Titans seal new stadium deal. Will stay at Robina

[DIEHARD]

NRL, AFL and Super Rugby unite to fight soaring rents and levies from Stadiums Queensland
http://www.couriermail.com.au

STADIUMS Queensland has been accused of price gouging the state’s top sports clubs and their fans, with calls for board members to be sacked for imposing soaring rents and levies at major sporting venues.
Southeast Queensland’s NRL, AFL and Super Rugby clubs are so concerned about the fees that they are planning to join together to force a shake-up of the Government body, Stadiums Queensland, The Sunday Mail has learnt.

They claim they are paying rents and transport levies at Queensland stadiums that are between three and five times greater than other states, forcing some clubs to slash staff and penny pinch just to stay afloat.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane has called for the board to be sacked, describing the organisation as “a disgrace’’.
“They should be sacked and a body put in place that supports sport in this state,’’ he said.
It is understood Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is contemplating a major shake-up of the board and its structure, with a review underway.

Stadiums Queensland manages the state’s largest venues, including Suncorp Stadium, The Gabba, the 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville and Metricon Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
It is run by a board of directors, who report to Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni.

Confidential financial records obtained by The Sunday Mail reveal millions of sporting dollars are pouring into Government coffers through the Stadium Queensland deals.

While Queensland’s clubs all face different challenges, they are all stung by the Government levies on policing and transport that runs into the millions across the codes.

The $1.3 million hiring fee for Cbus Super Stadium was a reason the Gold Coast Titans hit financial woes.
The NRL has confirmed its Queensland based clubs had the most expensive rental and operating costs in the competition.

While ANZ Stadium offers sweetheart deals to Sydney clubs, the NRL was forced to save the Titans from bankruptcy in 2012 and last December sold the club to private owners after being crippled by the Government’s annual $1.3 million hiring fee.

“We are working with the stadiums in Queensland to bring venue hire agreements in line with the rest of the Australian market,” an NRL spokesman said.

The Titans have refused to sign a contract with Stadiums Queensland since 2016 because they could not achieve a fair deal and instead rent Cbus Stadium on a game by game basis for about a staggering $110,000 per game.

The situation for the Gold Coast Suns who lose millions every year is even more dire and with the Tasmanian Government circling, the club’s future on the glitter strip cannot be guaranteed.

Their stadium deal struck by then AFL chief operating officer and now CEO Gillon McLachlan, which runs for 20 years and has no review clause written in, is the worst in Australian sport.

They pay close to $1 million annually, which increases with inflation, into a sinking fund and must also spend $700,000 annually on maintenance of Metricon Stadium.

The Cowboys say they would refuse to sign any deal on their new stadium that included such a fee.

It costs about $4 million per year to operate Metricon Stadium and while the AFL is unlikely to pull out while the people behind the expansion such as McLachlan remain in charge, there are legitimate fears that as power changes hands the league will grow tired of pumping cash into an organisation that is handcuffed to an unsustainable commercial arrangement.

The Broncos have the best deal from the government with Suncorp Stadium, but are still stung with fees their southern counterparts aren’t charged.

Even the jewel-in-the-crown Broncos, who have by far the best arrangement with the Government, get slugged with well over $1 million in levies their interstate competitors escape.

The biggest AFL and NRL clubs in the country don’t pay a public transport levy and the standard contribution to the cost of policing and infrastructure is about $1.20 per ticket.

Free transport is not included. The Suns pay almost $8 a ticket.

Stadiums Queensland says taxpayers should not foot the bill for costs associated with hosting sporting events when the Government had made considerable investment in construction of the facilities. Levy prices were fixed by TransLink and Queensland Police.

“Under this model, the hirer receives the majority of game-day revenue such as ticketing, signage, sponsorship and this means in Queensland, unlike many other states, our clubs have a greater potential to derive revenue from their events,’’ a spokesman said.

The codes reject that view.

High fees at the Gabba is stopping the Brisbane Lions from turning a profit.

The Lions’ inability to post a profit stems from an annual rental at the Gabba of about $1 million a year and an additional $800,000 in transport and police costs.
The Reds and Roar face the biggest levies of the Brisbane-based clubs.

The Roar pay a levy on tickets scanned at the gate which means they only pay for fans who attend the matches.
The QRU is slugged on every ticket issued which means they still incur the levy, believed to be about $4, even when members don’t turn up.

“The QRU believes there should be equity around transport levies applied to Queensland professional sporting teams and that any levy should be applied against tickets scanned at the gate,’’ a spokesman said.

[Mr Bods]

Gold Coast Titans threaten to leave Cbus Super Stadium as Stadiums Queensland stoush worsens


THE Titans have sensationally threatened to abandon Cbus Super Stadium as the war between the state’s footy clubs and the Government over price-gouging looks set to spark widespread bloodletting at Stadiums Queensland

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has vowed heads will roll on the Stadiums Queensland board after a special investigation by The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail revealed our elite footy codes were being taxed to the point of bankruptcy.

STAYING: Green re-signs with Cowboys

BEAT: Why Green turned down Brisbane

It can be revealed the Government has already held clandestine meetings with senior business and sporting figures canvassing their interest in joining SQ.


Could the Titans abandon their home?
The Premier’s declaration was met by a chorus of support from NRL and AFL clubs and the QRU, who had been planning a joint submission to the Government demanding reform.

The spat between the Titans, Stadiums Queensland and sports minister Mick de Brenni turned ugly after SQ issued a provocative statement at the weekend suggesting the club had sought Government subsidies to stay afloat.

The Courier-Mail has learnt that in a tense round of high-level negotiations, the Titans issued the explosive threat to sell home games to other venues both within Queensland and interstate, leaving Cbus Super Stadium as a $160 million white elephant.

The Titans’ temporary rental agreement at Cbus expires after their next home game against the Sharks on April 28.


The recent matches in Toowoomba and Gladstone have opened the club’s eyes.
Titans officials got a taste of life away from the yoke of Stadiums Queensland when they went on the road to Toowoomba and Gladstone recently and were thrilled with the operational ease and commercial success of hosting those matches.

Sunshine Coast Stadium and Coffs Harbour are two other regional venues understood to be on the Titans’ radar.

It is understood powerful Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle entered the stoush on Monday, and by the close of business an uneasy truce had been struck with shell-shocked de Brenni.

But de Brenni remains under immense pressure to implement change after the Premier made clear her disapproval of the greedy operating Stadiums Queensland policy.

“We’re going to be having a really good look at that issue,’’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’ve been discussing that with Mick de Brenni and Kate Jones ... there will be a shake-up of the (SQ) board, that’s step No.1.


Could Cbus Super Stadium be without a tenant?
“And step No. 2, we will be doing a thorough review, because what we have seen is that the Queensland public want to come out and support our sports in this state.’’

Titans CEO Graham Annesley said his club welcomed the Premier’s position after a three-year stalemate in negotiations to secure a sustainable hiring arrangement with Stadiums Queensland that would at least compare to that of rivals in other states.

“Of course, we desperately want to play most of our future games at Cbus in front of our own members and supporters,” Annesley said.

“We remain ready to discuss a long-term deal with the Government that takes into consideration the specific issues associated with Cbus Stadium as a regional venue with significant transport and access difficulties.”

[Titanic]

If owning stadiums was a profitable business then people would be queuing-up for them but even running a local leagues club is a poisoned chalice. The government needs to look at this as an investment in the community and not a cash cow ... it's truly disgraceful and the consessionaries need to be pulled in to line.

[Mr Bods]

If owning stadiums was a profitable business then people would be queuing-up for them but even running a local leagues club is a poisoned chalice. The government needs to look at this as an investment in the community and not a cash cow ... it's truly disgraceful and the consessionaries need to be pulled in to line.

For sure...the events themselves at the stadium bring in enough of a positive economic impact already via tourism, people having entertainment and food in and around the event plus in sports case the promotion of healthy living.
The mindset needs to change from gouging the community to a not for profit model.

The medium and long term benefits of successful teams and full stadium will be far more beneficial than destroying sports teams for a few dollars in the short term.

[DIEHARD]

I'm all for sticking up for ourselves. But the QLD Government is ultimately responsible for Stadiums QLD and the only way we got games in the regions was through the QLD Government and their funding. But hopefully this shakes it up. GA was very passionate and forthcoming about this topic at last year's Members Forum.

But aside from Robina, where could we realistically play besides Lang Park? Which is also a Stadiums QLD venue.

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Suns admit they will not survive unless Stadium Queensland reduces fees
http://www.couriermail.com.au

AFL’s embattled Gold Coast Suns have admitted they will not survive unless the Queensland government slashes the exorbitant stadium fees that are crippling the state’s biggest sporting clubs.

The Suns’ stunning admission comes as the LNP launched an attack on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, claiming fans were being ripped off and labelling Labor’s treatment of AFL, NRL, A-League and rugby clubs as a “debacle”.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, the Gold Coast Titans are weighing-up their long-term tenancy at Robina due to Stadiums Queensland hiring fees which soared to $1.3 million last year.

The shockwaves have been felt by the Titans’ major competitor on the Gold Coast, with Suns chairman Tony Cochrane conceding for the first time that the cost of playing at Metricon Stadium could bankrupt the club.

A Sunday Mail and The Courier-Mailinvestigation revealed the Suns’ perilous financial position and Cochrane fears expensive SQ hiring fees could drive the final nail into the club’s coffin.

“Certainly we as a club take our responsibility to the community seriously and these (stadium) costs are a massive burden to our club which are not sustainable,” Cochrane said.

