Glory now likely to stay at nib Stadium

Simon White
August 3, 2011 - 3:05PM


The Perth Glory looks set to stay at nib Stadium after the state government today announced a boost of more than $6.5 million to corporate boxes, digital signage and audio-visual facilities at the ground.

The Glory had spoken as recently as last week about a potential move to the Perth Hockey Stadium as a cost-cutting measure.

But Glory chief executive Paul Kelly said a $6.6 million increase in the scope of the redevelopment of nib Stadium's eastern stand meant the A-League club would most likely stay at its traditional home.

The state government announced today the redevelopment would increase from $88.5 million to $95.1 million and would now include 56 open corporate boxes (seating 420 people), a 250-person barbecue terrace, LED signage and a second video screen.

"To be honest, with the savings on audio and visual equipment and the additional revenue opportunities from the corporate boxes and digital signage, we'd be almost mad to be looking anywhere else," Kelly said.

"At the moment we have to hire our own big screen and organise the audio equipment ourselves. It costs about $20,000 per game.

"Take that out across 15 games and you are talking about $300,000. It's a lot of money.

"We've always said we'd go with whatever option allowed us to save the most money. At the moment, it's most likely we'll stay at nib Stadium."

The Glory is contracted to play at nib Stadium until the end of the 2012-13 season.

The eastern stand redevelopment is currently scheduled to finish during 2013 and Kelly said the Glory was in talks with the government to bring forward the installation of the big screens.

And, in further good news for soccer fans, Kelly said Football Federation Australia had indicated A-League big screens would be able to show replays of contentious decisions from next season.

Previously, the screens have not shown replays of incidents that might cause controversy, much to the chagrin of spectators wanting a second look at the action.

The add-on to the nib Stadium upgrade was also welcomed by the ground's other major tenant, rugby union's Western Force.

"The addition of corporate areas was a key discussion point with the government and we're very pleased that they've responded in the way they have," RugbyWA chief executive Vern Reid said.

"Corporate amenities are vital to our ability to generate the kind of revenue necessary to make the Western Force a viable proposition in WA.

"At Subiaco (Oval) we had more than 200 corporate areas that we could sell and that went down to around 40 when we moved (to nib Stadium). The eastern stand will supplement the current corporate offerings and allow us the opportunity to grow our corporate base."

Perth's proposed new franchise in the National Rugby League competition would also be based at nib Stadium.

It's Victory at last on Kewell - Richard Hinds
August 20, 2011


THE saga over Harry Kewell's future should be settled today, with the Socceroos star set to announce he has signed a three-year deal with Melbourne Victory.

Kewell will sign with the former A-League champion under terms agreed with the club some time ago.

As well as his base salary, he will receive a percentage of any increases in revenue his performances for the club create through attendances and marketing.


However, Kewell will not receive any money from Football Federation Australia, which had offered a total of up to $500,000 over three years to compensate the Socceroo veteran for use of his image rights.

Kewell's management initially offered a proposal where Kewell would receive a share of increased revenue at ''away'' games, but negotiations stalled after FFA baulked at the deal.

FFA officials, fearful that Kewell might try to sign sponsorship and marketing deals with companies that are rivals to its existing sponsors, have been adamant that Kewell could not sign for Victory unless he signed the standard player contract, which would preclude such deals. Sources close to Kewell indicated last night that he would sign the requisite agreement.

FFA chief Ben Buckley yesterday said the rules would apply equally to any other high-profile Socceroo who wanted to finish his career in the A-League.

''There's no point in having a collective bargaining agreement, which sets out minimum standards, and then to negotiate around them on an individual basis, no matter who the player is. We would have the same approach for every player. It would be great to have Harry in the A-League and he would certainly help with the promotion and marketing, but the rules exist for everyone,'' Buckley said.

While Kewell has been eager to finalise the Victory deal, the disagreement with FFA has turned what should have been an instant good-news story for the still struggling A-League into a tense and protracted process.

Kewell's management has maintained that he could sign lucrative playing contracts in the Middle East or Europe worth well beyond what he will be paid in the A-League.

For its part, FFA, which faces enormous financial hurdles, insisted that it was unwilling to write Kewell an open cheque and set a precedent for other star players hoping to return to Australia.

Inevitably, Kewell has arranged his own commercial sponsorships outside the A-League to enhance his salary. Whether this will create conflict with the sponsors the A-League has been eager to protect remains to be seen.

With MICHAEL LYNCH

Now this is a big signing for Sydney FC. Don't think anyone saw this one coming...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/sky-blues-coup-return-to-roots-swayed-the-mild-rover-20110824-1jac5.html

May actually work out better for Sydney than Kewell for Melbourne. On the pitch anyway...

Lol jealous much you clowns. Yes Emerton is a good player but he is not in HK's league, he never was and he never will be.

Why do you think the negotiations with Kewell went on so long? It's because he was hanging out for offers from ANYWHERE else in the world. When none came he went back to the Victory. Let's see who plays more games for their respective clubs - my money's on Emerton.

Amaru's post is exactly why non-MV fans never vist MV.net. The Tardation just makes your brain hurt