Canberra's A-league bid is still ready to go. So much so, it's believed they're holding discussions with the ACT government that includes a Canberra Stadium deal.
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The news comes as controversy continues to surround the two A-League teams Football Federation Australia picked ahead of Canberra, who they've assured is the next cab off the rank.
Macarthur FC, which doesn't join the A-League until next season, and Western United are reportedly both being sued by former employees, while Macarthur is said to be haggling over their $3.5 million A-League licence fee due next month.
The coronavirus pandemic has hit the world's economy and the shutdown of the A-League season just before this year's finals campaign has led to Fox Sports renegotiating their television broadcast deal.
Fox Sports currently pays $57 million per season, but it's believed they're looking to cut that back to as low as $10 million per campaign.
That would be a massive blow to a number of A-League clubs who are already struggling financially, including the Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle and Perth.
It's led to speculation the salary cap could be forced to drop by more than half from the current level of $3.3 million down to $1.5 milion per season.
Canberra bid leader Michael Caggiano said his bid still had the backing of their sponsors and investors, and were ready to go if called upon to join the A-League.
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The Canberra Times believes the Canberra bid team has been meeting with government and stadium officials, highlighting how advanced their proposal was, but Caggiano refused to comment.
It's also believed the government is looking at tourism stimulus packages to reinvigorate the ACT economy at the back end of this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
If crowds return to the A-League then that would fit in perfectly with those plans - games at Canberra Stadium bringing soccer fans to the capital.
About half of the $2.3 million AFL team GWS Giants receives from the government each season as part of their 10-year deal is for boosting tourism from Western Sydney - where there is also a passionate soccer community.
"We've always maintained we're ready to go," Caggiano told The Canberra Times.
"[We have] an available and football-ready stadium, real government support with real dollars, deep community engagement with the promise of real influence in a community based club, already interested sponsors, committed corporate partners, and valuable, educated investors.
"There's nothing more for us to do. We have nothing left to prove.
"We've worked harder on getting Canberra a team since the expansion process, even more so than during the expansion bidding.
"There are things that have to remain confidential, but just because we've remained quiet doesn't mean we've stopped working.
"Those close to the project know exactly where we're at and I think others would be surprised where we are. When the time is right everyone will know.
"Even though the global football market's conditions might be changing, our investors have stood firm - they're convinced of Canberra. Nothing's changed in that respect, we're ready to go."
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