“The Gold Coast Suns welcomes the Premier’s initiative to find real solutions to this ongoing issue which is the heart of problems facing professional sport in Queensland.

“We are very pleased to hear the Premier announce a major shake-up of the SQ Board.”

The Courier-Mail can reveal Queensland attendances across the major football codes last year was 3.99 million.

In the LNP’s last full year in power in 2013-14, that figure was 4.46 million.

It means almost half-a-million fans have collectively deserted Queensland sporting outfits the Broncos, Titans, Cowboys, Lions, Suns, Reds and Roar in the past five years.

The clubs are particularly concerned at the rising cost of ticket prices because of the Queensland Government imposing a ticketing levy for game-day public transport services.

Incredibly, Suns research shows almost 50 per cent of their supporters are paying a levy on a government public-transport service they don’t use.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington fired a broadside at the Premier and Stadiums Queensland.

“The Premier and her Ministers are trying to dodge the blame for this debacle. Who are they kidding?” she said.

“What on Earth has the Sports Minister been discussing with Stadiums Queensland if not this (the hiring-fees issue)?

“The buck stops with Annastacia Palaszczuk and her Ministers.

“Queensland fans are paying more for tickets and clubs are being bled dry because of this Government’s negligence.

“Our stadiums are not fan-friendly and we are falling behind the other states.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to ensure these stadiums are run more efficiently or we risk losing our major teams and more major sporting fixtures.”

Palaszczuk on Monday vowed heads would roll on the Stadiums Queensland board.

“We’re going to be having a really good look at that issue,’’ Palaszczuk she said.

“I’ve been discussing that with Mick de Brenni and Kate Jones ... there will be a shake-up of the (SQ) board, that’s step No.1.

“And step No.2, we will be doing a thorough review, because what we have seen is that the Queensland public want to come out and support our sports in this state.’’

[Mr Bods]

^^^ right now the Premier is listening and both the Titans and Suns are on the same page. We have to get change now, this is a big opportunity for Sports on the GC.

[DIEHARD]

Weird to see the NSW Premier firing shots at the QLD Premier.

[Mr Bods]

Stadiums Queensland row: Gold Coast is the home of broken sporting franchises


Sports Minister’s brutal response to footy clubs
AFL chair: Stadiums Queensland is a ‘disgrace’
Palaszczuk has dropped the ball on footy
THE Gold Coast is a veritable bone yard of broken sporting franchises.

Bears, Giants, Cougars, Seagulls, Chargers and United have all been buried along the idyllic sandy stretch.

Weighed down by debt and left to sink by fickle fans whose only allegiance was to success, each team’s dreams of flourishing in Queensland’s second biggest city turned to ash.

In true Gold Coast style, some of these teams began with white-shoed sugar daddies.

Corporate crook Christopher Skase dropped $30 million playing the “Bad News Bears” out of Carrara Stadium.

Skase used to fly in on a helicopter for game day before he shot off to Spain and left an unpaid bill for the venue’s lights.

Clive Palmer went from football philanthropist to round ball pariah in just a few short years with Gold Coast United.

He wanted to cap crowds to avoid Government fees at Robina Stadium and the team was eventually kicked out of the A-League.

Yet the sports codes have all been willing to step over the corpses of others for a slice of the Gold Coast, convinced their product would bring the people and turn a profit.

The Suns (AFL) and Titans (NRL) are now making the same noises as other Gold Coast sporting teams in their death throes.

They’re both bemoaning the cost of the fees applied by the Government’s venue manager, Stadiums Queensland, while their results and crowds have been on a downward trajectory.


The Suns crowd at Metricon Stadium last year. Picture: Jerad Williams
The Suns say they signed a dud deal at Carrara, now known as Metricon Stadium, that costs them $1 million annually and a further $700,000 in maintenance.

The Titans haven’t signed a deal to play at Robina, now known as Cbus Stadium, since 2016 and say they’re better off paying $110,000 per game and taking matches elsewhere.

Cut the fees, they say, and we’ll survive and thrive.

Yet Stadiums Queensland isn’t a charity.

And taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to be donors to sporting failures.

SQ is far from the cash cow like critics have claimed.

It lost close to $30 million last year as venue hiring revenue shrunk by almost 30 per cent.

Profit is not the only goal when governments build stadiums, as the venues deliver broader economic and social dividends.

However, there needs to be a degree of fiscal discipline so they don’t suck cash away from causes more needy than professional sport.

Let’s not forget both the Suns and Titans started with promises which were much alike.

If taxpayers covered a fat proportion of their stadium costs the crowds would come and the bill would be repaid.


Steven Wardill, State Affairs Editor at The Courier-Mail.
And given the increasingly transactional nature of voters, these codes know politicians see sports stadiums as a way of attracting support.

The State Government tipped more than $70 million into Metricon’s upgrade for the Suns.

The Titans were only granted an NRL licence after the Government agreed to tip in $100 million for a rectangle stadium at Robina.

So it’s a bit rich to put a further pinch on the humble punter.

Sports Minister Mick De Brenni is right to say that the teams wouldn’t be whinging about fees if they were winning on the field.

“Ultimately each club is responsible for their own destiny,” he said this week.

“It is up to the clubs to develop a strong following through marketing … and on-field performances.”

Yet the clubs aren’t completely to blame.

Both Carrara and Robina are like islands by the beach with such poor transport links they’re near inaccessible for fans.

This planning flaw would have saved on upfront costs.

But there’s a long-term price at the ticket gate because getting to games is a logistical nightmare for families.

The Government has also failed to attract other tenants and events to the stadiums to spread the costs.

Three codes play out of Suncorp Stadium, for example, while Cbus has lost a soccer team and the Rugby Sevens tournament.

What’s occurring on the Gold Coast will repeat in Townsville if the Government doesn’t find alternative uses for the stadium being built for the North Queensland Cowboys.

Yet while de Brenni can blow hard about on-field performances being the cure-all for fixing each team’s finances, Labor can ill afford for more sporting carcasses to pile up on the coast.

They’ve tipped significant money into providing the Suns and the Titans with stadiums despite the record of sporting failures.

So it’s incumbent on them to make the investment pay off. And after the multi-billion dollar spending spree getting the Commonwealth Games to the coast, losing either of the permanent

sporting teams and being left with white elephant infrastructure would be a poor look.

Its long irked Labor that all the investment its governments have made on the coast has delivered little love from local electorates.

But Gold Coasters would turn on Labor, which finally got a seat back on the coast in 2017, if either team folded under their watch.

The Suns and Titans know this which is why they’ll probably get more taxpayer-funded gratuity in the way of fee relief.

However, the next time some rent-seeking sports boss walks into a minister’s office wearing white shoes and promising the world, government should consider running in the other direction.


^^^^ Courier Mail at it again: as I often say the difference between us and Brisbane is we just want to beat Brisbane in games of footy whereas they simply want us to not exist.

[Mexican titan]

I resent the fact that our taxes paid for these stadiums and yet the Government is sending our teams broke by the fees they charge.
However it's total bs to suggest that the Suns will go broke and leave. I think the AFL supported them to the tune of about $20m last year so what's a little more. However the Govt needs to play their part and if the fees in Qld are higher than other States then questions need to be asked.

[Mr Bods]

All members just received this from the club via email

Dear Mr Bods,

The wonderful success of the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast has demonstrated the value that high-profile sport delivers to the community through a variety of beneficial health and social impacts – not just outcomes on the sporting stage. Few could argue the inspiration provided by some of the best athletes in the world over the past few weeks has had a profound influence on motivating all segments of the community to unite together and participate.

The Government invested heavily in bringing the Games to the Gold Coast to derive the long-term economic and social benefits that will last long into the future by way of legacy. There is now a great opportunity for the momentum generated by the Games to be carried forward by local sporting codes and organisations that provide similar community inspiration and healthy lifestyle benefits on a constant basis.

The work the Gold Coast Titans undertake in the local community delivers invaluable benefits and social impacts that would otherwise be the responsibility of government agencies. The Titans undertake this work at our own cost as good corporate citizens because we see the difference it makes in the lives of people every day. The community initiatives that the Titans support are across multiple important areas including education, indigenous programs, and grass roots development.

It is in this context the Titans would like to publicly address a number of inaccuracies and false assertions currently circulating with regards to hiring arrangements at Cbus Super stadium.

At the outset it is important to note that this club, its owners, and its management enjoy an excellent working relationship with the Queensland Government, and we have always been very cognisant of the government’s responsibility to prudently manage taxpayers funds.

As such, the Titans have never sought government assistance to underwrite the operating costs of our business as has been insinuated. Our only objective throughout discussions with government stretching over the past 3½ years, has been to reach a long-term agreement on fair commercial terms similar to those in place for NRL clubs hiring government owned venues in other states.

The difference between government charges currently imposed on the Titans and those in place for very similar facilities in NSW is approaching $500k per annum. The inevitable consequence of this type of inequality is that further upward pressure is placed on ticket prices for our loyal members and fans who are also taxpayers contributing to the government for the provision of sporting facilities and other essential infrastructure.

The Sports Minister's reported public comments are disappointing and are indifferent to the value and contribution of sport to local communities and the overall fabric of society. The inference that only winning clubs have a right to survive goes against every accepted national trait we try to instil in young Australians encouraging participation, sportsmanship, and continuously striving to improve regardless of results.

