If its purely a financial decision then surely the money pit that is the Rebels gets the boot. The ARU and the private owners, thats 2 income sources, continue to throw good money after bad at this pipedream that Melbourne will become a Rugby state. The Storm have won premierships yet still struggle to crack a mention in Melbourne. Add in the competition for sports dollars and fans from an already saturated market and the Rebels will always be a minor player in this market. If the ARU continue to back this farcical pipedream then they have rocks in their heads.
The money saved by cutting the Force will soon disappear into the Melbourne money pit. Grassroots will be no better off as the money earmarked will be used to prop up the loss making Rebels. The Wallabies will be no better off as they have less competition for jerseys. The ARU will be no better off as disillusioned fans spend there money elsewhere. Fox sports who pay for the competition now have 2 bargaining chips to hurt the future negotiations with the ARU, being less content and the ARU ignoring what the broadcasters wanted. Another disillusioned party in the collateral damage of this situation. Kids will play other sports, its guaranteed. Listen to Hodgo after yesterday's game.
Adding the Rebels has been a disaster. Financialy it is cactus. It has diluted the playing stocks. 99% of Melbourne doesn't care they are there, it is AFL territory and always will be. The ARU know this, thats why they hastily put together the subsidies package for the new owner just to offload the thing. The owner is still losing money. The ARU is still throwing money at it.
Yet, it will most likely be the Force who go. After being self sustaining for most of its existance mind you. To get a fraction of the assistance Melbourne has received required us to sell the whole dam farm to the ARU. We have our academy and pathways sorted out. The Future Force is privately funded and has started to produce, we have been to 2 of the 3 NRC finals and even won it once. The WA government has invested $135 million in infrastructure support. They even sponsored the Force to guarantee financial viability. Or in laymans terms, met the criteria set by the ARU. The criteria that was always in place. Financial viability and tangible growth in playing stocks.
But now the goalposts have been shifted by the ARU. They are making secret backroom deals without the knowledge of some board members. They have chosen to hurt Rugby Union in Australia despite the ARUs own criteria to which they are held, to grow the game. We have been reduced to a laughing stock by our competitors who dictate to us with no resistance. Our governing body hides behind others when making "bold" decisions.
The ARU are a joke. They have driven rugby into the ground. They have damaged any chance of becoming a respected sport in places where others rule. Their strategic plan consists of building themselves a new bunker to hide in and sabotaging their own growth.
The game they play in heaven has now turned to hell. Thankyou "Australian Rugby Union". Thanks for nothing.