A-League clubs will invest in the competition as they plot to follow the lead of the English Premier League, which exploded after independence.

Football Federation Australia has run the A-League since 2005, but the clubs have the green light to take charge from August 1. Australia is following the EPL model. The 12 clubs — including expansion sides Western United and Macarthur Rams — will acquire stakes in the competition.

While stopping well short of the toxic negotiations between the English FA and Premier League clubs in 1992, which ended in the High Court, Sunday’s deadline day talks exceeded three hours after months of tense negotiations.

The W-League and national youth league, both of which require significant investment, will also be controlled by the A-League clubs, with an independent chairperson set to be appointed alongside 12 club representatives plus two representatives from FFA.

It marks a huge breakthrough after a two-year impasse, which was intertwined with the governance talks where FIFA threatened to intervene.

A-League clubs have vowed to invest in marketing and growing the competition, with key pillars of the independent league set to include:

FFA to retain a 20 per cent stake in the A-League;
A-League clubs to pay a minimum $4.5 million annual dividend to FFA;
FFA to receive 10 per cent of any new or existing A-League licenses that are bought;
FFA’s A-League staff to be deployed immediately.
Wanderers owner and chairman of the A-League umbrella group Paul Lederer said independence was a must.

“For the professional game in Australia, and indeed the game as a whole in our country, these recommendations are the foundations for a critically needed evolution and vitalisation,” Lederer said.

“Once executed they will create the environment for investment and associated opportunities that we all want to see. The 12 member clubs are focused on completing the process and committed to investing in and delivering the elevation of all three of our national professional leagues to the status they deserve and the levels that all of the stakeholders of our game rightfully expect.”

FFA chairman Chris Nikou believes that this will unite Australia’s fractured football community.

“The recommendations of the New League Working Group serve to align and unite Australian football’s interests like never before,’’ Nikou said.

“Clubs would have greater control, triggering significant new investment in the quality and marketing of all three leagues and FFA would be able to focus its energies and resources on the national teams, grassroots and the overall strategic direction of the game.”

But every thing is still done with a cringe worthy touch

For example - 10% of transfer fees to go to the FFA. Its ridiculous and probably unprecedented anywhere in the world in our code

Everything we have asked for is going to be delivered, but not in the way we asked for it to be delivered. Its the how thats important, not the what

BB you said "" For example - 10% of transfer fees to go to the FFA. Its ridiculous and probably unprecedented anywhere in the world in our code""" ... mate thats simply not true most professional leagues support in some way their governing body in Germany I think a % of all Div 1,2 & 3 revenue is  paid to the national body, in England the EPl pay some kind of fee... I don't see how people can think given we play a national game even seven days that FFA is cheap to run and how 7 of the 9 and until recently 8 of the 9 national teams loose money ... add other stuff you want FFA to do...

So is the 9th of August the offical start of the independent era or does it start now, also when does the draw come out? 

This.

I haven’t gone through everything but it looks like they have agreed for the FFAs cut and a way to move on. Now with the Nix in, we should double down and get Auckland in to pump the competition to 16 teams.

We had Auckland in the NSL. It failed dismally. Phoenix are pretty dismal themselves, so it's incredible that we now have people pushing for more NZ teams. It would be a disaster for the league. 

It's like the football community  is living in some strange bubble unaffected by workaday economic realities. So many people now expecting an influx of funds from nowhere. So fucking naive. 

Personally, I can't see how the a league survives under the new model. There is nowhere near enough money laying around to make it work like you're all imagining. Clubs like CCM and Jets will be the first to go. I hope I'm wrong, but I know I'm not. 

Then again, the league was dying under the old model too, so I guess we had to try something different. This will probably just accelerate the fall. 

My view is either nix out or double down. If nix stay then we gotta push for another NZ team.

Nix out for mine. I know this always rubs a few noses out of joint, but when Pro/Rel comes the Nix and CCM will be wollowing near the bottom of the second tier in a short period of time. 

Nix and CCM will be wollowing near the bottom of the second tier in a short period of time. 

Nix out for mine. I know this always rubs a few noses out of joint, but when Pro/Rel comes the Nix and CCM will be wollowing near the bottom of the second tier in a short period of time. 

They are more likely to fold before that happens now that there's no administrative body to bail them out during the tough times. There will be absolutely no incentive to invest in those teams. Especially CCM, who look completely unviable under this model. In fact, regional teams are even less viable now than under the FFA. It's very difficult to see any regional team ever making any money for their owners. 

If the Nix got relegated, it would add massive cost constraints to a second division. Having to fly to NZ. Have to keep costs down as it stands

Roar and CCM are pretty much Div2 standard atm,No one will be there anymore to bail them out so they might have go to state league for survival.

Newcastle Knights make money. 

Which is why they need to be booted ASAP.

Which is why they need to be booted ASAP.

The Nix own part of the league now, not going anywhere.

But what if they got relegated?!
It's not financially viable to have them in the second div.

But what if they got relegated?!
It's not financially viable to have them in the second div.

In the EPL model the promoted team takes over the share ownership of the relegated club. Not that we’re there yet but given we are following the EPL model that’s probably how they’ll handle it here. 

They are more likely to fold before that happens now that there's no administrative body to bail them out during the tough times. There will be absolutely no incentive to invest in those teams. Especially CCM, who look completely unviable under this model. In fact, regional teams are even less viable now than under the FFA. It's very difficult to see any regional team ever making any money for their owners. 

But what if they got relegated?!
It's not financially viable to have them in the second div.

In the EPL model the promoted team takes over the share ownership of the relegated club. Not that we’re there yet but given we are following the EPL model that’s probably how they’ll handle it here. 

from what i have read the wellington owners seem pretty attached to the club 

So the A-League clubs now command the majority of the money and many here think the game overall will prosper lol.Whilst it’s good to see the new governance continue to evolve what was partly initiated by the old Board, I can see a ratling gun of hands slapping a multitude of faces coming right up.