The Gold Coast Titans currently run the lowest cost and most efficient operation in the NRL competition, yet the club still operates at a loss. A large component of that loss is the difference between the stadium charges imposed on the Titans and the charges imposed on other interstate clubs. Having recently transitioned from NRL ownership, the structure of the clubs' new private ownership strictly requires any operating surplus to be reinvested in the club, the community, and the further development of the game in our region.

The Titans seek no recognition or benefit from government for meeting our social responsibilities in the spirit of carrying on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games. We simply seek fair commercial hiring terms for our stadium comparable to government owned venues in other states.

[Mr Bods]

Gold Coast Suns and Titans fire back at Sports Minister Mick de Brenni


Complaints sound like clubs on death row
Titans could abandon Cbus Super Stadium
AFL chair: Stadiums Queensland is a ‘disgrace’
Palaszczuk has dropped the ball on footy
GOLD Coast’s footy clubs have united to slam Labor minister Mick de Brenni’s un-Australian attitude to sport and accuse him of peddling falsehoods about Stadiums Queensland deals.

The city’s NRL and AFL clubs united after sports minister de Brenni issued a public smackdown of the Titans and Suns claiming their financial woes were the result of poor on-field performances.

The Titans say they pay about $500,000 more a year in government fees than their NSW rivals while the Suns insist they have made repeat proposals for a better deal for Metricon Stadium that incur “zero costs to Government”.


Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane was outraged by Sports Minister Mick de Brenni’s comments. Picture: Jerad Williams
Both clubs say Mr de Brenni is wildly out of touch with Australian values around sporting participation and his comments were an attack on the Gold Coast community.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said Mr de Brenni’s comments were “harmful and disrespectful to the Suns and our community”.

In a statement to members, the Titans attempt to address “a number of inaccuracies and false assertations” in regard to the hiring arrangements at Cbus Stadium made by Mr de Brenni.

The club claims it is the most efficient operation in the NRL competition but still operates at a loss because of unfair stadium deals.

“The Titans have never sought government assistance to underwrite the operating costs of our business as has been insinuated,” the statement said.

“Our only objective throughout discussions with government, stretching over the past 3½ years, has been to reach a long-term agreement on fair commercial terms similar to those in place for NRL clubs hiring government owned venues in other states. The difference between government charges currently imposed on the Titans and those in place for very similar facilities in NSW is approaching $500k per annum.

“The inference that only winning clubs have a right to survive goes against every accepted national trait we try to instil in young Australians,” the Titans said.

Insiders from across Queensland’s sporting landscape told The Courier-Mail de Brenni’s stunning claim that “Clubs with a winning formula can make a strong profit utilising our stadiums’’ were a nonsense that ignored the financial woes A League club Queensland Roar battled through a period of dominance when they won three championships in four years.

It also angered the Titans who believed a Government that only valued winning was out of step with Australian values.


Sports Minister Mick de Brenni is under fire after his comments in The Courier-Mail. Picture: AAP/Darren England
“The inference that only winning clubs have a right to survive goes against every accepted national trait we try to instil in young Australians encouraging participation, sportsmanship, and continuously striving to improve regardless of results,” the Titans said.

The Titans and Suns say they happily provide community services that should be the responsibilities of Governments which save taxpayers millions.

“The Titans undertake this work at our own cost as good corporate citizens because we see the difference it makes in the lives of people every day. The community initiatives that The Titans support are across multiple important areas including education, indigenous programs, and grassroots development.’’

Our community values sport, this was on show for everyone to see during the Commonwealth Games and highlights these comments are at odds with how this community feels about sport, and its contribution to our Australian way of life.

^^^ this article written by Badel and the Bris Lions Cheerleader Andrew Hamilton. Suns/Titans have united on this and this is massive to us having long term sporting teams on the GC, even beyond the Suns and Titans to maybe an A-League or Big Bash Licence too.
I encourage all readers to please take a minute to write an email to your local State Member of Parliament to support our clubs. We have to win this battle.

[DIEHARD]

I encourage all readers to please take a minute to write an email to your local State Member of Parliament to support our clubs. We have to win this battle.

Maybe time for another campaign.

Gee Mick de Brenni is a numbskull, those comments are outrageous and out of touch. Really pissed off about them. Wholeheartedly agree with how the Titans hit back.

[Mr Bods]

At this point DieHard it appears only you, me , Titanic and MT are showing interest. To me this issue is way more important than our squad or onfield results.
We need to see people giving a toss before firing up a petition or something.

[Mexican titan]

At this point DieHard it appears only you, me , Titanic and MT are showing interest. To me this issue is way more important than our squad or onfield results.
We need to see people giving a toss before firing up a petition or something.

I think it's a massive issue and the Govt need to be hammered over it.
My prediction is that Beattie will cruise in on his white horse, speak to his Labour mates, get the rental reduced, and then be presented as a hero. That's an easy quick win for him.

[DIEHARD]

I think it's a massive issue and the Govt need to be hammered over it.
My prediction is that Beattie will cruise in on his white horse, speak to his Labour mates, get the rental reduced, and then be presented as a hero. That's an easy quick win for him.

Very possible!

[DIEHARD]

Furious Titans talking tough

http://www.titansupporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20.1.jpg

FED up Titans chief executive Graham Annesley says the ongoing stadium saga is threatening the NRL club’s future but has vowed to do everything possible to not take matches away from the Gold Coast.

AFL’s Suns and NRL’s Titans last night offered a frank riposte to Sports Minister Mick de Brenni over claims a lack of on-field success – not exorbitant stadium fees – is behind the franchises’ fiscal concerns.

The ongoing stadium saga led to suggestions that the Titans could take home games to regional areas such as the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba in a bid to avoid excessive Cbus Super Stadium hire costs.

Annesley moved to assure supporters he would do everything possible to keep the Titans in front of local fans.
“Cbus is our home ground – that’s where we want to play our home games, that’s where our fans want to see us play,” he told the Bulletin last night.

“We’re going to do everything we can to try to reach an agreement with the government that allows that to happen and allows that to happen at commercial rates that are reasonable and fair.”

The NRL club have been operating on game-by-game deals with Stadiums Queensland for the past three years, with a long-term agreement unable to be reached.

Annesley said that must change as the Titans strive to shore up their place in the city and in the game itself to avoid following the mass of Glitter Strip sporting teams that have previously collapsed.

“We have seen countless Gold Coast sporting franchises fail in the past and we’re determined that that’s not going to happen with the Titans but it (the stadium saga) is obviously a major cost impact on our sustainability,” he said.

“We’re not looking for a handout from anybody. We just simply want to pay what we believe to be commercial rates to hire the stadium.

“We’re as anxious as anyone to try to lock away something long-term so we’re not dealing with this on a constant basis but we can only enter into an agreement that we believe is fair and reasonable.”

In a statement released last night, the Titans declared the club were being ripped off to the tune of nearly $500,000 a year compared to rivals using comparable facilities in NSW.

They also denied they were at an advantage due to Stadiums Queensland’s upfront rates model, noting their only game-day income is sourced from memberships plus corporate and ticket sales – with no profit made from areas such as catering.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Stadium meeting on cards
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au

A MEETING is on the cards between Sports Gold Coast and the Burleigh Bears as Pizzey Park’s chances of becoming the city’s first boutique stadium rise.

Bears boss Damian Driscoll yesterday unveiled plans in the pipeline to turn their home field into a stadium capable of seating up to 8000 people.

That could marry up nicely with SGC’s vision to promptly deliver a medium-tier facility for sporting events that fall between elite and grassroots levels.

SGC chairman Geoff Smith welcomed the idea of developing Pizzey Park.

“We were aware that they wanted expansion,” he said.

“We need to have a conversation but the only negative with that is they have got a licensed club there so they build a stadium and (soccer) would be a tenant there.”

Smith said a revenue sharing model would have to be devised.

“If the soccer games are pulling 7000 people and the rugby league games are only pulling 3000 and they are getting all of the revenue … there is all of those issues,” he said.

Driscoll agreed a commercial agreement “would make sense”.

“Our vision was, going back, it was pretty obvious that there is no other facility outside Cbus and Metricon,” he said.

“Ideally you would have a 10,000-seater like Redcliffe but to us, you might be able to get some rugby union games played down here whether it be trials for Super Rugby or NRL trials.”

He added the importance of their plan featuring a mix of grandstands and grassy areas that remain ever-popular with families.

[Titanic]

Yadda, yadda ... as much as I agree withe reduction of the rental agreement to come into line with other states, we are only talking 500k ... how about improving marketing and membership drives? Everything from game day entertainment to website design is just very mediocre.

[DIEHARD]

I find the clubs emails to members lazy full of images and not text and the images are templates probably created pre-season or at least before 5pm Friday afternoon.

[Dobes]

Anyone able to get the CM article about CBUS stadium posted about a day or two ago?

[JunctionBlock]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/titans/gold-coast-titans-seek-discount-on-cbus-super-stadium-deal-to-keep-ground-as-home-venue/news-story/99686ae36ed3d4edc689d267273430cb

Gold Coast Titans seek discount on Cbus Super Stadium deal to keep ground as home venue
TRAVIS MEYN, The Courier-Mail
April 26, 2018 5:50pm
Subscriber only
THE Titans are chasing a $40,000 stadium discount in the hope of avoiding homelessness beyond Friday night.

The Gold Coast’s controversial contract to rent Cbus Super Stadium expires after Friday’s NRL clash against Cronulla.

The Queensland Government announced a review into its stadium operations on Sunday, but that is not expected to be completed until late in the year.

The Titans currently fork out about $1.3 million a year – at around $110,000 per game – to rent the 27,500-seat stadium at Robina.

