Play Nice 2020 Non AFL Admin, Crowds, Ratings, Participation etc thread

[Ned_Flanders]

I'll try & delete it ....

Don't, it's actually a valid query.

Liberty was rumoured to be looking to sell F1 at the start of last season. Now their share price is 40% down, and they have $4b in debt covering the event. They also own the Atlanta braves and Sirius radio, so not great business to own in the middle of a pandemic

Question is if racing doesn't resume in 2020, can they keep the debtholders happy

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

At what cost to local control and long term development??? Its not just sporting assets, but wealthy individuals hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds etc will be scouring the world to buy cheap undervalued assets that have been severely hit by Covid-19, so sports assets wont be immune from this type of buying cheap assets.

US buyers ready to pounce on Australian teams, says investment banker

The head of a major American investment bank has cashed-up clients ready to buy Australian franchises – and even entire sporting leagues – that may not otherwise survive the coronavirus shutdown.

Andrew Kline is the founder and managing director of Park Lane, a firm that specialises in helping high net-worth individuals become owners of sporting franchises. The former St Louis Rams NFL draftee has facilitated deals for his clients to buy and sell teams across all the major American sporting leagues, including the National Basketball Association, National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

Kline has an intimate knowledge of the local sporting landscape, having previously lived in Australia. He also has another local link, as a close friend of Bradley Charles Stubbs, in an indication the "coach whisperer" is making an impression not only on the sporting world, but also the big end of town.

With several Australian teams and sporting codes teetering on the brink due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kline revealed he was lining up prospective owners ready to make a play for local licenses. "We have clients who are very interested in Australia; not just purchasing a team, but an entire league," Kline told the Sun-Herald. "It’s a great market that we believe in. We feel like there will be not just heavy Australian investment back in the country, but heavy American investment back in the country.

"As a firm, we’re very focused on picking different opportunities up. I can’t say too much, but we always keep a close eye on Australia. We were looking at Australian assets before COVID hit and we were interested. Now that there has been some steam taken out of the market, we are even more interested.

"While things are priced fairly well, we will take a closer look."
Due to confidentiality arrangements, Kline did not want to disclose the identity of his clients or the properties they are targeting. However, the Sun-Herald understands the four football codes – NRL, AFL, A-League and rugby union – are on the radar. While some clients are content to purchase a single team, others have the means and desire to buy out an entire sporting code.

"The answer is yes on both," Kline said. "I can’t be that defined, but there are opportunities with all of your different sporting teams and leagues."I guarantee there are teams that are run perfectly and there are teams that can be run much better. It’s not like America has all the answers, that’s not how it is. Every league and every industry, you have the people who know what they are doing and run a tight ship and you have people who don’t.

"That’s where you find the opportunity. I would say right now, prices could get pressed and it’s just a no-brainer to buy."The thing about sport is we have some clients who lose $10 million, $20 million, $30 million, $40 million, $50 million on owning a sports team. But what they get … in intangible stuff in being that owner is well worth it. "You can turn it into a real profit centre, too, for a long time.
....

US buyers ready to pounce on Australian teams, says investment banker

The American powerbroker responsible for ownership deals in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL has prospective buyers ready to swallow up entire Australian sporting codes.

www.theage.com.au

2 weeks ago the government announced that the Foreign Investment Review Board will scrap the $$ threshold limit on purchase of Australian assets and will review every single investment by foreigners. Will purchase of sports assets be waved through?

Clampdown on foreign investments to prevent international raids on Australian assets

All foreign investments in Australia, regardless of value, will now require approval in a Federal Government move designed to prevent international raids on struggling companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

All foreign investment in Australia will now require approval in a Federal Government move designed to prevent international raids on struggling companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

At the moment, foreign investors need to apply for approval before purchasing land or assets in Australia if the value is over a certain threshold. For private investors from free-trading agreement partner countries, that limit ranges from $50 million to $1.1 billion, for land and non-land proposals.

But from Sunday, the Foreign Investment Review Board will scrutinise every single purchase application, regardless of its value. The ABC understands members of the Government believe the changes will prevent China from taking advantage of Australia's weak financial position to snap-up strategically important assets.

 

[Kwality]

Kline has an intimate knowledge of the local sporting landscape

Andrew Kline on google:

andrew kline park lane - Google Search

www.google.com

Rings of the Illawara Hawks false start.

 

[manicmagpie]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/09/nrl-2020-season-restart-decision

There’s some pretty strong criticism of the NRL from their long term broadcast partner in there.

