QUOTE
Geoff Lord: "Our research shows that the most powerful factor is that people can unite behind one team, and are really enjoying that," Miles said. "They also love the city-versus-city rivalry. The model of the A-League has capitalised on that. It has proved to be a masterstroke. But there would be a significant risk in changing that model to introduce new teams in major cities."
it hasn't proven to be a master stroke at all.
The 1 team, 1 city policy hasn't proven successful at all. In a big way it's failing.
But because all the media attention is on Victory the things that are failing are being not noticed much.
apart from Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland and Newcastle it hasn't done great at all.
A-League has 12 million dollars for promotion per year.
NSL had 200,000 per year.
1. Yet Perth's one team one city policy has failed.
they were getting 16,000+ in the NSL. Now with much extra money promotion and hype they've still dropped down to about 7,000. And they don't look like heading up to much.
2. New Zealand. failed. they are gone. no comment needed.
3. Central Coast Mariners. Haven't been doing too well in crowds. and they aren't doing well.
4. Adelaide were getting crowds of 12,568 (not including finals) in the NSL.
last season they dropped to 10,947 (not including finals). Even with the extra hype and with the hugely extra promotion in the A-League.
Could they slowly become they next Northern Spirit? certainly possibly. Just like Perth.
As for Sydney, and Victory, well put it this way. They may be doing great now , but noone could of imagined Perth going down ever back in the NSL, but look whats happening...
So they, eg. Geoff Lord, should not get too confident and nieve too soon. Coz they never know what can happen in the future.
So 4 teams doing well.
4 not doing well.
4 League team? Can't wait for each team to play each other 6 times a season.
It means the standard should get better.