Australian Rugby / RA

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels falls behind on tax bill, stadium fees

While the ATO is demanding its directors pay up, the club’s chairman, Paul Docherty, insists the team is financially viable.

www.afr.com

- ATO had issued penalty notices to the club’s board directors over failures to make payments in time.
- There were also unpaid bills to the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, with more than a million dollars in lease payments and hiring fees owed at one point.
- Privately, the club is blaming its inability to lock in firm payment plans on a lack of clarity from Rugby Australia about funding.
- One Rebels source familiar with the situation said the issue with the ATO was close to being resolved.

 

[Wilson]

Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels falls behind on tax bill, stadium fees

While the ATO is demanding its directors pay up, the club’s chairman, Paul Docherty, insists the team is financially viable.

www.afr.com

- ATO had issued penalty notices to the club’s board directors over failures to make payments in time.
- There were also unpaid bills to the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, with more than a million dollars in lease payments and hiring fees owed at one point.
- Privately, the club is blaming its inability to lock in firm payment plans on a lack of clarity from Rugby Australia about funding.
- One Rebels source familiar with the situation said the issue with the ATO was close to being resolved.

I expect this will see the Rebels follow the tahs into RA's arms shortly, particularly given there is no uptick of funding from RA next year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Melbourne as they hand it to RA: "yeah um, check the inbox. I think there's something from the ATO. Probs no biggie but thought I should let you know"

 

[Goosestep]

The analogy doesn't work and the NRL will never be what the NFL is.

They think they’re taking over America atm … oh dear lol

 

[hoggy]

I expect this will see the Rebels follow the tahs into RA's arms shortly, particularly given there is no uptick of funding from RA next year.

It does not solve anything though, you are simply shuffling debt around. In the end it has to be paid and RA are the ones paying. The problem is they don't have any money.
The whole structure of the game here is ultimately unsustainable.

 

[Ignoto]

Perhaps breaking the bank on Tupou was a silly idea, yeah?

 

[Tomthumb]

Perhaps breaking the bank on Tupou was a silly idea, yeah?

How much are they actually paying of his contract?

 

[Members Section]

Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels falls behind on tax bill, stadium fees

While the ATO is demanding its directors pay up, the club’s chairman, Paul Docherty, insists the team is financially viable.

www.afr.com

- ATO had issued penalty notices to the club’s board directors over failures to make payments in time.
- There were also unpaid bills to the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, with more than a million dollars in lease payments and hiring fees owed at one point.
- Privately, the club is blaming its inability to lock in firm payment plans on a lack of clarity from Rugby Australia about funding.
- One Rebels source familiar with the situation said the issue with the ATO was close to being resolved.

Hard part as well is there isn't a viable 10k ground option for rectangle sport in melb. Its 30k or a park

 

[LevitatingSocks]

They think they’re taking over America atm … oh dear lol

I don't see them capturing an audience beyond the hardcore punters who will be up at 4 AM taking 46 leg parlays on Sri Lankan hamster racing

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't see them capturing an audience beyond the hardcore punters who will be up at 4 AM taking 46 leg parlays on Sri Lankan hamster racing

I think the gambling market opportunity in the US is real though.

The NRL season goes through where there is no NFL and provides a fair amount of betting types. It's such a big market that it doesn't need a big following to be worthwhile to the NRL. Even if it just adds a revenue stream from US sports betting providers then it would be a positive for the NRL.

 

[Pfitzy]

I think the gambling market opportunity in the US is real though.

The NRL season goes through where there is no NFL and provides a fair amount of betting types. It's such a big market that it doesn't need a big following to be worthwhile to the NRL. Even if it just adds a revenue stream from US sports betting providers then it would be a positive for the NRL.

And for anyone with rights to streaming it. The attention span between tackles is a slightly different requirement but it is still contact sport.

 

[PhilClinton]

Yep and Americans are currently getting smashed with betting agencies and promotions since online sportsbook gambling has been legalised in a heap of states. The timing is pretty bang on for the NRL to capitalise on that.

 

[wamberal99]

They think they’re taking over America atm … oh dear lol

Something like this happens every few years. Last time it was China.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

And for anyone with rights to streaming it. The attention span between tackles is a slightly different requirement but it is still contact sport.

I think you gents are right about the gambling market, but it will be tough to cultivate genuine interest beyond sports betting. It's a combination of the awkward time zone difference putting most NRL games around 3 am EST and a crowded market. The NBA, NHL, MLB in addition to NFL are the traditional mainstays and European soccer has a very devoted audience. The confusion over rugby vs. league won't help.

