to keep the league going is just another lie from an incompetent organisation.

 

[turbo]

The APL had a cash injection of $140 million from Silver Lake, the idea the sell off was to keep the league going is just another lie from an incompetent organisation.

They have been very upfront and consistent in saying that money is for investing in the league not funding operational losses. That's one thing I actually believe and was likely a condition of the investment.

 

[FFC Mariner]

They have been very upfront and consistent in saying that money is for investing in the league not funding operational losses. That's one thing I actually believe and was likely a condition of the investment.

Lending to Victory you mean?
Borrowing from the APL to fund last place.
Also the $30m that Danny wasted on their app that is junk

 

[turbo]

Lending to Victory you mean?
Borrowing from the APL to fund last place.

It's not clear whether Victory borrowed from Silverlake money or some other fund

Also the $30m that Danny wasted on their app that is junk

No argument here. But if clubs are losing a couple of million per year that subsidizes 1-2 years of losses at most. There's a reason silverlake would want that kept separate from those losses, at least keep up is something to show for it. Not great but some sort of new initiative not just funding squads.

 

[Melange]

Not sure where all the responsibility lies but:
- Fans starting fights in car parks at our Australia Cup game v Sydney - no action taken
- fans invading the pitch and displaying right wing political banners in the QF and SF of the Australia Cup - no action taken - then the crowd debacle at the final
- Early this season fans regularly on the pitch at various games - no action taken - till we get the player assault debacle
- Selling of the GF and the management of the announcement
- Danny later blaming poor communications around the GF sale for a lot of the issues despite him leading the communications
- Complete lack of action from APL to leverage off the wave of support following the world cup
- No substantial improvement in officiating management eg a bizzare decision to change officials to give a local ref the job when we played Adelaide last year in the finals, or officiating performance on game day, both on field and VAR.
- Crap fan behaviour by WSW at our game including throwing projectiles at players - no action taken
- Crap fan behaviour by WSW at the Sydney derby including throwing projectiles at players - no action taken
- Sydney FC fans invading the pitch at the derby - no action taken
- a crap media deal that has allowed paramount to pay less despite poor paramount products being part of the reason fans have stopped engaging
- keep up
- continuing to give the richest clubs money for marquee players who are useless, in almost 20 years we've had about 3 successes

Running a competition is not new and the basics are pretty f**king simple, but we still:
- start games in summer in the middle of the day. Doesn't matter if the broadcaster wants these times, if they do then accept less money from them. but get the times right, improve the quality of the game, improve the spectator experience and with improved popularity because the footy is better negotiate a better broadcast deal next time around
- can't put in place a home and away format
- play on shit pitches because stadium management treat us like second class citizens and allow concerts and rugby matches to be played.

Not all Danny, but a few of the key ones are - he should be sacked

 

[FFC Mariner]

Not sure where all the responsibility lies but:
- Fans starting fights in car parks at our Australia Cup game v Sydney - no action taken
- fans invading the pitch and displaying right wing political banners in the QF and SF of the Australia Cup - no action taken - then the crowd debacle at the final
- Early this season fans regularly on the pitch at various games - no action taken - till we get the player assault debacle
- Selling of the GF and the management of the announcement
- Danny later blaming poor communications around the GF sale for a lot of the issues despite him leading the communications
- Complete lack of action from APL to leverage off the wave of support following the world cup
- No substantial improvement in officiating management eg a bizzare decision to change officials to give a local ref the job when we played Adelaide last year in the finals, or officiating performance on game day, both on field and VAR.
- Crap fan behaviour by WSW at our game including throwing projectiles at players - no action taken
- Crap fan behaviour by WSW at the Sydney derby including throwing projectiles at players - no action taken
- Sydney FC fans invading the pitch at the derby - no action taken
- a crap media deal that has allowed paramount to pay less despite poor paramount products being part of the reason fans have stopped engaging
- keep up
- continuing to give the richest clubs money for marquee players who are useless, in almost 20 years we've had about 3 successes

Running a competition is not new and the basics are pretty f**king simple, but we still:
- start games in summer in the middle of the day. Doesn't matter if the broadcaster wants these times, if they do then accept less money from them. but get the times right, improve the quality of the game, improve the spectator experience and with improved popularity because the footy is better negotiate a better broadcast deal next time around
- can't put in place a home and away format
- play on shit pitches because stadium management treat us like second class citizens and allow concerts and rugby matches to be played.

Not all Danny, but a few of the key ones are - he should be sacked

Great post. Danny's resume right there

 

[priorpeter]

It's not clear whether Victory borrowed from Silverlake money or some other fund

We pressed DGB on where the silverlake money had gone when we spoke with him (or rather when he spoke at us). He initially claimed the silverlake money was only there for projects to grow the game, however later conceded he’d spunked a lot of it keeping clubs afloat/as loans for certain clubs’ massive operating losses.