The Titans are seeking a discount on their deal to play at Cbus Super Stadium. Picture: Jerad Williams
The deal is worth nearly $500,000-a-year more than Newcastle’s arrangement to hire McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Titans privately believe Newcastle is a similar comparison and are hopeful of securing a long-term arrangement that will reduce their hiring costs by about $40,000-a-game.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the stadium drama, Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle said the club needed certainty.

“We are working with the Queensland Government to resolve the stadium issues,” she said.

“We are confident we will reach a resolution.

“We welcome the review for a long-term solution, however we still require an immediate short-term solution.”


Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle is working to resolve the stadium issue.
After the Cronulla clash, the Titans have three weeks to nut out a new short-term deal with Stadiums Queensland before their next home game against Newcastle on May 19.

Given the lengthy review, a long-term arrangement is unlikely to be struck before season’s end.

The Titans have been signing two and three-game deals as they continue to push for a better deal.

The Gold Coast had a home attendance average of 13,688 last year, the ninth best figure in the NRL.

However their stadium hiring fees are among the highest in the game, although they have dropped significantly from the $220,000-a-game the club paid before it crumbled in 2015 and was taken over by the NRL.

With Frizelle and husband Brett along with Darryl and Jo Kelly assuming ownership of the club, the Titans are chasing a better deal to ensure they can invest into their football department instead of losing heavily on stadium costs.


The Titans pay a hefty fee to hire the stadium.
The Titans only stand to make a profit from two games a year when they host the popular Broncos and Warriors.

Titans CEO Graham Annesley said the club was in discussions with government to ensure they could strike a new deal before the Knights game.

“We’re continuing to negotiate with the government,” he said.

“We’re hopeful of an outcome that will allow us to enter into a long-term agreement rather than these short-term agreements we’ve been entering into for the last three-and-a-half years.”

In 2015, the Titans threatened to take a home game against Brisbane to ANZ Stadium, only to reach an agreement a few days before the match.

[DIEHARD]

In 2015, the Titans threatened to take a home game against Brisbane to ANZ Stadium, only to reach an agreement a few days before the match.

QE2? God no. It was terrible in the 90s and early 00s, can't even imagine what it'd be like now. But I guess it is a bargaining chip.

But the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) is still a Stadiums QLD venue.

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans almost forced to transfer NRL home game interstate to save money

THE ugly spat between cash-strapped football clubs and Stadiums Queensland has deepened, with revelations the Gold Coast Titans were last week on the verge of transferring a home game interstate in an attempt to save money.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Titans executives were prepared to move next week’s clash against Newcastle away from Cbus Super Stadium because they believed it would save them $50,000.

It is understood a last-minute intervention from the State Government was all that stopped the sensational walkout, which would have sparked mass anger among fans expecting to attend the game on the Gold Coast.

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni refused to discuss any deals, saying they are “commercial in confidence” but continued to say “as I have said before, my goal is to see more sport, more often here in Queensland”.

Despite Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last month promising a “shake up” of the Stadiums Queensland board, no action has been taken.

It is understood that moves are expected to be made in the near future, with Cabinet to sign off on any changes to the board.
“I will announce any details of appointments arising from my call for expressions of interest on 10 March of this year at an appropriate time,” Mr de Brenni said.

The Sunday Mail last month revealed the growing discontent among football clubs, particularly on the Gold Coast, regarding the hiring costs of State Government-owned stadiums.

Clubs claim they are paying rents and transport levies in Queensland that are between three and five times higher than other states.
Queensland operates on a different model to other states where venue hirers are entitled to take the lion’s share of ticketing, food and drink revenue because of a higher upfront cost.

Mr de Brenni yesterday travelled to Adelaide to inspect upgraded facilities at the Adelaide Oval after a tour of The Gabba with Brisbane Heat superstar Chris Lynn revealing the full extent of the rundown player facilities at the state’s premier oval stadium.

It comes as The Gabba was recently stripped of the traditional first Test Match of the summer in favour of Perth, which now boasts the new $1.6 billion Optus Stadium, opened in December.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au

[DIEHARD]

Brinkmanship or should we be really concerned?

[timor 2]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/titans/gold-coast-titans-consider-quitting-cbus-super-stadium-for-redcliffes-dolphin-stadium/news-story/891bb46360e15a6ff3c20d28715a4c93
Anyone a subscriber

[Mr Bods]

It’s gotta be done...have to show the QLD Gov we are serious

[ja4220]

Titans ready to walk out of Cbus
MAY 21, 2018
THE Titans have sounded out Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium as a potential home ground in the strongest sign yet the Gold Coast could quit Cbus Super Stadium.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Titans powerbrokers were spotted touring Dolphin Stadium on Monday to inspect the venue’s $15 million upgrade.

The Titans are yet to reach an agreement with Stadiums Queensland to play their next home match against South Sydney at Robina on June 8.

And the Gold Coast is seriously considering hosting its lucrative Round 17 derby against the Broncos at the boutique Redcliffe venue on July 8.

The Titans have been embroiled in a three-year stoush with the government over exorbitant hiring fees which sees the club pay about $110, 000 to play each home game.

Sources spotted Titans CEO Graham Annesley, executive chairman Dennis Watt and co-owner Darryl Kelly visiting the Intrust Super Cup club’s home ground on Monday.

Annesley confirmed the visit when contacted by The Courier-Mail.

“We’ve said all along that Cbus Stadium is our home ground and it is where we want to play,” Annesley said.

“But we have to keep all of our options open in case we can’t reach an agreement with the government to hire the stadium on reasonable commercial terms comparable to market rates for other interstate venues.

“We’ve had discussions with a number of potential alternative venues should it come to that and Dolphin Stadium is definitely a strong contender.

“It is about to complete a major upgrade that would see work completed to coincide with our scheduled home game against the Broncos.”

The spat between the Titans and Stadiums Queensland has threatened to turn ugly on numerous occasions.

In 2015, the Titans were hours away from transferring a Broncos derby to ANZ Stadium in Sydney after growing increasingly frustrated with hiring costs.

Now under private ownership, the Titans have reignited negotiations in the hope of securing a discount which would take their annual hiring fees down from $1.3 million to around $800, 000.

Hosting a match at the 10,000-seat capacity Dolphin Stadium would cost a fraction of the price to hire Cbus.

The Titans have been somewhat hamstrung given Cbus is the only genuinely suitable NRL venue on the Gold Coast, but Annesley implored fans to support the club’s quest for a better deal.

“(Dolphin Stadium) is only just over an hour from the Gold Coast by road and has ample parking for patrons, something that is sadly lacking at Cbus,” he said.

“If we are left with no option but to relocate, I’d appeal to our members and fans to get behind us and support our fight for a fairer hiring agreement at Cbus.

“It is aimed at ensuring we can inject more funds into our football department to make the club more competitive on the field.”

[Numbers]

As part of a strategy to get a better long term deal at Robina Stadium I would be OK with - though not happy about - the team playing any number of the remaining home games from this season elsewhere. However, I wouldn’t be supporting, let alone a member of, a "Gold Coast" club if its home ground is not on the Gold Coast.

[JunctionBlock]

Kind of weird to take our home game against the Broncos (which always draws a good crowd) to a smaller Brisbane stadium.

[shamus]

Kind of weird to take our home game against the Broncos (which always draws a good crowd) to a smaller Brisbane stadium.

Yeah, sorting of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Broncos always pull big numbers so possibly a rare game where Titans make a profit. You would think it would make sense to make it the week after against the less popular (fan base wise) Roosters.

[Titanic]

As part of a strategy to get a better long term deal at Robina Stadium I would be OK with - though not happy about - the team playing any number of the remaining home games from this season elsewhere. However, I wouldn’t be supporting, let alone a member of, a "Gold Coast" club if its home ground is not on the Gold Coast.This!

[Toads]

I offered up some local ideas some time back. But got laughed at for it, and here they are now looking at Redcliffe as a option. :doh:

Surely a temporary option could still be sorted, look who our primary sponsor is, surely they would be in the know who could supply temp grandstands, especially considering the recent Comm Games. I'm guessing someone is not trying hard enough to explore local options.

[rj62]

I’m guessing they are using any or all pressure they can to force change.
The government will have a white elephant unless they compromise, so until people stop swinging their dicks and use some common. sense, I can’t blame the club for putting the pressure on.

Redcliffe won’t see me there though.

Prefer to see our sponsors throw up some scaffolding at Pizzey Park, even temporarily. Be a lot cheaper than $110k per home game

[DIEHARD]

The idea of moving games so far away, especially a showpiece in the Broncos is dangerous. But it makes a statement. This is brinksmanship. But the stacks are high, our fragile membership base doesn't need such trauma.

The best thing we can do is start a campaign to hammer the State Government on this.

[DIEHARD]

I offered up some local ideas some time back. But got laughed at for it, and here they are now looking at Redcliffe as a option. :doh:

You were definitely ahead of the game in this thinking.


Prefer to see our sponsors throw up some scaffolding at Pizzey Park, even temporarily. Be a lot cheaper than $110k per home game

That'd be something all the locals can at least get behind. Roll your sleeves up type of material.

[Titanic]

I think the elephant in the room is the force to have another Brisbane team ... we all want a team on the Coast, the owners have committed to that and I'm not for one minute suggesting that this is on the table, however, if you were purely a business-motivated entity then the option to re-position the franchise in Brisbane would be tempting and Reddy would be attractive ... just saying.

