AT least 15 A-League hopefuls are vying to join the A-League, with leading soccer figures declaring large-scale expansion would inject “billions” into Australian soccer.
Northern Territory is the only state/territory not represented come the first expansion deadline (Expression of Interest) on Thursday.
Multiple bids are coming from Victoria, NSW and Queensland, while Canberra, Tasmania, Fremantle and Adelaide clubs/consortiums are making submissions, as calls grow louder for a professional second division.
Football Federation Australia vowed to announce two new expansion clubs for 2019-20 by October 31, but A-League clubs have urged the governing body to consult with them amid the FIFA governance cloud still hanging over the game.
A-League chief Greg O’Rourke confirmed the mass expansion interest.
“With the EOI deadline looming on the 24th, we can confirm that we have had 15 registrations already which represent every state or territory in Australia except the Northern Territory. We look forward to progressing to our formal RFP stage with the knowledge that the demand for an expansion licence is strong,” O’Rourke said.
BELOW: EVERY TEAM IN A-LEAGUE EXPANSION RACE
The players’ union chief executive John Didulica declared that calculated expansion could transform the game into a “billion-dollar” industry.
“Expanding our professional footprint would create opportunities for footballers, coaches and administrators, whilst creating a platform for communities throughout Australia who aspire to be represented by an elite football club. Without doing so, it’ll become increasingly challenging to be internationally competitive,” Didulica said.
“Building a professional footprint capable of achieving these objectives over the next decade through A-League expansion and a second tier of competition is probably a billion-dollar investment by the industry.”
A-League clubs’ (APFCA) chairman Greg Griffin said they were eager to expand aggressively.
“We support expansion. Ideally, within 4-5 years we want to see the competition run independently with 16 teams,’’ Griffin said.
“The current process we’re not supportive of simply because they haven’t been consulted with us in any meaningful way. With likely changes to the (FFA) Congress, it’s inappropriate to award new licenses when the landscape of the game could be entirely different in November 2018.
“We want expansion but we want to ensure they’re in the right place and right location – good for A-League, works for existing clubs and financial terms are for the benefit of A-League and not FFA revenues.
“The general feeling amongst clubs is that the next two expansion teams will most likely be located somewhere in Sydney and Melbourne.
“The second division is absolutely in play.”
FFA EXPANSION TIMELINES
EOI submission due — 24 May 2018
Confirmation of short-listed bidders — June 2018
Release of Request for Proposal — 11 June 2018
Deadline for submission of proposals — 31 August 2018
Announcement — 31 October 2018