Channel Nine has launched a scathing broadside at the NRL over the league’s plans to restart a shortened competition as early as 21 May, claiming the broadcast rights holder has not been consulted on the proposal and accusing the NRL of squandering millions of dollars over a number of years.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Think I have finally worked out how V'landys says rugby League that sounds a little strange when he pronuces it. It partly his Greek heritage partly just

Phonetically he says Rugby Ligg instead of Rugby Lee gue

Bit like Juan Antonio Samaranch and Sydney. People think he said Syd a neee but he didn't.

Phonetically we say Syd neee, but Samarch said Syd ne.

 

[Rob]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/09/nrl-2020-season-restart-decision

There’s some pretty strong criticism of the NRL from their long term broadcast partner in there.

I find the idea that Channel 9 didn't get consulted absolutely extraordinary. The whole comp would theoretically be set up for TV - if the NRL go to the trouble of setting it up and Channel 9 says that's not acceptable, then the whole thing goes to s**t.

Why *wouldn't* 9 have a seat at the table? It's in everyone's interests I would have thought.

 

[Gigantor]

pretty amazing that Nine would make such public statements

 

[RedV3x]

pretty amazing that Nine would make such public statements

Unless it's to influence the price.

 

[Our Game]

Unless it's to influence the price.

Spot on!

 

[BringBackTorps]

1. AFR A. Greig & M.Mason 9.4

Australia is almost certainly going into a deep economic recession. This is a good summary of how the economic crisis will affect the 4 football codes.

All sports will be slashing their costs, on a permanent basis.

RU may collapse in Aust. & become a semi-pro sport, & the A League may get smaller in the short term. Both will either lose Foxtel coverage; or, if it continues (or another broadcaster emerges), the Rights' $ will be greatly reduced.

The NRL desperately needs to acquire funding of $50m-100m, but a non-bank loan would be at high interest rates- which will curtail NRL funding in development & the NRLW.

Whilst the AFL will be forced to make major spending cuts, "there is no doubt the indigenous game is on a far firmer financial footing".

Why winter sport will never be the same

Coronavirus could well be fatal for at least one of Australia's four football codes.

www.afr.com

2. SMH 9.4

Nine and Foxtel play hardball with NRL over season reboot

With games to be played without crowds and the competition potentially stretching beyond October, a tussle looms over how much the game's broadcasters will be willing to pay.

www.smh.com.au

EDIT:

NRL to resume 28.5
(Apparently,the NRL has NO approval yet from the NSW Health Minister re starting 28.5. Will the AFL also start 28.5?)

V'landys: 'Why wouldn't we restart? That's the bottom line'

ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys is confident the NRL would avoid the "catastrophic" consequences he had predicted now that the Telstra Premiership is set to resume on May 28.

www.nrl.com

3. SMH 9.4

R. Masters said, re Nine's boss H. Marks, that Marks wants to renegotiate (claiming force majeure) the current (2018-2022) rights' contract ie to reduce the cost.

Also, "In fact, he almost certainly seeks to extend the existing contract at significantly reduced rates" for NRL seasons post 2022.


https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ni...rsion-from-the-main-game-20200409-p54iq4.html

 

[RedV3x]

R. Masters said, re Nine's boss H. Marks

"In fact, he almost certainly seeks to extend the existing contract at significantly reduced rates" for NRL season 2021-2022.

Well Roy, what about this

National - 10 News First - Network Ten

All the latest National news with 10 News First.

10daily.com.au

 

[Kwality]

Mr, V' has gone early here:
'ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys spoke to the NSW Health Minister on Friday morning to remind him that NRL had been given the all-clear to resume in its heartland' from the Aus*

The appropriatedly named Minister Hazzard doesnt seem to agree, pointing out its not up to the politicians & that the NRL have cancelled their games.


*
Peter V’landys bullish over NRL’s intended restart date

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

 

[RedV3x]

Mr, V' has gone early here:
'ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys spoke to the NSW Health Minister on Friday morning to remind him that NRL had been given the all-clear to resume in its heartland' from the Aus*

The appropriatedly named Minister Hazzard doesnt seem to agree, pointing out its not up to the politicians & that the NRL have cancelled their games.


*
Peter V’landys bullish over NRL’s intended restart date

NoCookies | The Australian

www.theaustralian.com.au

A big throw of the dice if the NRL goes against it's own medical advice and something happens.

 

[The_Wookie]

 

[NoobPie]

Wow, who woulda thought being an audacious spiv would be far less effective heading up a professional football competition than a horsey club???

 

[Kwality]

Wow, who woulda thought being an audacious spiv would be far less effective heading up a professional football competition than a horsey club???

You do know the difference between a Chairman & a CEO ..... Ed or MrV' ?

 

[RedV3x]

You do know the difference between a Chairman & a CEO ..... Ed or MrV' ?

