Yeah, i remember when this was "discussed" or more like shot down by ARU mole TWAS on GAGR. The only excuse ever given for why we spend so much more of a percentage of almost equal income on management is "scales of economy". Scales of economy would apply if we are comparing a $100 million company to a $500 million company but not when comparing companies of equal size, naturally a larger more established company would require less percentage of income to operate management. Why the ARU needs to be spending so much more on head office is anyones guess. Why the ARU needs a staff of 240 to run head office is anyones guess. How much are they going to spend decking out their new headquarters when they move is anyones guess. Why they cannot restructure administration to find any possible savings is anyones guess. Why they cannot centralise duplicated services and costs from the franchises and collaborate with the franchises on development is anyones guess. Where the extra $30 million in income they received last year from broadcasters went is anyones guess. Why they think they can save Australian rugby by running a year long campaign of reduction and destruction is anyones guess. How they managed to get themselves into 2 legal standoffs with 2 franchises is anyones guess. Why is it so difficult to obtain ARU financial reports and decipher them is anyones guess. Why proper development structures were not set up off the back of the 1999 RWC win to benefit rugby into the future and start to look at national expansion and growth is anyones guess. Ditto for 2003, a year before expansion was to occur. Ditto for 2007 and 2011. Why the ARU placed a half million dollar bet on the 2015 RWC final is anyones guess.
Lou, i know you're from Melbourne and i don't want this to become a Melbourne vs Perth thing. Im in support of Melbourne having a professional rugby program and being developed into a new pathway for more people to participate in rugby. Im also not sure how privy to some information you are but i have some genuine questions about the Rebels franchise.
Firstly, can the Rebels be stabilized financially? We know you guys have had some goings on around private ownership and needing ARU support, but can the Rebels finances be stabilized to shore up their position going forward?
Secondly, how is development of the Dewar Shield competition going?
Thirdly, with the Victorian government stepping in to to provide $2 million a year in assistance, how is that going stabilize the franchise financially? With the Rebels average financial losses being in the vicinity of $4.75 million a year, that still leaves a shortfall of $2.75 million a year. Is there a plan to cover this shortfall?
Fourthly, how can the Rebels win over wider Melbourne and build its membership base? With so much competition for participants from a crowded market, how will they grow their supporter base?
Like i said, these questions are from the viewpoint that all 5 franchises survive and we build towards a better future for Australian rugby.