[DIEHARD]

I think the elephant in the room is the force to have another Brisbane team ... we all want a team on the Coast, the owners have committed to that and I'm not for one minute suggesting that this is on the table, however, if you were purely a business-motivated entity then the option to re-position the franchise in Brisbane would be tempting and Reddy would be attractive ... just saying.

I guess like a South Queensland model?

The way I see it, and I am a Brisbane boy, the city already gets a taste with a double header involving the Storm, a Broncos away game and any big Finals matches. But we have never really dug in on this and developed a Brisbane fanbase, just watched it melt away.

My view is the Gold Coast needs the Titans and Brisbane is for new clubs. Yes I think we do eventually need a Northern club and a South/West club. Dolphins and Jets based perhaps.

[DIEHARD]

http://www.titansupporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/22.1.jpg

[DIEHARD]

http://www.titansupporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/22.2.png

[DIEHARD]

If the Dolphins have NRL dreams they'd be right behind this.

The new facilities aren't bad but the other parts of the "stadium" are still concrete and grass with plenty of green ants.

[DIEHARD]

We probably should have made this an issue during the last State Election, now the next one is Saturday 31 October 2020.

But the Gold Coast is an area that Labor want to grow their support in. And political parties do care about their current standing in statewide polling and seat polling.

[DIEHARD]

Graham Annesley - Stadium Update
https://www.titans.com.au/

CEO Graham Annesley has provided the following update in relation to the on-going stadium discussions.

Annesley is hopeful of a resolution in the near future but insists the club is looking for a reasonable commercial arrangement.

VIDEO LINK HERE (https://www.titans.com.au/news/2018/05/22/graham-annesley---stadium-update/)

[Mexican titan]

Dolphin Oval is not a realistic option, although I suppose as a one off to see if Stadiums Qld blink it might be worth it. I gather the club would have to refund members a portion of this years membership if they take a home game away as their commitment was for 10 home games this year. The price was discounted due to the two games taken away due to the Comm Games but there was no expectation any other games would be lost.
The Qld Government really should hang their heads in shame over this. Trying to rip off sporting teams who are trying to play at venues we all paid for is a disgrace.

[Mr Bods]

^^^ I’m trying to get some State Politicians to give a rats about it via email and I’m getting nothing.
When I have a crack at any of them about the M1 I often get a phone call soon after, but with this stadium issue they don’t seem that interested

[DIEHARD]

^^^ I’m trying to get some State Politicians to give a rats about it via email and I’m getting nothing.
When I have a crack at any of them about the M1 I often get a phone call soon after, but with this stadium issue they don’t seem that interested

We need to hit em up on Social Media too.

I'll post a page with all their details.

[DIEHARD]

Slowly populating it with info. Feel free to share info I can add and help.

http://www.titansupporters.com/keepthetitansingc/

[Mr Bods]

^^^ good one DH. I’ve emailed those people all a fair while ago and my local MP Jan Stuckey

[DIEHARD]

I'll add some more details later. But here is a heap of phone numbers, email addresses and twitter handles. http://www.titansupporters.com/keepthetitansingc/

[Titanic]

Awesome DH, thanks

[JunctionBlock]

Gold Coast Titans owners say Queensland Government is imposing its own salary cap on them
Gold Coast Bulletin
May 22, 2018 10:25pm
Subscriber only
GOLD Coast saviour Darryl Kelly has warned the Titans will miss out on the chance to sign a quality player and develop juniors if the club does not secure a $500,000 stadium discount.

The Titans have been feuding with Stadiums Queensland for more than three years over the exorbitant costs to hire the Robina venue.

The club pays $1.3 million annually – about $110,000 a game – to play at the 27,500-seat stadium.

The Bulletin yesterday revealed the Titans were considering shifting their Round 17 derby against the Broncos to Redcliffe’s Dolphin Stadium.

Kelly bought the club last year in partnership with former chair Rebecca Frizelle.

“Our aim has always been to stay at Cbus but we also aim to have a successful team on the Gold Coast and we can’t do it while we’re paying $500,000 a year more than what we should be paying,” Kelly said.

“That is robbing us of the chance to have another good footballer in our NRL squad, or money to expand our junior development programs.”

Frizelle said the Titans were dealing with a government-imposed salary cap via Stad*ium Queensland.

“Because of this deal, we are effectively playing one man down,” she said. “And that one man is an Australian representative player.

“Rather than tipping further funds into government revenue, it is our preference to invest this money in junior rugby league across the Gold Coast and northern NSW.

“We need to invest in our kids.

“The challenge we face is simple. If you rent a house and you know the landlord is charging you double what you should be paying, you leave or negotiate a different tenancy agreement.

“The Palaszczuk Government with its wholly owned Stadiums Queensland is the landlord in this case, and we are the only tenant.

“We and the NRL have tried repeatedly and shown independent research and facts to demonstrate that Stadiums Queensland is not charging market rent.

“This situation is unsustainable. The Titans are not being propped up by taxpayers’ money, the Titans are being funded by Gold Coast people and families who have worked hard to ensure Australia’s sixth largest city has its own club.”

Frizelle said the situation was a matter of principle as much as it is a cold hard balance sheet reality.

“If we are forced to leave CBus because of the crippling charges, the stadium will be an empty white elephant as nobody else can afford to play or perform there,” she said.

“We will have to weather the disappointment of our fans, members and corporates until we can reach agreement but we will at least be able to continue playing and investing in our club and our junior development – our sponsors understand this is the bottom line.”

“We hold out hope that we will be able to reach a long-term commercial agreement with Stadiums Queensland that will get us close to a level playing field with rival our NRL clubs”.

[Bayside Titan]

Those on Twitter can see that I have been hitting Peter Beatie up on Twitter re the deal as he was the Premier who approved the deal.

[DIEHARD]

I'm gonna make some graphics "What is the Queensland Government doing to solve this stadium crisis?" and then tag ten MPs in a image. And use #NRL and #qldpol hashtags.

[Mr Bods]

I'm gonna make some graphics "What is the Queensland Government doing to solve this stadium crisis?" and then tag ten MPs in a image. And use #NRL and #qldpol hashtags.

Unreal idea
Could it please not only have the obvious ones like Palaszciuk, Tradd, Jones, Di Brenni but also every state MP on the GC from both sides of politics.

[DIEHARD]

Unreal idea
Could it please not only have the obvious ones like Palaszciuk, Tradd, Jones, Di Brenni but also every state MP on the GC from both sides of politics.

Yea we can do one for the Opposition too.

You can make it really specific, like for GC MPs, we can use the Titans and Suns.

We can also put out some of the stats, like how much Queensland clubs pay compared to the NSW clubs.

With Origin time, it's the ideal time to harness those feelings.

[Mr Bods]

Drongoes fans in social media by the way are using the Redcliffe Story to say we should fold so they can once again have a monopoly
They are such scum

[DIEHARD]

Drongoes fans in social media by the way are using the Redcliffe Story to say we should fold so they can once again have a monopoly
They are such scum

The dumbasses don't realise that they might get a cut in rental costs too. But they aren't a fan-base that puts Rugby League 1st.

[Bayside Titan]

https://www.4bc.com.au/podcast/titans-moving-to-redcliffe/

Listen to Graham talk about this on 4BC.

[Mr Bods]

The dumbasses don't realise that they might get a cut in rental costs too. But they aren't a fan-base that puts Rugby League 1st.

Yeah yeah my wife pointed that out to me-Drongoes fans don’t care about growing the game or the sports health, the only thing that matters to them is A-winning and B-having a monopoly, she refers to them as Non Rugby League Fans.

Their crowds have dropped too in the last few years, they were getting over 40k regularly not so long ago and now they are in the 25k-35k range. I’ve been reading online a number of pensioners and people with family saying they simply can’t afford To go anymore.
So maybe some humility and support from The Drongoes Fans would be appropriate rather than their usual bloodthirsty hate to try and literally murder us off.

[DIEHARD]

So maybe some humility and support from The Drongoes Fans would be appropriate rather than their usual bloodthirsty hate to try and literally murder us off.

Agree, if they never conspired to murder the Gold Coast Chargers and South Queensland Crushers they'd have bigger crowds and memberships. And it'd have been more fun to be a fan. They need to stop being a monopoly in Brisbane.

I think there fanbase has taken a hit. Form based too. But the fact they keep playing on Friday nights must be hurting their fans who have to work and have families.

[Titanic]

An aging fan base, a decrepit coach and a mediocre roster have all conspired to make them look very ordinary.

[DIEHARD]

From Mayor Tom Tate


Not sure why but residents seems to be paying twice for our footy stadiums!

When the Titans were first being mooted in the city (even before the name Titans was settled on!) we needed a rectangle footy stadium to be built to support this new national team to get the license from the NRL. The key was that the then Labor State Government needed to foot the bill. What might not be known nor remembered too well is that Gold Coast ratepayers and local entertainment venue patrons footed the bill - not the State Government!

Let me explain...

The then Council of the day was asked by the State to supply the land for a new stadium but the Council didn't own a suitably large enough block of land so it had to use ratepayer funds of $20m to buy a block at Robina and gift it to the State Government - to Stadiums Queensland specifically. So ratepayers stumped up for the land for the new Robina league Stadium.

Then to build the new stadium the State Government had a gaming levy on hotels, clubs and other pokie venues on the Gold Coast to raise the funds to build the stadium. So it is the patrons of those hotels, clubs and other venues are the ones who paid for the 'build' by the State Government.

