midfielder
Well-Known Member
It's not often I agree with Con... but I agree with the general tenner of his comments... Yaa Yaa I know he is not the example of the worlds best manager ( arguably the worst) ... BUT there is almost no promotion by FFA of the A-League... maybe they don't have the coin as their overheads must be getting quite high with the staff they have appointed over the last couple of years....Also the reporter is from the TERROR
Having said all that I still think Con has a point...
Having said all that I still think Con has a point...
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26297994-5000940,00.html
Newcastle owner Con Constantine believes FFA must inject funds into clubs
By John Taylor
November 03, 2009
Newcastle Jets owner Con Constantine has called for Football Federation Australia to inject Socceroos funds into the bleeding A-League clubs.
Constantine feels too much attention has been paid to promoting the Socceroos and FFA have ignored marketing the A-League.
The financial state of the clubs is so serious that a crisis meeting has been called with FFA chairman Frank Lowy in two weeks.
Constantine, one of the most passionate owners of all, fears some clubs might even go to the wall.
With most clubs losing at least $2 million last season and the picture is looking no brighter as crowds continue to dwindle.
"These are very difficult times and let's not kid ourselves that the economy has turned around.
"Imagine if interest rates go up again," he said.
Chairmen and CEO's of the 10 clubs will sit down with Lowy and air their grievances before agreeing to renew their licences. Some club CEO's have already been meeting to form a plan of attack.
Constantine would like to see the clubs receive a bigger slice from the FoxSports TV rights deal .
"Initially the clubs received about $1.2m - there should be an increase," he said.
The contract with the Pay TV network ends in 2013.
"Personally, I'd like to see some games on free to air as not everyone has Pay TV," Constantine said.
FFA also cover travel costs of the 10 A-League teams.
"The Socceroos were in Sydney recently for the game against The Netherlands and there was over 40,000 at the game. That money goes back into the FFA coffers," Constantine said.
"I thought this (fifth year) would be our best but it's not working out that way. All the clubs are going through hard times.
"FFA must realise what they are doing is not working. They have to make sure the A-League survives and do something about it now."
FFA have already been forced to take over Adelaide United after former owner Nick Bianco handed back the franchise in May.
Despite the fact that the Reds made an Asian Champions League final against Japanese outfit Gamba last year and played in the FIFA World Club Challenge, the prizemoney earned still didn't see the club in the black.
The club had to split the $2.7 million received from the ACL with the six A-League clubs (Wellington exempt) at the time and FFA also received their cut.
Meanwhile, FFA had a major breakthrough yesterday with Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer agreeing with the federation to build the fan base and scrap the controversial cap on crowds at Skilled Park.
The franchise capped their crowds at 5000 last weekend.
A new pricing structure will also be set before Saturday's home game against leaders Sydney FC.