Out of the box thinking - own the force err rebels

[Stone Cold]

I'm not sure if anyone else has posted something like this but...

If we make $5m from the own the force campaign and we subsequently lose the franchise we should use those funds to buy the Melbourne Rebels franchise (I seem to recall a buy-out figure of 4.5m being thrown around). We then move the franchise to Perth and rename it the Western Force...thoughts?

[The InnFORCEr]

Because we already existed when they made this franchise, I am guessing there would be restrictions on where it could be located, mainly to protect the Tahs, Reds n Bumbies. Possibly also only able to sell to a entity ratified by ARU, so they would get ultimate say.

Good idea, but I don't think it will work while the ARU still own Force either.

Plus the Prospectus was to buy The Force back, not buy the Rebels. ASIC issues then.

[blueandblack]

Pretty sure that's been posted around here somewhere a couple of times. I personally would prefer our team survived, but so long as there is a team in Perth that is owned by Perth...

[The InnFORCEr]

I just wish somebody that couldn't afford to buy the Force had bought the Force before ARU did and we would in the Rebels position now and we would be holding all the cards.

[fulvio sammut]

Care to rephrase that InnFORCEr?

Or explain what you mean, as I don't get your drift otherwise.

[The InnFORCEr]

Not really, they had somebody who couldn't afford to buy and run the team buy them and then put his had out for help to run them. We could have done that couldn't we?

[fulvio sammut]

Now I gotcha.

[Sheikh]

The prospectus says that although initial discussions have taken place with the ARU about buying back the operating licence, the ARU haven't stated that they will sell it back to us anyway, or indicated a price.

Call me cynical if you will, but if the Own The Force initiative raises $15m, there's nothing to stop the ARU saying that the licence will cost $16m to buy back.

[.X.]

ARU has to continue to contribute to the Rebels until 2020. I think- this was part of the private ownership deal

[BLR]

Call me cynical if you will, but if the Own The Force initiative raises $15m, there's nothing to stop the ARU saying that the licence will cost $16m to buy back.

Besides righteous fury, if they don't cut us but then refuse to sell us back our license from there, I am sure there will be trouble.

[The InnFORCEr]

ARU has to continue to contribute to the Rebels until 2020. I think- this was part of the private ownership deal

My understanding is that the last contribution payment is $2.5 million due this year, then they have had all the payments given to them.

[AndyS]

If we bought their license, we'd also buy their liabilities. Could cost a butt load more to undo all the agreements and actually shift the license. It is likely a poison pill.

[DaveM]

Rebels owner is losing a lot of money. Why would we possibly offer him 4.5M. ARU may try to block but they are getting increasingly isolated, try listening to:

https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones.../cameron-clyne