AFL Threaten to Stay at Subiaco
AFL and Colin Barnett Government in stand-off over Perth Stadium
June 20, 2015 9:22pm
ANTHONY DE CEGLIEPerthNow
Negotiations between the AFL and the Barnett Government over the new Perth Stadium have become so heated the code is threatening to stay at Subiaco Oval.
PerthNow and The Sunday Times can reveal tensions over how to run the facility are boiling over on a number of issues – including the AFL’s desire to raise money by selling the naming rights. The AFL is also trying to limit the number of non-football events held there during the season, like rugby matches or music concerts.
Another sticking point has been the cost of ongoing maintenance and refurbishments. It is understood the AFL is even questioning if spectators should be stopped from bringing their own food and drink to matches.
Football’s future at the stadium is being represented by the Joint Football Working Group, headed by AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.
Barnett Government insiders this week complained about the AFL having an “entitlement attitude”.
“They are being a pain in the arse,” one official said.
Another said it was “immature” of the AFL to threaten to play at Subiaco Oval instead of the $1.4 billion stadium at Burswood. He said the Government could respond by refusing to put on special trains to games at Subiaco.
The AFL and the Barnett Government did not deny they were at loggerheads when approached by The Sunday Times.
Could the Eagles and Dockers refuse to play at the new Perth Stadium.
An AFL spokesman said recent meetings in Perth had been focused on “the design of the stadium and the financial and commercial arrangements that comprise a long-term user agreement”. “The AFL doesn’t do its negotiations via third parties through the papers,” he said.
“We will politely decline to comment, but our goal is to get the best outcome for our fans, the game and our clubs.”
Acting Sports Minister Terry Redman said the state was “engaged in discussions with football about a range of issues to do with the new Perth Stadium”.
“It would be inappropriate for the State Government to comment on the status of the confidential negotiations that are currently progressing with any of the future users of the new Perth Stadium,” he said.
The Perth Stadium is expected to open in time for the start of the 2018 AFL season.
Premier Colin Barnett has previously said he was against selling the naming rights of the stadium.
Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/west...edium=Facebook
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I've been waiting for something like this to come up. Am surprised it took so long. The AFL want the stadium to themselves, with nobody else ever allowed to use it.
Also some of the comments on the perthnow facebook where I saw this article initially are hilarious. If anyone feels like stirring people up, you wouldn't need to try too hard.