So after ratepayers and then entertainment venue patrons have stumped up for the cash to buy the land and build the stadium , footy goers still pay through the nose for tickets to games as well as overpriced meat pies and beers. A lot of the ticket price actually goes to the State Government’s “Stadiums Queensland” for venue hiring, the State Government’s Translink for the ‘free buses’ and to the State Government’s Queensland Police Service ‘Specials’ –police officers usually on overtime for “public safety” at the games.

So we Gold Coasters are effectively paying twice before we even walk through the gates to watch our team play their hardest for the pride of our City.

It’s just immoral to be slugging indirectly the Titans fans (and for that matter the Suns fans) some of the highest venue hiring fees nationally. Some other teams in the NRL down south pay a third of that hiring cost the Titans cop at Robina.

It makes it hard for the Titans to fund the best possible team and game time entertainment onto the field while keeping ticket prices reasonable for families.

On top of all this ratepayers are forced to pay the State Government for the water used by Stadiums Queensland at both our stadiums: the water which is supplied by…drum roll please…the State Government in bulk in the first place!

It costs the ratepayers around $200k a year at each stadium for the bulk water but the City doesn’t get to charge Stadiums Queensland for a single drop of retail water they use. This was all arranged by the ‘Exchange of Letters’ by the previous Mayor in what can only be described as a pretty lousy deal for ratepayers.

It is quite a contrast to the recent AFL deal done in Victoria where the State Government there has agreed to a half billion dollar deal with Etihad Stadium and the AFL that includes upgrades to that stadium as well as funding all sort of upgrades of suburban grounds, changing rooms with junior and female competition expansions.

I really do hope the Titans are not forced to move to another venue in Redlands or anywhere else outside of the City…but these State stadium charges are forcing their hand sadly. I think the problem is similar for the Suns at Carrara Stadium as well. Our City can’t lose our national teams to this Brisbane-centric bureaucracy.

The Titans are the only regular tenants at this venue. Now they are on a 'causal deal' as the charge that Stadiums Queensland want to do for a longer term deal is unsustainable financially for the Titans. There is no incentive for Stadiums Queensland to bring other events or festivals to better utilise this stadium and to share the annual running costs.

You might remember the GC United soccer team limited entry to 5000 fans at one time. The reason was that the stadium hire fee jumped up three times the cost if they let 5001 fans into watch!

The real madness is that if the Titan's go elsewhere, the stadium will stand empty, as testimony to the lunacy of Stadiums Queensland's financial approach to owning such stadiums and expecting Gold Coasters to continue to pay twice for the one seat at the footy.

[Mr Bods]

^^^ brilliant. It must be read and then used to educate the Lemmings

[Bayside Titan]

Just read that post on Toms FB page. It’s a real eye opener.

Also when you think about it the Titans have been given the rough end of the pineapple in terms of stadiums here on the GC. Metricon will be full of upgrades from the Games yet Cbus is untouched.

[Mr Bods]

Just read that post on Toms FB page. It’s a real eye opener.

Also when you think about it the Titans have been given the rough end of the pineapple in terms of stadiums here on the GC. Metricon will be full of upgrades from the Games yet Cbus is untouched.

I think the Suns are losing more money in their stadium deal than even we are. They need to step it up too and get more vocal.

[Toads]

Just read that post on Toms FB page. It’s a real eye opener.

Also when you think about it the Titans have been given the rough end of the pineapple in terms of stadiums here on the GC. Metricon will be full of upgrades from the Games yet Cbus is untouched.

Not to worry, Cowboys will get reamed a royal one once their Stadiums Queensland contract becomes active. Poor buggers are yet to regret what they wished for.

Good on Tom letting a few home truths made known. The whole thing was poorly handled since Bligh got involved.

[Bayside Titan]

I think the Suns are losing more money in their stadium deal than even we are. They need to step it up too and get more vocal.

Oh really mate. What makes you say that. I thought the Suns have a pretty sweet deal ??

[DIEHARD]

Oh really mate. What makes you say that. I thought the Suns have a pretty sweet deal ??

Graham Annesley strongly debunked that at last year's Members Forum. I was actually surprised. He said something along the lines of, the Suns would kill for the Titans deal.

[DIEHARD]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/SmartState1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SmartState1</a> we’re you not Premier of Qld who approved the funding for the Stadium? If so surely you can be of extreme help in helping the <a href="https://twitter.com/GCTitans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GCTitans</a> in achieving a amicable result to this ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/doyoustandwiththetitans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Et fw">#doyoustandwiththetitans</a> <a href="https://t.co/e3ShawlGPu">https://t.co/e3ShawlGPu</a></p>&mdash; Lee Dungey (@DungeyLee) <a href="https://twitter.com/DungeyLee/status/998716470380015616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" ch****t="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You are correct Lee, my government did approve the funding for Cbus Stadium. Ground broken in 2006. Of course I am keen to see the issue resolved ASAP but this is a matter for the Titans and Qld Govt. I am happily long gone from politics. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nrl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nrl</a> <a href="https://t.co/FiUJywz6D9">https://t.co/FiUJywz6D9</a></p>&mdash; Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SmartState1/status/998719813634551808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" ch****t="utf-8"></script>

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s spray over stadium fees hitting Gold Coast Titans fans

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has taken aim at the State Government over the ongoing stadium fees saga.
In a lengthy social media post, Cr Tate said Gold Coasters were paying too much to use Cbus Stadium at Robina and Metricon Stadium at Carrara.

The Titans have warned the club could fold if the high costs continue.

“It’s just immoral to be slugging indirectly the Titans fans (and for that matter the Suns fans) some of the highest venue hiring fees nationally. Some other teams in the NRL down south pay a third of that hiring cost the Titans cop at Robina,” he wrote.

“It makes it hard for the Titans to fund the best possible team and game time entertainment onto the field while keeping ticket prices reasonable for families.

“On top of all this ratepayers are forced to pay the State Government for the water used by Stadiums Queensland at both our stadiums: the water which is supplied by … drum roll please … the State Government in bulk in the first place.”

Cr Tate, a passionate sports fan, said he feared the issue would drive the Gold Coast Titans and Gold Coast Suns away from the city and warned such a move would leave the stadiums empty.

“I really do hope the Titans are not forced to move to another venue in Redlands or anywhere else outside of the City but these State stadium charges are forcing their hand sadly,” he said.

“I think the problem is similar for the Suns at Carrara Stadium as well. Our City can’t lose our national teams to this Brisbane-centric bureaucracy.

“The real madness is that if the Titan’s go elsewhere, the stadium will stand empty, as testimony to the lunacy of Stadiums Queensland’s financial approach to owning such stadiums and expecting Gold Coasters to continue to pay twice for the one seat at the footy.”

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/

[Mexican titan]

[QUOTE=DIEHARD;382881You are correct Lee, my government did approve the funding for Cbus Stadium. Ground broken in 2006. Of course I am keen to see the issue resolved ASAP but this is a matter for the Titans and Qld Govt. I am happily long gone from politics. [/QUOTE]

Teflon Pete strikes again. What's the point of him being NRL Chairman if he doesn't want to intervene in something like this.

I always laughed when they came up with that Smart State garbage and don't know why he still has that as his Twitter handle. That was at the time we were having power load shedding (blackouts). Pete reminds me of an old boss I had. Tell everyone how great things are time and time again and then eventually some start to believe it.

[shamus]

Well GCU are back and have lodged an Expression of Interest to be reinstated back into the (soon to be expanding) A-League. Their home ground to be CBus..

I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing regarding running costs for Titans to play there. Someone smarter than me can figure it out..

[Mr Bods]

Oh really mate. What makes you say that. I thought the Suns have a pretty sweet deal ??

They manage Carrara themselves in some way and pay the Govt a fee. The problem is they simply can’t put enough events on at Carrara to get anywhere near making a profit to meet the fee they are charged. So they are making a huge loss.
Plus they just want to run a footy club not waste resources managing a stadium as well.

I think that’s the general gist of it. They hate their predicament.

[DIEHARD]

They manage Carrara themselves in some way and pay the Govt a fee. The problem is they simply can’t put enough events on at Carrara to get anywhere near making a profit to meet the fee they are charged. So they are making a huge loss.
Plus they just want to run a footy club not waste resources managing a stadium as well.

I think that’s the general gist of it. They hate their predicament.

That's how I see it too. That is why they are trying to chase cricket to play there.

[Toads]

**** aye, seems the Suns/AFL have got to cough up $2Mil a year. Different contract like Diehard mentioned where they can host other events. But yeah, their **** fight makes ours seem a little sweeter, if $1.3Mil per year can come across that way.

TBH, in relation to what QS lease stadiums back to teams. They'll never recoup the money initially put into each stadium. It seems a crap deal for everyone all round.

[Titanic]

So then the debate is whether governments should invest in community infrastructure or turn a profit ... then you can argue that a professional sports club is a business and not a non-profit community project. Interesting to see how it rolls out ... the argument of parity with southern models seems a bit lame considering the different socio-economic demographics.

[JunctionBlock]

If the GCCC in conjunction with State government grants can put a few street lights in the middle of the highway that do nothing and nobody can tell they spell Gold Coast then surely they can cop a loss on stadiums.

[DIEHARD]

Some more game playing.

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate backs plan to build a boutique stadium for NRL, AFL and A-League
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au

MAYOR Tom Tate has backed a radical plan to build a boutique stadium closer to the coastline to free the Titans from the shackles of Stadium Queensland.

The Titans are exploring a long-term strategy to dump Cbus Stadium in favour of a smaller capacity arena located closer to the city’s coastline public transport and amenities.

