Mail I just received

Melbourne Heart to go into administration within 2 weeks.

Apparently FFA to take over

If true this will make a mockery of the Nth QLD Fury fiasco and the FFA not supporting them financially

Edited by chris: 6/10/2011 02:54:01 PM

so if that last offer was $2.5m per franchise, SURELY with the increase in standard this season of the league once again, the arrival of 2 high profile socceroos as well as a couple of other socceroos, better advertising for the league, and a MUCH better scheduling of matches, this would lead to an increase in crowds and will be a big talking point in the media (as we have already seen so far in the pre-season)

If all goes to plan, i wouldn't take anything lower than $3m per franchise which would mean that no team makes a loss this season.

It was widely discussed on this forum, and (I believe) admitted by Fox and the FFA, that an offer was rejected by Buckley that was worth considerably more and would have allowed around $2.5m per franchise (for 12 franchises) rather than the (at that time) $1.4m per franchise for 11.

My reasoning for believing the next deal will not be so good is down to the reduced number of teams in the competition, the reduced probability of a Western Sydney side, and the failed world cup bid.

HOPEFULLY - the arrival of Kewell and Emerton, the revised start to the season, the lack of mid-week games, the loss of Fury, the new owners (removing the fear of failing franchises) and a good promotional campaign, will see average crowds rise and improve the media perception of the health of the competition... Leading to a more favourable bidding environment.

Edited by Benjamin: 4/10/2011 09:21:39 PM

it's been confirmed this rumour is crap

heart are fine to be honest, there hasn't been any reports on saying the financial position of the club is bad

but the TV rights deals will give every club that much needed boost

Isn't it...

Victory, Victory, The winning blinds
One three
One three
Double nine

Yeah, I watched a lot of TV as a kid.

You’re starting to sound like a few of our fans over here! Clubs should be self sustaining before the TV money, otherwise we’ll forever be paupers.

Welcome to 6 years ago.

They're also based here in SA. I quite like that nickname. It's up to the rest of us to ensure the name sticks ;)

PS: best nickname EVER. Would love to see them sponsor the club :lol:

The Heart will be fine, with or without Sidwell.
I don't think he'll go, but if he does I'm sure they'll get new investors if need be.
They had 5400 members last year, and at the moment they're sitting at 4100-4200.
They'll definitely have more members than last year, but might not reach their target of 7500.
Harry Kewell going to Victory is a massive factor for new members, but I think it'll also benefit the Heart in the long term, as it'll bring more people to watch live Football in Melbourne.

This rumours is so far off the truth that it's almost amusing. Almost.

Must be a Victorian only thing... Carry on!

Since when do you need proof to post in the Rumour Mill? :lol: Pretty much what 'rumour' means.

That's a pretty simplistic to simply say "less teams less revenue = bad". Perhaps, you are right, but we need to understand the NET RESULT of one less team.

Less teams means less expense - less travel, less marketing, etc.

I haven't crunched the numbers, but presumably, someone has crunched the numbers and formed the view that [NET HAL FINANCIAL RESULT WITH NQF < NET HAL FINANCIAL RESULT WITHOUT NQF].

Finally, you've suggested the HAL received a "good offer" from FoxSports 2 years ago.

Perhaps you are correct. Can you kindly let us know what is your expertise in this area - what is a "good result" and why do you think there is not a better result in the offing?

it's true they are sitting on less teams, but fury were quite a poor side last year and were dragging the league down. At least this season a-league sides have recruited well, so all sides will be better, the standard will improve once again, which means the matches will be more competitive and of better quality

Add the signings of Kewell, Emerton, Vidosic who are all current socceroos that people recognize and want to see in action, as well as Fred who is quite a recognizable player in melbourne. For once, people have a genuine interest to see these players in action, and people will want to see more of them when they realise that the standard is actually decent. All we need this season is the a-league to break crowd records, and continuously have people talking about it and the TV rights deals should be pretty high

They are sitting on over 4000 atm.

Their members will probably actually decrease this year, and they had about 3000-4000 last season.

TV deal won't save anyone if it isn't considerably better than the old one. They were made a good offer 2 years ago, when they had 11 teams and looked set to have 12 - it will now be renegotiated with only 10 teams.

The new investors, from what I've heard, have agreed to cover Mirabella's share - but have insisted that Heart runs within it's budget this year (which is why the squad looks like a budget version). The signing of Fred was meant to catch floating fans in Melbourne, but the Kewell signing has trumped that move.

None of this is a surprise. Heart lost millions last season. Mirabella left, mentioned on his way out that van't Schip is overpaid. Heart have been losing money hand over fist and with the Kewell signing by Victory they have fallen into even more obscurity. In their first year they failed to carve out any sort of meaningful or unique existence in Melbourne apart from a couple of clueless fgts like the bloke posting above me and some disaffected Victory people who jumped ship.

The end is nigh.

don't know if this is true

a few months ago he was talking about the long term future of the club. Out of all people he would know that it takes more than a year to establish a business and he had to be expecting to lose money in order to gain money. He said the club lost 3million after budgeting for a loss of 2million in it's first season however the board was fairly pleased with that result in the end. Mirabella has gone but the club has replaced him with 2 new investors who would have easily invested just as much as mirabella, if not more. Also T.V rights deals are coming up at the end of this season which will save a lot of clubs.

Yes he own Sutton Grange Winery and is the manager of mick malthouse, also CEO of intralot ( :lol: victory i wonder why they don't sponsor you anymore :P ) One of the reasons why heart have got some of the leagues best sponsors.

Victory, Victory, curtains and...

Terrible stache.... Why are MV nicknamed "the blinds" ?

Correct me if im wrong, but isn't this the same Peter Sidwell who owns, and is now selling Sutton Grange Winery? Also is the Manager of AFL coach Mick Malthouse?

Sounds like he's in a bit of financial trouble.

Edited by KickStartMyHeart: 3/10/2011 03:39:42 PM

This would be a very big story, so are you able to give us some idea of the bona fides of your source?

E.g. if your 3 sources are closely associated with the Heart or Sidwell than your rumour becomes very credible; however, if your 3 sources are the butcher, the baker and the candle-stick maker then I may pay less attention to the rumour.

typo.#-o

jeart joff? seriously?

fwiw I hope this is wrong, more investment would be good, but I would hope Sidwell stays with the Heart.

Edited by Joffa: 3/10/2011 03:28:52 PM

I'm moving this to the rumour mill Chris until we have a link.

ima keep my eye on this . like i said chris you are usually on the ball on this

Obviously nothing in the media yet

Have heard the same version from 3 different sources all of which are not associated with each other

Need a positive spin before it goes to print