If the NRL wants to truly make a run for that market they'll need to schedule more very early or very late games to allow east coast audiences to watch live (broadcasting in the US revolves around that part of the country since the west coast doesn't care for sport as much). Would slot in nicely to fill the June/July/August gap when most American leagues are in the off-season.

 

[Adam84]

Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels falls behind on tax bill, stadium fees

While the ATO is demanding its directors pay up, the club’s chairman, Paul Docherty, insists the team is financially viable.

www.afr.com

- ATO had issued penalty notices to the club’s board directors over failures to make payments in time.
- There were also unpaid bills to the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, with more than a million dollars in lease payments and hiring fees owed at one point.
- Privately, the club is blaming its inability to lock in firm payment plans on a lack of clarity from Rugby Australia about funding.
- One Rebels source familiar with the situation said the issue with the ATO was close to being resolved.

jeez this is morbid reading

 

[half]

How about Ray Price, Ken and Dick Thornett? IIRC all were current Wallabies when they moved across to League. In earlier times, Arthur Summons (I think was the current Wallaby captain) and Keith Holman. There are plenty of others.

Panic set in when Manly poached Matthew Ridge IMO, the then AB's full back, in 1990 I think.

AB's going to Australian league was a huge concern, and among other things lead to the Tri nations and Super Rugby, signed in 96, but many things lead to it, and the signing of key players was a large part of the reasoning and when NZ starting losing key AB's, it was no longer Shute Shield teams being raided.

 

[half]

Hard part as well is there isn't a viable 10k ground option for rectangle sport in melb. Its 30k or a park

There are i did a quick google search and there are a few, controlled by Football [3] and AFL[3] clubs, maybe the Rebels could approach the clubs that control them.

googled the grounds for the stats

Lakeside Stadium, capacity 12, 000 seating 7,400, controlled by the South Melbourne Football Club.

Knights Stadium, in Sunshine North, capacity 12, 000, 3500 seated, corporate facilities 250, controlled by the Melbourne Knight Football club

Princess Park, 13, 000 capacity mostly seating, corporate facilities, controlled by Carlton AFL club.

Windy Hill, 10, 000 capacity some seating, controlled by Essendon AFL club.

Casey Fields, some seating, AFL controlled.

Epping Stadium, 10,000 capacity some seating, good Hill, controlled by Whilltsea Zebras Football club.

 

[Goosestep]

I think you gents are right about the gambling market, but it will be tough to cultivate genuine interest beyond sports betting. It's a combination of the awkward time zone difference putting most NRL games around 3 am EST and a crowded market. The NBA, NHL, MLB in addition to NFL are the traditional mainstays and European soccer has a very devoted audience. The confusion over rugby vs. league won't help.

If the NRL wants to truly make a run for that market they'll need to schedule more very early or very late games to allow east coast audiences to watch live (broadcasting in the US revolves around that part of the country since the west coast doesn't care for sport as much). Would slot in nicely to fill the June/July/August gap when most American leagues are in the off-season.

US doesn’t give a damn about Australian sport.. if anything this might make MLR more lucrative amd 4 for sport betting

 

[half]

Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels falls behind on tax bill, stadium fees

While the ATO is demanding its directors pay up, the club’s chairman, Paul Docherty, insists the team is financially viable.

www.afr.com

As a practicing accountant i can tell you the ATO is very aggressively chasing unpaid PAYG, which directors are personally liable for.

Meaning if the club is not paying outstanding tax the directors are personally liable for, money must be very short.

 

[half]

I think you gents are right about the gambling market, but it will be tough to cultivate genuine interest beyond sports betting. It's a combination of the awkward time zone difference putting most NRL games around 3 am EST and a crowded market. The NBA, NHL, MLB in addition to NFL are the traditional mainstays and European soccer has a very devoted audience. The confusion over rugby vs. league won't help.

If the NRL wants to truly make a run for that market they'll need to schedule more very early or very late games to allow east coast audiences to watch live (broadcasting in the US revolves around that part of the country since the west coast doesn't care for sport as much). Would slot in nicely to fill the June/July/August gap when most American leagues are in the off-season.

On top of your post, the fastest growing game markets in the US, are E-games, R-games and the rise and rise of Mixed marshal arts.

R-games in particular are growing at a mega speed.