It is understood the boutique stadium would include a grandstand with corporate suites and seating for up to 8000 spectators and a hill section covering the rest of the arena that would accommodate a further 7000.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has thrown his support behind the idea, calling the current lease costs for Cbus Stadium “ridiculous.”

“The Titans owners are applying a commercial mind to their problem. That’s what smart business people do,” Cr Tate said.

“I’d be more than willing to discuss with councillors the possibility of a boutique stadium rising from the ground, somewhere else in our city.

“It would need to be on a public transport route and would need the support of the people but we can make it happen.

“The ridiculous $1.3 million per annum lease costs for Cbus Stadium could be directed into paying interest on a $20 million loan to build the infrastructure needed to make this boutique stadium work.”

He said he would even go as far as turning off the water to Cbus if a deal wasn’t reached and the Titans moved on.

“Stadiums Queensland would then be left with no anchor tenant for Cbus, and they can spend their weeks mowing it and keeping it spic and span, until the cow’s come home.

“I will also turn the water off to Cbus as we currently gift the water to that stadium, free of charge.”

The idea of a smaller stadium has gathered momentum as talks over the dud Cbus deal have dragged on.

Stadiums Queensland is charging the Titans $110,000 per game, including GST, which is up to four times the price their Sydney club rivals pay their landlords.

The success of Titans matches in Toowoomba and Gladstone has convinced the club that a cut-down stadium model could be the best option for them to thrive on the Gold Coast.

It would also be an ideal home for any future A-League franchise and would deliver the city a more attractive venue for mid-size concerts of up 20,000 fans.

The Titans are hopeful of striking a fairer deal with Stadium Queensland after meeting with senior officials this week.

Titans CEO Graham Annesley the club was hopeful of signing a deal to stay at Cbus that would be financially viable — but he hasn’t ruled out pursuing a smaller stadium.

“Our objective all along has been to enter into a long-term agreement at Cbus Stadium,” Mr Annesley said. “It’s our home ground, the stadium was built for the Titans over a decade ago and our discussions with the Government are making progress and our objective is to enter into a multi-year agreement there.

“Those sort of projects (building a new stadium) obviously always take a number of years to bring into fruition and who knows what our situation will be in a few years time.

“A city like the Gold Coast requires a range of different-size facilities to cater for all sorts of events, whether it be rugby league, rugby union, soccer, concerts, to have another quality facility for a range of events in a smaller venue, would be a fantastic addition to the Gold Coast.

“Our objective is to be filling Cbus Stadium most times we play there, which is 27,500 people. We would love to be in a position where we are doing that, but smaller venues to cater for smaller events, there will always be a place for that.”

Mr Annesley thanked the Mayor for his support during the negotiations process.

“The Mayor has been a fantastic supporter of the club and campaigned for us to get a better deal at Cbus and we’re extremely grateful for the support he has given us publicly, which has helped our cause.”

[DIEHARD]

This is what Dolphin Stadium looks like, in a 3d tour. https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=MDeLDfWgh6q

[BundyTitan]

Interesting to note that CBUS Super Stadium has added the rest of our home games for 2018 so fingers crossed that an announcement isn't far off.

[Mexican titan]

Interesting to note that CBUS Super Stadium has added the rest of our home games for 2018 so fingers crossed that an announcement isn't far off.

There was an article in the Sunday Mail (a few pages in) that a deal was expected to be announced in the next few days. I would hope that means that all 4 sides of the stadium will be open but I doubt it. There are really no other options despite the brinkmanship that has been displayed. Regardless, the State Govt should hang their heads in shame over the way this has been played out. It is clear that the State Sport Minister is way out of his depth and Stadiums Qld executive should be sacked.

[DavidBouveng]

I wonder about all 4 sides being open as well, but while we aren't filling it it doesn't bother me too much if it saves our club 100k or whatever it is, and dispersing some crowd over there will make the eastern side look even more sp**** on tv

[BundyTitan]

Found it MT, fingers crossed a deal is made soon and a multi year contract is announced.


Gold Coast Titans poised to sign new deal to stay on Glitter Strip
MAY 27, 2018
THE Gold Coast stadium stoush could be over, with the Titans poised to ink a new long-term deal to remain on the Glitter Strip.

The Titans and AFL’s Suns have been crying foul over “extortionate” hiring fees to play at their State Government-controlled stadiums.

The Titans have looked at taking games to Redcliffe and the Suns to Southport in a bid to avoid financial ruin.

However, The Sunday Mail understands the Titans have agreed to terms with Stadiums Queensland to continue playing out of Cbus Stadium at Robina in a deal which will save the NRL club hundreds of thousands of dollars a year compared to their current hiring arrangement of more than $100,000 a game.

The agreement is being approved by lawyers with an official announcement expected within days.

The deal also paves the way for the Gold Coast Suns to follow suit with a new deal of their own at Carrara’s Metricon Stadium.

Both the Suns and Titans have conceded they cannot survive the astronomical venue operating costs, which are the worst in the country, and government levies that are gouging their fans.

The Titans have looked at taking games to Redcliffe and the Suns to Southport in a desperate bid to avoid financial ruin.

An independent economic impact audit commissioned by the AFL and obtained by The Sunday Mail — the Street Ryan Report — shows the Suns are the code’s leading drawcard for sporting tourism.

Last year 22,207 footy fans visited the Gold Coast to watch Suns games.

The report estimated AFL tourists pumped $27.9 million into the Gold Coast economy each year.

[Mexican titan]

I wonder about all 4 sides being open as well, but while we aren't filling it it doesn't bother me too much if it saves our club 100k or whatever it is, and dispersing some crowd over there will make the eastern side look even more sp**** on tv

Funny how spell check chops out your use of the word Spar5e because of the last four letters! It's a pain in the ****.
I am sort of used to the southern side being closed and when the game is on I don't give it a thought but it looks bad on tv and yet another sign to southerners of the nanny state government crap we cop up here. If ANZ can leave the entire bottom tier open for less than 10k then surely CBus can be fully open. The thing that annoys me is even when we hit 20k plus they drip feed the opening of bays on the south side which looks very amateurish. I guess the main thing first though is get the agreement signed.

[Mexican titan]

Received the email this morning about the deal being done with the Govt to remain at CBus. This paragraph puzzles me though:

"The club today confirmed a five-year agreement 'inclusive of options' that will see the club play a minimum of 10 home games at Cbus Super Stadium each year through until the end of 2022."

What does 'inclusive of options' mean. Does that mean, that we are committed for a lesser period than 5 years and options exist. Like a few players contracts where we were mislead into believing they were for a number of years but that ended up including options that may or may not be taken up.

[Bayside Titan]

Received the email this morning about the deal being done with the Govt to remain at CBus. This paragraph puzzles me though:

"The club today confirmed a five-year agreement 'inclusive of options' that will see the club play a minimum of 10 home games at Cbus Super Stadium each year through until the end of 2022."

What does 'inclusive of options' mean. Does that mean, that we are committed for a lesser period than 5 years and options exist. Like a few players contracts where we were mislead into believing they were for a number of years but that ended up including options that may or may not be taken up.

That’s the way I read it. We may get a follow up email to clear it up maybe.

Also maybe if the options are in the clubs favour it could be that the “ Boutique Stadium “ maybe something that is going to be built and the club may want to look at that option down the track.

[rj62]

New owners :thumbsup:
New coach :thumbsup:
Evolving roster :thumbsup:
Confirmed home ground :thumbsup:

#thrunthru

[Titanic]

Congrats to the Club ... awesome news.

[Mr Bods]

We Win....Well done.

[Boonarga]

We Win....Well done.

Did we? Haven’t seen what the agreed costs are yet. I suspect we still lose as there wasn’t really a viable alternative.

[rj62]

Did we? Haven’t seen what the agreed costs are yet. I suspect we still lose as there wasn’t really a viable alternative.

At the forum they admitted it was at the high end of commercial rates though substantially better than where we were at.

Of course it’s a win

[Mr Bods]

When the possibility of the moving of games was about the CM and it’s Drongoes Lemmings feasted on causing drama and now that it’s resolved it’s not reporting a thing
They are scum

[DIEHARD]

So seems our owners and leaders deserve a pat on the back. Good work, that was a big ticket item.

Obviously we are still being ripped off, but in a better position.

This option situation could create future leverage.

[DIEHARD]

Titans confirm Cbus Super Stadium as home
https://www.titans.com.au/

The TFH Gold Coast Titans are pleased to confirm an agreement has been reached with Stadiums Queensland for the club to remain at Cbus Super Stadium as its NRL Telstra Premiership home venue.

The club today confirmed a five-year agreement (inclusive of options) that will see the club play a minimum of 10 home games at Cbus Super Stadium each year through until the end of 2022.

The agreement follows a determined effort by both parties over recent weeks to resolve the matter once and for all, to provide certainty for our players, members, and commercial partners. Following recent public speculation, and a number of high-level meetings conducted with goodwill and an intent to find a resolution, both parties have compromised to get the deal done.

The Titans would like to thank Stadiums Queensland and Minister for Sport, Mick de Brenni MP, for the cooperation and resolve shown to put an end to the speculation surrounding the future of the club's tenure at Cbus Super Stadium.

CEO Graham Annesley is both pleased and relieved that an agreement has been reached.

"This has been an extremely complex and difficult matter to resolve, and even though I'm sure it's not an ideal outcome for either party, it's great to now be in a position to get on with our primary objective of improving the club both on and off the field without having to deal with constant speculation about the future of our stadium arrangements," Annesley said.

