bornadog
19-10-2011, 09:59 AM
Michael Warner, Matt Windley From: Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/etihad-stadium-returns-batter-saints-kangaroos-and-bulldogs/story-e6frf9jf-1226170142737)
THE AFL's battler clubs are being left behind after another year of disastrous financial results at Etihad Stadium.
McGuire was responding to a Herald Sun report that revealed North Melbourne received a paltry total of $97,540 from its 11 home games at Docklands this year.
He said all clubs were feeling the effects of the poor stadium deal – which remains in effect until the AFL takes complete ownership.
“The greatest disaster in football is Etihad Stadium,” McGuire said on Triple M.
“It’s a great stadium, great to watch – shocking deals.
“This was meant to be the salvation of all the clubs … we’re just copping it left right and centre.”
McGuire said he particularly felt for clubs such as the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and the Kangaroos - who have received the worst of the deals at Etihad – and laid the blame firmly at the feet of the AFL.
“It’s going to be a long 20 years for a lot of clubs,’’ he said.
“We’re all paying for it now, everyone’s paying for it because now the AFL have shifted the dividends around.
“It’s been a shocking deal. It’s the black hole in football – fix up Etihad Stadium and everyone makes money in footy.
“They don’t always get it right, the AFL and the commission.”
North Melbourne's dismal return included losses on seven matches at Etihad Stadium that attracted crowds of less than 28,000.
The Western Bulldogs wrote a cheque to Etihad management on three occasions for the privilege of hosting games at the ground this year.
St Kilda says it misses out on $210,000 for every home game not played at the MCG.
The Saints estimate they would bring in $4.9million from 11 home games at the 'G, compared to $1.89million at Etihad.
This year's results would be worse if not for guaranteed bonus payments of $100,000 for all clubs playing home games at Etihad and the MCG under a deal struck by the AFL two years ago.
Despite that initiative, some clubs are unable to bridge the gap.
"Everyone is aware there is a problem," Kangaroos chief executive Eugene Arocca said yesterday.
"In the simplest terms, a home team playing a single MCG blockbuster almost nets the same profit as we do from our 11 home games at Etihad, even with the $100,000 bonus per match factored in.
"We increased our home game attendances by 10 per cent in 2011 for an overall difference in match returns of just $60,000 for the year and are doing everything possible to make the best out of the situation."
Bulldogs chief Simon Garlick said: "The AFL has recognised the structural inequities that exist within the competition and the need to ensure there is adequate compensation in place so that those clubs most affected are not continually disadvantaged.
"In line with this we are continuing to have positive discussions with the AFL and Etihad Stadium to maximise the opportunity for a more even playing field."
A confidential AFL document released last month shows gate returns at Etihad continue to sit well below those at the MCG.
It revealed the Roos, Saints and Dogs pocket just 36 per cent of revenues for matches played at Etihad attracting crowds of 32,000.
Geelong's share at Skilled Stadium was estimated at 90 per cent, and West Coast and Fremantle at Patersons Stadium at 77 per cent.
The AFL document said the league had an "ongoing strategic objective to change stadia arrangements, especially Etihad".
An AFL funding and equalisation strategy announced by Andrew Demetriou last month was aimed at bridging the gap.
But the struggling clubs fear the divide will continue to grow after interstate rivals cash in on new stadiums in Perth and Adelaide in the next five years.
Etihad is contracted to host 46 matches a year until 2014, and at least 40 matches a year from 2015 to 2025, when the AFL takes ownership of the ground.
"The funding arrangements announced in late September specifically took into account those clubs that have lesser stadium arrangements," league spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday.
Etihad Stadium boss Ian Collins said: "We don't feel we can add to the debate as nothing has changed since the variation to the Etihad Stadium AFL 'User Agreement', which was announced in September 2009".
THE AFL's battler clubs are being left behind after another year of disastrous financial results at Etihad Stadium.
McGuire was responding to a Herald Sun report that revealed North Melbourne received a paltry total of $97,540 from its 11 home games at Docklands this year.
He said all clubs were feeling the effects of the poor stadium deal – which remains in effect until the AFL takes complete ownership.
“The greatest disaster in football is Etihad Stadium,” McGuire said on Triple M.
“It’s a great stadium, great to watch – shocking deals.
“This was meant to be the salvation of all the clubs … we’re just copping it left right and centre.”
McGuire said he particularly felt for clubs such as the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and the Kangaroos - who have received the worst of the deals at Etihad – and laid the blame firmly at the feet of the AFL.
“It’s going to be a long 20 years for a lot of clubs,’’ he said.
“We’re all paying for it now, everyone’s paying for it because now the AFL have shifted the dividends around.
“It’s been a shocking deal. It’s the black hole in football – fix up Etihad Stadium and everyone makes money in footy.
“They don’t always get it right, the AFL and the commission.”
North Melbourne's dismal return included losses on seven matches at Etihad Stadium that attracted crowds of less than 28,000.
The Western Bulldogs wrote a cheque to Etihad management on three occasions for the privilege of hosting games at the ground this year.
St Kilda says it misses out on $210,000 for every home game not played at the MCG.
The Saints estimate they would bring in $4.9million from 11 home games at the 'G, compared to $1.89million at Etihad.
This year's results would be worse if not for guaranteed bonus payments of $100,000 for all clubs playing home games at Etihad and the MCG under a deal struck by the AFL two years ago.
Despite that initiative, some clubs are unable to bridge the gap.
"Everyone is aware there is a problem," Kangaroos chief executive Eugene Arocca said yesterday.
"In the simplest terms, a home team playing a single MCG blockbuster almost nets the same profit as we do from our 11 home games at Etihad, even with the $100,000 bonus per match factored in.
"We increased our home game attendances by 10 per cent in 2011 for an overall difference in match returns of just $60,000 for the year and are doing everything possible to make the best out of the situation."
Bulldogs chief Simon Garlick said: "The AFL has recognised the structural inequities that exist within the competition and the need to ensure there is adequate compensation in place so that those clubs most affected are not continually disadvantaged.
"In line with this we are continuing to have positive discussions with the AFL and Etihad Stadium to maximise the opportunity for a more even playing field."
A confidential AFL document released last month shows gate returns at Etihad continue to sit well below those at the MCG.
It revealed the Roos, Saints and Dogs pocket just 36 per cent of revenues for matches played at Etihad attracting crowds of 32,000.
Geelong's share at Skilled Stadium was estimated at 90 per cent, and West Coast and Fremantle at Patersons Stadium at 77 per cent.
The AFL document said the league had an "ongoing strategic objective to change stadia arrangements, especially Etihad".
An AFL funding and equalisation strategy announced by Andrew Demetriou last month was aimed at bridging the gap.
But the struggling clubs fear the divide will continue to grow after interstate rivals cash in on new stadiums in Perth and Adelaide in the next five years.
Etihad is contracted to host 46 matches a year until 2014, and at least 40 matches a year from 2015 to 2025, when the AFL takes ownership of the ground.
"The funding arrangements announced in late September specifically took into account those clubs that have lesser stadium arrangements," league spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday.
Etihad Stadium boss Ian Collins said: "We don't feel we can add to the debate as nothing has changed since the variation to the Etihad Stadium AFL 'User Agreement', which was announced in September 2009".