 

[LG__]

Not sure where all the responsibility lies but:
- Fans starting fights in car parks at our Australia Cup game v Sydney - no action taken
- fans invading the pitch and displaying right wing political banners in the QF and SF of the Australia Cup - no action taken - then the crowd debacle at the final
- Early this season fans regularly on the pitch at various games - no action taken - till we get the player assault debacle
- Selling of the GF and the management of the announcement
- Danny later blaming poor communications around the GF sale for a lot of the issues despite him leading the communications
- Complete lack of action from APL to leverage off the wave of support following the world cup
- No substantial improvement in officiating management eg a bizzare decision to change officials to give a local ref the job when we played Adelaide last year in the finals, or officiating performance on game day, both on field and VAR.
- Crap fan behaviour by WSW at our game including throwing projectiles at players - no action taken
- Crap fan behaviour by WSW at the Sydney derby including throwing projectiles at players - no action taken
- Sydney FC fans invading the pitch at the derby - no action taken
- a crap media deal that has allowed paramount to pay less despite poor paramount products being part of the reason fans have stopped engaging
- keep up
- continuing to give the richest clubs money for marquee players who are useless, in almost 20 years we've had about 3 successes

Running a competition is not new and the basics are pretty f**king simple, but we still:
- start games in summer in the middle of the day. Doesn't matter if the broadcaster wants these times, if they do then accept less money from them. but get the times right, improve the quality of the game, improve the spectator experience and with improved popularity because the footy is better negotiate a better broadcast deal next time around
- can't put in place a home and away format
- play on shit pitches because stadium management treat us like second class citizens and allow concerts and rugby matches to be played.

Not all Danny, but a few of the key ones are - he should be sacked

Ugly reading.

 

[LG__]

We pressed DGB on where the silverlake money had gone when we spoke with him (or rather when he spoke at us). He initially claimed the silverlake money was only there for projects to grow the game, however later conceded he’d spunked a lot of it keeping clubs afloat/as loans for certain clubs’ massive operating losses.

I would hope clubs aren’t spending beyond their means on players / expenses and then crying wolf to the APL for a top up

 

[FFC Mariner]

I would hope clubs aren’t spending beyond their means on players / expenses and then crying wolf to the APL for a top up

Victory are into them for millions

 

[turbo]

We pressed DGB on where the silverlake money had gone when we spoke with him (or rather when he spoke at us). He initially claimed the silverlake money was only there for projects to grow the game, however later conceded he’d spunked a lot of it keeping clubs afloat/as loans for certain clubs’ massive operating losses.

Not ideal. I guess as a loan it’s not necessarily gone but at some point the APL needs to collect.

 

[priorpeter]

Not ideal. I guess as a loan it’s not necessarily gone but at some point the APL needs to collect.

Gonna be interesting to see how clubs like Vuck, with a $7.6m loss last FY, manage to repay said loans.

 

[turbo]

Gonna be interesting to see how clubs like Vuck, with a $7.6m loss last FY, manage to repay said loans.

There was talk the 777 buy in had wiped their debts but I don’t know if that includes to the APL. Though they have the option to walk away within 5 years and have their investment paid with 10% interest or something like that so there’s very much an axe hanging over the club in the short term.

 

[FFC Mariner]

There was talk the 777 buy in had wiped their debts but I don’t know if that includes to the APL. Though they have the option to walk away within 5 years and have their investment paid with 10% interest or something like that so there’s very much an axe hanging over the club in the short term.

Axe or fire bucket

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I wonder how much went to help the big clubs fund the Jets?

 

[Ancient Mariner]

Gonna be interesting to see how clubs like Vuck, with a $7.6m loss last FY, manage to repay said loans.

How are any of the clubs who have never made a profit expected to repay a loan.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

I also wonder how close the A-League is getting to trading while insolvent.
Are they just hoping to hang on until they can sign a new media deal?

 

[Ironbark]

If clubs are running at a loss and can't fund themselves then they need to cut back on the roster and other costs - like we have done for so long. Time for everyone to work under the same constraints, not just us. Maybe we won't just be 'punching above our weight' if the playing field levels somewhat

 

[JoyfulPenguin]

If clubs are running at a loss and can't fund themselves then they need to cut back on the roster and other costs - like we have done for so long. Time for everyone to work under the same constraints, not just us. Maybe we won't just be 'punching above our weight' if the playing field levels somewhat

100% I never understood why financial responsibility was exclusively expected of smaller clubs.

 

[Tevor]

I also wonder how close the A-League is getting to trading while insolvent.
Are they just hoping to hang on until they can sign a new media deal?

The new media deal is when it will all hit the wall. With low numbers for P- there must be huge concerns if P- will even be interested in a new deal. I think one thing is for certain it will be for less $$$ per season than the current deal. There are very few options out there, the APL during this P- deal should have been working on being their own broadcaster like the J League (Silverlake money being put to good use). This will be crunch time if the APL survives and if FA comes in and takes over with a huge smile on their faces and a big "told you so". The GF situation was one of desperation for $$$ to keep the comp going in my opinion.