Reading the new "A-League - The Inside Story" book got me thinking about all of the towns / cities that have missed out on the A-League expansion across Australia and New Zealand. So, being the idealist I am, I decided to put in my own 2-cents' worth here for anyone who has too much time on their hands... :)
A-League 2 - Could It Work?
Intriguing idea, something for local sides in Oz and ASB sides here to aspire to? Like the Central League then National League thing could have done. Mind you, I'd like to see the A League have another 4 teams - including 1 from Auckland, however in the real world it wont happen with the dickheads like Gallop ruining (Not a spelling mistake) the show. 18 Months after joining it, 32 mistakes later and now the A League being a viable, positive, move forward organisation is in tatters. Well done Gallop, great way to get the NRL crowds back.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines
I know there's a lot of talk about this in Australia, but it just doesn't stack up for me. Firstly, where would the money come from? The A League is losing ratings as it is, so I doubt anyone would pay a meaningful amount for a 2nd tier contest in smaller markets. Secondly, there are only 10 teams in the top tier as it is and it is getting repetitive to see the same teams playing each other all the time. If you are going to create new franchises then they should drop straight in to the A League proper. That way you can also stagger them in as the are ready rather then trying to bring 8 new teams into a comp in one go.
I personally think the A League's goal should be a 16 team comp so you could have home and away rounds for 30 rounds in total.
First the A-League should be expanded, then we can discuss having a second tier
I know there's a lot of talk about this in Australia, but it just doesn't stack up for me. Firstly, where would the money come from? The A League is losing ratings as it is, so I doubt anyone would pay a meaningful amount for a 2nd tier contest in smaller markets. Secondly, there are only 10 teams in the top tier as it is and it is getting repetitive to see the same teams playing each other all the time. If you are going to create new franchises then they should drop straight in to the A League proper. That way you can also stagger them in as the are ready rather then trying to bring 8 new teams into a comp in one go.
I personally think the A League's goal should be a 16 team comp so you could have home and away rounds for 30 rounds in total.
Basically all of this. The A-League is barely a functioning league right now. A 16 team competition has to be the goal and we are a long way from that.
I would say no. To many issues with the current A league