Nick Bendel
Putting your money where your mouth is
June 8th 2008 13:17
Football has always had to count its pennies more carefully than most, despite the creation of a glitzy showpiece, the A-League. Still, that hasn’t stopped Sydney FC from trying to establish itself as “the Manchester United of Australian football”. Backed by the millions of Frank Lowy, and governed (in part) by actor Anthony LaPaglia, the Sky Blues have attracted marquee names such as Dwight Yorke, Benito Carbone, John Aloisi, Pierre Littbarski, Juninho and Kazu, not to mention the geezer in the form-fitting tracksuit pants, Terry Butcher. Hence the moniker of ‘Bling FC’- even if the hype has been belied by inconsistent results, disappointing crowds and often lacklustre play.
That was why the announcement of Gold Coast United FC as the A-League’s ninth franchise was so interesting. If the words of its owner, billionaire Clive Palmer, are to be taken seriously, this is an organisation of such vaunted ambition as to make Sydney look unassuming, and the traditional business model of Australian clubs obsolete. Palmer has not limited himself to expressing the predictable aim of wanting “to have the best club in Australia”; he has also stated his intention to “win the A-League in year one and then the Asian Champions League.” While it isn’t clear how these lofty goals will be attained- notwithstanding vague references to “structure and funding” on the commercial side, along with “discipline and hunger” on the sporting side- we have been told how the footballers will be travelling to away games- in the billionaire’s three private jets!
The history of brash entrepreneurs joining forces with needy clubs is a chequered one. Typically, the man with the large chequebook guarantees excitement, success and- above all- altruism; yet so often it turns out that his focus is not so much enriching the club’s heritage as himself, not so much bringing glory to the fans as himself. Both parties may prosper while their interests remain aligned, but once the entrepreneur feels that he can drop the act and start placing his own interests ahead of the team’s, it should not surprise if his promises begin to look increasingly hollow.
Numerous examples can be given. After taking over the Sydney Swans in 1985, Geoffrey Edelsten seemed to have worked a miracle, as he delivered unprecedented glamour and success to the ugly ducklings of the competition. Yet when he relinquished control three years later, the Swans were on the verge of folding, thanks to what turned out to be an emphasis of style over substance. Another Sydney entity, the Kings, has also been led into deep trouble by a flamboyant owner. When Tim Johnston, the chairman of Firepower, took charge a couple of years ago, the Kings were the NBL’s premier brand. Yet he has just been forced to surrender the license, amidst claims that players and staff are owed money, and genuine fears that the team is in a terminal state.
To see the questionable influence that billionaires can have on football, one need only look at the English Premier League. Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich may have brought (or, more accurately, bought) stars and trophies to Chelsea, but there have been murmurs about his interference in team matters, as well as an alleged dwindling of interest in what some claim is nothing more than a plaything. Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have sparked a revival at Manchester City, but his management style and motives have also raised concern.
Nevertheless, there are examples of benefactors whose hearts have been in the right place. If not for the love, devotion- and cash- of avuncular dictator Con Constantine, it is unlikely that the Jets would be the A-League’s reigning champions. Indeed, it is uncertain if there would even be a team in Newcastle. One might also argue that the survival of a club in a rival code- the South Sydney Rabbitohs- is due to a pair of moneyed men, Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes à Court. And few would disagree that the recent growth of Australian football has been driven by the committed Lowy, one of the richest people in the country.
It is only reasonable, then, to cast watchful eyes on Clive Palmer. If he brings the money, expertise and passion that he has promised, he will be doing the Gold Coast and the round ball game a great favour. But if this is only an elaborate exercise in self-promotion- in other words, if all the private jets and grand talk are nothing more than a means of boosting his bottom line and his ego- he will not be serving the interests of Gold Coast United’s fans. After all, there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’.
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