SANFL Wants $8 million for Adelaide Oval move

The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) is demanding a minimum of $8 million in additional annual stadium yield for the Adelaide Crows and Port Power to move to a redeveloped Adelaide Oval.

The $8 million would significantly lift the South Australian clubs off the bottom of the AFL rankings for stadium returns. The SANFL's teams at AAMI Stadium this season earning a league-low $6.2 million for Port Power while the Crows are ranked 15th with $8.7 million.

But by 2014, when elite football's comeback to Adelaide Oval is to be completed, an $8 million injection to the clubs' coffers would still not have the Crows and Power in the top echelon of stadium returns in the AFL.

However, as SANFL Chief Executive Leigh Whicker explains âthey will be in the league average."

In an address to the SANFLâs recent annual meeting Whicker explained how the body became caught in a "political storm" last year during which the SANFL was denied SA Government grants needed to redevelop AAMI Stadium and becoming compelling the league to consider returning, by 2014, a 40-year exile from Adelaide Oval.

The only specific new detail in Whicker's speech on what is required to bring Australian football and cricket back in partnership at Adelaide Oval was the $8 million increase in stadium yield being sought for the Crows and Power.

However, the Adelaide Crows, who in February declared that they needed at least an extra $7 million to justify a move to Adelaide Oval, say the stadium debate goes well beyond money.

Adelaide Crows Chief Executive Steven Trigg recently stated "it's not just about dollars," before briefings with the SANFL/South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) joint venture group known as the Stadium Management Authority (SMA).

Trigg explained "there is an implicit assumption the two clubs must get a better stadium return - to target the league average is not an unreasonable position to take. But it is not just a pure money issue."

The Crows are negotiating for club member with access to the 51,515 seats at AAMI Stadium to be guaranteed seats at the new Adelaide Oval with Trigg adding "that the quality of that seating, the cover provided to that seating, the access to the stadium, car parks and the corporate and membership packages must stack up as being better than those currently at AAMI Stadium.

"There are many factors we will assess in deciding if we are better off - not just dollars."

The South Australian Government have given SMA until 30th June to resolve these issues and complete negotiations.

Lower image: Adelaide's AAMI Stadium.

24th February 2010 - AAMI STADIUM HOLDS BACK SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CLUBS

3rd December 2009 - AFL TO MOVE TO REDEVELOPED 50,000-SEAT ADELAIDE OVAL

30th October 2009 - AFL CHIEF BACKS ADELAIDE CBD STADIUM

12th August 2009 - $350 MILLION UPGRADE PLANNED FOR ADELAIDE OVAL

3rd February 2009 - AUSTRALIA ENTERS RACE FOR FIFA WORLD CUP

22nd December 2008 - AAMI STADIUM UPGRADE TO PRESS ON DESPITE FUNDING CUT

20th February 2008 - NEW STADIUM FOR ADELAIDE?

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