The Demons finished the season with $5 million debt; $3 million of which was bulldozed late in 2008 by supporters in a Debt Demolition campaign by the football club. The $3 million and $2 million solve Melbourne FC’s debt problem and put them on track for 2009. Melbourne, however, will have to cut costs in the long run to keep itself afloat. The Demons cannot rely on their supporters, MCC and AFL to bail them out at the end of every season. The problem is where you cut costs when you are at the bottom of the table, moving to a new home and trying to rebuild your club to its former glory. One would suspect that there are some tough decisions down the track for the Melbourne Football Club. Maybe they could sell off Aaron Davey’s mo for some extra cash (image of the mo).
Another thing that is keeping Melbourne afloat is the higher than expected membership numbers for this time of the year. Latest reports have the membership number above 15,000 and at the start of December the club was 4,000 members ahead of the same time last year.
Melbourne also has the problem of not having a major sponsor for 2009, which leaves them around half a million dollars out of pocket. It seems that the economic downturn has affected sponsors keenness to support the club. Other sports are suffering the same fate; Formula one lost manufacturer Honda and World Rally Championship lost the car maker Subaru. It seems as though a high risk, low return club like Melbourne is not the best choice in this climate. Melbourne have sent out propaganda asking members if they want to purchase the 2009 Jersey and it says ‘Sponsor’ on it in a no descript font. Not to mention that Jack Watt’s Jumper said ‘MFC 2008 National Draft Selection’ on the back and where the sponsor’s logo should be on the front (image of jumper). Surely by the end of the season Melbourne will have dropped their price significantly to get some two bit organisation to sponsor the Dees, my guess $100,000 from AMI Nasal Delivery Technology.
At least the club can represent the area they as in now; formerly in debt and now on the dole line. Or is the club more like an ailing bank or automaker asking for handouts from the government?
See Also
Demon Blog
Melbourne FC Article
Herald Sun Story
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5 comments:
haha @ nasal
The Saints should get sponsored by Medicare, although we have less of an issue these days.
And yay a new article.
ANI is a terrific suggestion! Nothing like it to keep their cash flow UP.
I thought that AMI would arose some of the viewers.
Would love to see the back of the jumper read "have problems finishing first?". I think that would be a great question to ask the reigning premiers, Hawthorn, in round 9. I can only dream of that 'problem' at the moment.
Nice blog on AFL
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