Mr Ed is the talking horse of course.

 

[NoobPie]

You do know the difference between a Chairman & a CEO ..... Ed or MrV' ?

Hahahahaha

Well of course i do but there is little evidence vlandy does!!!

 

[Kwality]

Hahahahaha

Well of course i do but there is little evidence vlandy does!!!

We agree. As a CEO he has done a great job for Racing NSW, as a Chairman of the NRL , in the AFL its like a playing coach, can play, cant coach

 

[Kwality]

Hahahahaha

Well of course i do but there is little evidence vlandy does!!!

& he might have a guardian angel that Mr V

Global company pitches NRL plan to save tens of millions on broadcasts

A third party with extensive global sports experience has approached the NRL with a plan that could halve production costs by bringing broadcasting in-house.

www.smh.com.au

The NRL has been approached about forming a venture to produce its broadcast content in-house in a move that could slash tens of millions of dollars in annual costs.
The Sun-Herald can reveal a third party with extensive global sports production experience has pitched a proposal to powerbrokers at Rugby League Central that could revolutionise the way rugby league telecasts are produced. The parties met to discuss the idea for the next broadcast deal,.....

The third party, which wishes to remain anonymous, is proposing to bring its infrastructure and expertise to the NRL to transform it into an organisation capable of broadcasting matches and associated content itself. It is estimated that production costs could be reduced by as much as 50 per cent for every game.

Those behind the pitch believe the quality of the product will be every bit as good as current telecasts. The initiative would also give the NRL creative and editorial control and could open the door for other sports to use the services. It also opens up the prospect of rugby league being on-sold to a mix of traditional broadcasters, including free-to-air and pay TV, as well as Netflix, Google, Optus and Amazon. Those platforms could also potentially be involved in simulcast arrangements with traditional partners.
The NRL has already committed $150 million towards its digital strategy, including a huge investment into nrl.com. That gives the game the option of providing more of its own exclusive content directly to subscribers or on-selling games to a variety of providers.

 

[robbieando]

NSW government gave NRL written permission to restart competition

A letter from the NSW Police Commissioner dispels any suggestion the NRL has gone rogue in attempting to restart the competition.

www.theage.com.au

Turns out V'Landys did have written permission from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller in his role as the State Emergency Operations Controller giving the go ahead to restart, which itself was based upon the NSW Health Minister's directions relating to COVID-19 after asking for that advice.

Fuller is in charge of NSW's COVID-19 response (a position he was appointed by the Premier and the NSW Health Minister) and is the only person who can approve (or ban) NRL games going ahead in the State of NSW while the state is in lockdown.

 

[Kwality]

NSW government gave NRL written permission to restart competition

A letter from the NSW Police Commissioner dispels any suggestion the NRL has gone rogue in attempting to restart the competition.

www.theage.com.au

Turns out V'Landys did have written permission from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller in his role as the State Emergency Operations Controller giving the go ahead to restart, which itself was based upon the NSW Health Minister's directions relating to COVID-19 after asking for that advice.

Fuller is in charge of NSW's COVID-19 response (a position he was appointed by the Premier and the NSW Health Minister) and is the only person who can approve (or ban) NRL games going ahead in the State of NSW while the state is in lockdown.

Writing another letter might skewer Mr V ?
Foolish to run this argument in public imho.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Between this and the cruise ship debacle, the NSW health minister isn't looking very competent lately.

 

[Our Game]

Between this and the cruise ship debacle, the NSW health minister isn't looking very competent lately.

You are not wrong!
Why am I not surprised that a media tart like V'Landys dosen't care about the general public's well being and is pushing for his second rate sport to start early to stop it going broke.Hopefully the Feds will step in and stop this dangerous talk.

This is also a very bad look for a sport that already has poor image with the public.A public that are dying and getting very sick and losing their jobs and businesses due to this crisis.

Interesting side note!
As of today NSW has 2857 cases 23 deaths and Victoria only 1265 14 deaths and NSW is not twice the population of Victoria in fact only about 1.2million more
So something is working a lot better in Victoria.

 

[The_Wookie]

You are not wrong!
Why am I not surprised that a media tart like V'Landys dosen't care about the general public's well being and is pushing for his second rate sport to start early to stop it going broke.Hopefully the Feds will step in and stop this dangerous talk.

This is also a very bad look for a sport that already has poor image with the public.A public that are dying and getting very sick and losing their jobs and businesses due to this crisis.

Interesting side note!
As of today NSW has 2857 cases 23 deaths and Victoria only 1265 14 deaths and NSW is not twice the population of Victoria in fact only about 1.2million more
So something is working a lot better in Victoria.

well not having a shipful of plague carriers pull in helps