FFA rejected an application for a 10 year-licence extension from the Phoenix ownership group, Welnix, but failed to provide the club with any concrete reasoning for this decision. FFA have tabled only a four-year extension, seen by many as little more than a token gesture.
Welnix now have a decision of their own to make; do they carry on pouring money into a club that is now well and truly on their deathbed, or should they walk away from the league at the end of the current season or even sooner?
That is a choice that will be made soon with a whole host of factors to consider. It’s almost certain that the Phoenix will continue playing this season, but the future remains cloudier than a winter Wellington day.
So exactly why are the FFA pouring cold water on the idea of the ‘Nix staying in the league?
The central argument emanating from FFA headquarters is the lack of financial impetus Phoenix provide to the A-League. The licence they currently have to play in the competition may not double as a licence to print money, but the Phoenix are one of the most stable and well-run clubs around.
The future of the Phoenix►Fozz believes time may be up for Wellington Phoenix FC in the Hyundai A-League as talk of a third Sydney-based club continue. Do you think Phoneix should stay? If not, where's the best location for the next A-league club?Click 'Learn More' for the The World Game show On Demand, including the Joeys' latest win, A-League Round 3 action and the weekend's action across Europe. Posted by SBS The World Game on Sunday, October 25, 2015
Since the Welnix group took charge there have been precious few scandals coming out of Westpac Stadium. No situations like we saw at the now defunct Gold Coast United, nothing like what we have had recently at the Newcastle Jets or the ongoing problems at Brisbane Roar.
Paul Ifill, who played over a 100 games for the Phoenix from 2009 to 2013 is upset with FFA's decision. , Ifill said he believes this season will be very difficult for the playing group.
“I think it could have been handled better and I’m not happy with it at all, obviously as a former it’s different for me, but having been there and knowing what they go through, it’s going to be a tough situation for the players,” he said.
Ifill also expressed his confusion over the treatment of the Phoenix compared to other, less secure clubs.
“The FFA are very happy to put their hand in their pocket and prop up their clubs, the Newcastle Jets over the years, Adelaide, Central Coast, no problem," he said.
“But we’ve got the most stable club in the league, barring Melbourne Victory and maybe Sydney FC.”
That Wellington doesn’t bring a whole lot financially to the league is also not their own fault. They operate in a city with a population of 400,000. There is only so much commercial revenue they can generate in that sized catchment area but Welnix have done especially well to keep the club from losing money the way they were when they took ownership.
This issue of population also plays into the Phoenix’s crowd numbers. The ‘Nix had the second lowest average attendance during the 2014-2015 season, at 8,583 (excluding finals). As a percentage of population, the Phoenix’s crowds were above those of Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Of course there are many reasons why each club can or cannot attract fans to games but this, combined with a record number of members, shows the Phoenix are outperforming expectations. This is all the more impressive given that the fan experience at Westpac Stadium is negatively impacted by being so far from the pitch.
The other financial aspect of the Phoenix’s involvement in the A-League is television broadcast rights. The key issue is that the Pay TV viewing figures for Phoenix games don’t include those watching in New Zealand. Due to the fact that the viewing figures are split, the numbers are often deflated.
FFA have also made noises about the broadcast deal they have with SKY Sport New Zealand not being valuable enough. This is clearly not the fault of the Phoenix, who weren’t at the negotiating table. FFA signing a deal and then complaining the price is too low is ridiculous because they agreed to it.
When you consider that SKY Sport New Zealand broadcast all A-League games, will they even bother bidding for the rights without a New Zealand team in the competition? A market of up to 4.5 million people goes missing without a broadcast partner across the ditch.
Another argument against the Phoenix remaining in the A-League is that it should be an Australian league. This line of thinking ignores the fact that as part of Australia’s ground breaking move to the Asian Football Confederation, .
It’s also trotted out by those with a short memory, because the ‘Nix have given young Australian players as much of an opportunity as any club.
Blake Powell has been handed a chance and scored the winner against the Roar last weekend. Socceroos forward Nathan Burns reignited his career last season, as did Corey Gameiro after he was unable to break through at Fulham.
Though they may not be Australians, Marco Rojas, Kosta Barbarouses, Shane Smeltz, Roly Bonevacia and the aforementioned Ifill have all been brought into the A-League by the Phoenix and proceeded to light up the league.
That the FFA believe replacing a well-run, financially stable and passionately supported club with one likely to be situated in southern Sydney is a desperately worrying sign. The reasons the mooted southern Sydney club will struggle to stay afloat are long, various and will no doubt be discussed at another time, but the Phoenix shouldn’t have to pay the price because the FFA has a desire for as many derbies as possible.
