3XY Radio Sports Sunday program had Mark Ivancic, President of Sydney United, one of the biggest clubs in NSW and one of the historic clubs of the old NSL League, on their program. They started off by asking Mark if Sydney United were interested in a national second division. Absolutely, answered Mark, simply. We’re a club with a long history and a history in competing at the top level and we’re not satisfied at the moment just competing at NPL level, with no possibilities of bigger and greater things.
The prospects of a national second division at Sydney United has everyone excited at the club including the fans and the board who all want to be part of it.
There is talk amongst clubs, officials and media that a national second division is a great idea but needs to be economically sustainable. Mark replied that if the financial model emulates the A-League then clubs will find this difficult to execute. However, as a club we will be able to meet those requirements. The step towards a second division is to include clubs with a history of previous involvement in the highest level of competition, who had survived and thrived.
Mark added that we just need to have a competition set up with the minimum standards put in place for these clubs. We don’t need salary caps we just need to be told who’s competing in the national competition.
Being a national competition, costs will be involved such as travelling and accommodation expenses, which have all been considered. Modelling has been done at all levels, FA included. These are all things that can be worked through, even without a major sponsor, we can make this work.
In order to make a salary cap work, you’ll need to have some contribution from broadcasting rights to fund those salary caps. A budget of $1.5 to $2 million per season, would be a reasonable amount to be in the competition. No expectations are put onto the clubs when it comes to the financial side. The clubs that participate need to have a criteria based submission, which would get assessed by FA.
Currently, Sydney United and other NPL clubs run a budget of about $1 million and provided the B-League doesn’t have the A-League financial constraints, example licensing, then this will be sustainable.
Facilities at Sydney United’s ground would meet all the criteria for the national second division, with a seating capacity of 10 to 12 thousand. NSW clubs are very supportive of a second division and the prospect of being involved. Benefits for the game and the club is that it will bring back supporters that have been alienated by the A-League.
