By Joffa - 9 Nov 2016 7:12 PM
November 9 2016 - 6:25PM FFA set to introduce A-League expansion framework after meeting with Tasmanian bid  Football Federation Australia will fast track the expansion of the A-League and invite bids for new licences after meeting representatives from Tasmania this week. An FFA spokesman confirmed that a meeting with representatives of a Tasmania bid took place in Sydney where it is understood the governing body decided against granting the state its first professional football team of any code and signposted the criteria for a successful bid. These include broadcast appeal, financial strength driven by membership and fans, as well as servicing football player bases. Sources described the negotiations as "a real discussion" between the FFA and a bid that was brought to the table with heavy financial backing and government and corporate support but which was not enough to convince the governing body to award the group a licence for next season. As revealed by Fairfax Media last week, Tasmania's submission had no shortage of experience in football administration with Melbourne Victory shareholders Harry Stamoulis and Robert Belteky and former Tasmanian NSL player David Clarkson leading their charge. At the meeting, the representatives produced a letter of support from the Tasmanian government for an A-League licence as well as a pledge to refurbish stadiums at costs between $20 million and $30 million.
The team would have primarily been based out of Hobart, while also playing matches in Launceston, but that appears to not have allayed the FFA's concerns particularly about infrastructure and broadcast appeal.Representatives of the Tasmania bid were the first of what is expected to be an influx of parties ready to meet with the FFA in the hope of gaining an A-League licence. While the door was not shut on the Tasmanian bid following the meeting, being one of six regions that have already signalled their interest to the FFA prompted the organisation to introduce a set of criteria for expansion that will be unveiled by early next year.
The FFA has not provided a specific framework for interested bidding parties but is now prepared to open the process to the market and will invite bids from across the country for inclusion in the A-League by as early as January. Expansion of a 10 to 12-team competition will likely occur in the 2018-19 season coinciding with the introduction of a new broadcast deal next season. Any new entrant into the A-League will likely have to prove a strong connection to a grass-roots player pool, the ability to promote a sense of passion and tribalism within its region as well as attract TV audiences. It's for this reason Brisbane, Southern Sydney and Geelong are considered the frontrunners for inclusion in the next stage of A-League expansion. But that could change once the process is opened to bids with specific criteria. It's understood bids from Western Australia and South Australia will also be put forward to the FFA next year. Head of the A-League, Greg O'Rourke told Fairfax Media last month that any new entrants to the competition will not be placed "surgically" by the FFA. "We need any new team to be successful in its own right but also be providing a benefit to the whole competition. That will mean that broadcast and commercial sponsorships will be enhanced by the additional team or teams. Applicants will need to provide a solid mix of both commercial and football business plans," he said. "In the short to medium term we should expect the league to expand via selection of 'fit for purpose' licences against a commercial and football criteria that sees growth for the whole of game."
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/ffa-set-to-introduce-aleague-expansion-framework-after-meeting-with-tasmanian-bid-20161109-gslo04.html
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By jaymz - 11 Nov 2016 2:55 PM
+x+x+xEvery single regional team has failed,because they are not critical to FFA media rights deals.Every team excluding MV has struggled.Brisbane and Adelaide were saved by FFA.SFC was kept afloat by the deep deep pockets of a Russian Billionaire,despite losing probably more than anyone else. So excluding regional teams based on prior failures is meaningless,other than to show what owners did wrong and what FFA did wrong. Successful teams are popular.That's the major factor. Dubbo United with big name marquees and a good team around them would be successful. South Sydney with no names and losing all the time will be a failure. Northern Sydney. Northern Spirit was a popular team that was constructed from nothing. South Sydney is problematic with SFC having a strong fanbase there.Why is noone talking Northern Sydney?Lots and lots of fish swimming there and noone catching them.North Sydney is still one of the biggest business districts in Australia.Chatswood,Manly and all thats around the area.Are there no football fans living or playing football there? It just seems so obvious to me.It worked before . The Mariners talked Northern Sydney lol. But really it's all very much a SFC region. About a quarter of SFC's members come from between Manly and North Sydney (a third come from south of Kogarah). North Sydney is desolate on a weekend. Absolutely nothing and no-one there. I wouldn't be unhappy if SFC bought North Sydney Oval and turned it into a rectangular stadium, with the old grandstand along one side. Better than being a home for tumbleweeds like it currently is! South West Sydney is the logical area in Sydney.... I 100% agree with South West Sydney and that would be my preference over Southern Sydney. Put a team there now and let it grow as the area grows. Accept 6k crowds to start with but let it grow as the area grows and the club becomes engrained in the area. I'd also prefer Wollongong over Southern Sydney aswell. With Sydney FC having many members/supporters already in the Sutherland/Kogarah area there is already that estabilished rivalry between Wollongong and the southern sydney supporters of SFC.
Of all the places in Sydney, southern sydney is the least deserving as it is already serviced quite well. South West ticks all the boxes imo, it is only lacking a consortium to actually get a bid together. Id go as far to say that if its not going to be south west, then dont bother expanding in sydney at all this time around
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