Head Coach Garth Brennan is happy the people of the Gold Coast will get to see their team in action at our traditional home venue.

"This is a win for the members and fans. Everyone involved in the negotiations on both sides should be commended for their tireless efforts in delivering the best possible outcome for the club, members and fans," Brennan said.

"We want Cbus Super Stadium to become a fortress that other clubs fear, and now that it's been confirmed as our long-term home, it's up to us to ensure it becomes just that through our performances every time we take the field," Brennan concluded.

The new agreement comes into effect immediately commencing with the Titans Round 14 game against the Rabbitohs.

[Mexican titan]

I still want to know what 'inclusive of options' means. It could mean we have a deal for two years and an option in Stadiums Qld's favour for the next three which means we go through all this crap again. I hope not, but the options we have had in players contracts didn't work well. Options are worthless unless they are in our favour.
As for the boutique stadium that will never happen and even if it did we would only use it for trials I'd hope. We need to set our sites on filling CBus like the old days.
Like everything else, most things will be solved by having a respected winning footy team and hopefully we are slowly, very slowly, working towards that.

[DIEHARD]

I just assume that there wouldn't be such a thing as an option in the favour of a venue and sounds like something the club smartly negotiated. But I agree, I'd like more detail and comment on this issue as it is noteworthy.

[Mr Bods]

I still want to know what 'inclusive of options' means. It could mean we have a deal for two years and an option in Stadiums Qld's favour for the next three which means we go through all this crap again. I hope not, but the options we have had in players contracts didn't work well. Options are worthless unless they are in our favour.
As for the boutique stadium that will never happen and even if it did we would only use it for trials I'd hope. We need to set our sites on filling CBus like the old days.
Like everything else, most things will be solved by having a respected winning footy team and hopefully we are slowly, very slowly, working towards that.

I can see a boutique stadium happening if we secure another A-League license.

[Titanic]

With a reasonable agreement CBus is now our home, so lets just get behind it and worry about other things. The reports are that the agreement terms are in our favour and the details will come to light in due course.

With an A League team playing out of there too then everybody wins and that's great. Ten games means that we will be on the road for some home games too which is also good.

[Mexican titan]

I can see a boutique stadium happening if we secure another A-League license.

See where you are coming from but other than our recent problems with Stadiums Qld there is no justification to build a smaller stadium. Even an A League side must have ambitions to get more people than a small stadium would hold. At the end of the day do we really think the State Govt would sit back and let a stadium get built that would be in opposition to CBus. I fell over laughing when Tate mentioned some figure of $20 million. Manly have $40 million for Brooky and haven't spent it because it gets you nothing. Even a small decent stadium would be near $100 million so no chance.

[DIEHARD]

Lots of other bid teams ahead of Gold Coast United surely.

[Mr Bods]

Lots of other bid teams ahead of Gold Coast United surely.

They have massive financial backing

[rj62]

Options may extend to catering - who knows

[DIEHARD]

They have massive financial backing

That's what they all say. So did the Bears. And the brand has a reputation for having tried and failed.

We got additional Sydney, Melbourne and even Brisbane teams trying to get in too. And Canberra as well.

I'd like to see them back. Well just as long as we don't have to endure any anti Rugby League bull**** from their fans.

[Bayside Titan]

I would think that The new Boutique stadium won’t cost taxpayers anything at all so it’s no issue re CBUS and a Private company to fund the build. It may also hold max 15k so it would be a perfect for most Titans games. Interesting times ahead guys b

[Mexican titan]

I would think that The new Boutique stadium won’t cost taxpayers anything at all so it’s no issue re CBUS and a Private company to fund the build. It may also hold max 15k so it would be a perfect for most Titans games. Interesting times ahead guys b

Why would any private company want to spend $100 million for a place that will be rarely used. People are dreaming if they think this will ever get off the ground.

- - - Updated - - -


They have massive financial backing

So they did when Palmer took over and we know how that ended. I personally wouldn't mind seeing them back as I used to attend a few games and would give me another option in NRL off season but it would be CBus or nowhere.

[DIEHARD]

Why boutique stadium should still go ahead on the Gold Coast
Ryan Keen, Gold Coast Bulletin / http://www.gcbulletin.com.au

GOLD Coast Titans co-owner and city business titan Rebecca Frizelle doesn’t believe the NRL club’s new stadium deal kills off the need for a new boutique venue.

Mrs Frizelle said a smaller 10,000 to 15,000-capacity stadium suitable for first-class sporting fixtures including A League soccer, rugby union and other codes plus big-name live concerts would be a perfect fit for the Gold Coast close to the beachfront and near light rail access.

Not only would it be highly accessible and allow for a more relaxed walk-up atmosphere easier for families to attend, it would be a superb driver of patronage for businesses nearby, Ms Frizelle said.

“There was an incredible atmosphere many of us experienced at the swimming and beach volleyball during the Commonwealth Games. We need to be recreating the atmosphere all year round.”

Asked if the Titans’ new five-year deal with options to keep using Cbus Super Stadium killed off the need for a new boutique venue, she said: “No, because at the moment the Gold Coast doesn’t offer anything to accommodate between 10,000 to 15,000.

“We don’t have that intermediate venue. We have very big stadiums or very small facilities,” she said.

“A smaller boutique stadium wouldn’t be able to accommodate all the Titans games anyway. “This is about creating a venue that can be used for all sorts of sports and entertainment but is also accessible and highlights the natural beauty of the Coast,” she said.

“It needs to be in an iconic location that will further promote the city when its stunning setting is featured on TV.”

Momentum for a new boutique stadium is building with cross-code support.

Cr Tate initially spoke out in favour of it during the Titans’ protracted negotiations to pin down a better Cbus Super Stadium deal with Stadiums Queensland. At the time, he described Cbus lease costs — understood to be $110,000 a pop and well above market rates paid by other NRL clubs — as “ridiculous”.

Locations remain unclear but Cr Tate has previously said he would earmark four potential spots.

Ms Frizelle said: “It would have to be in a location to drive better outcomes for business already in place. It has to be on the coastline near the light rail.

“We really don’t get the concerts we used to attract. They are going to Suncorp Stadium or they are going to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. But what are we attracting down here? Metricon had the Foo Fighters seven years ago.

“What’s happening now is the big acts are actually staying here on the Coast and going up to Brisbane to perform — then driving back to the Coast.”

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Knights to build 3000-seat stadium at Carrara’s Croatian Sports Centre
Brent O’Neill, Gold Coast Bulletin http://www.gcbulletin.com.au

THE Gold Coast Knights will build their own 3000-seat stadium at Carrara in a move that could solve a major headache for A-League hopefuls Gold Coast United.

In the latest development in the long-running stadium saga on the Coast, the Knights are in the process of creating a multistage plan to build a $1.5 million facility at their Croatian Sports Centre headquarters.

Construction will be staged in 800-seat increments each year, with the first lot expected to be complete by the end of the 2019 season — the club’s first in the statewide NPL competition.

With Gold Coast United on the lookout for a home to aid their A-League and W-League aspirations, Knights president Adrian Puljich believes his club’s bold stadium plan could give their soon-to-be NPL rivals a crucial boost.

“We want the Gold Coast Knights to become a club not only for the Knights and people of the Gold Coast Knights, but for the greater Gold Coast. Why shouldn’t Gold Coast United play from our venue?,” Puljich said.

“I’ve had discussions with Sports Gold Coast and Gold Coast United in relation to what we’re looking to achieve at Gold Coast Knights and we fully support what Gold Coast United are trying to do by going back into the A-League.

Gold Coast Knights players Teddy Watson and Andrew Barisic at Carrara’s Croatian Sports Centre. Picture: Mike Batterham

“I’m a believer in what’s going on with football on the Gold Coast. It is the highest junior participation sport and there really is an opportunity to capitalise on that.

“We’re in a very unique position whereby we own our land and for us the highest and best use for our type of club … is to provide a service to the local community and an outlet for local footballers that are aspiring to do more. At the moment, Gold Coast United are playing out the back of Robina (Cbus Stadium) on rugby fields and for me as a football lover and as a neutral, it’s something that we need to fix and quickly.

“You don’t have to go and build a Cbus Stadium or a Metricon-type set up, I don’t think the Gold Coast needs that. It needs a boutique stadium that’s almost no frills, that’s inviting for families.

“As soon as you start doing something spectacular, of course there’s a price tag because it costs money to maintain it, it costs money to service it and that’s where teams get caught out.”

Puljich said he would also approach Gold Coast City Council about funding assistance for the stadium, but said the Knights had the financial capacity to go it alone if need be.

United chairman Danny Maher recently told the Bulletin the club was determined to make use of Cbus Stadium should they succeed with their A-League bid, but said a boutique stadium could be home for their mooted W-League outfit.

“We want a boutique stadium, 100 per cent, particularly for W-League if the crowds are lower. It might be suitable for some A-League games too,” Maher said.

“We need that facility.”

[Mexican titan]

Why boutique stadium should still go ahead on the Gold Coast
Ryan Keen, Gold Coast Bulletin / http://www.gcbulletin.com.au

GOLD Coast Titans co-owner and city business titan Rebecca Frizelle doesn’t believe the NRL club’s new stadium deal kills off the need for a new boutique venue.

Mrs Frizelle said a smaller 10,000 to 15,000-capacity stadium suitable for first-class sporting fixtures including A League soccer, rugby union and other codes plus big-name live concerts would be a perfect fit for the Gold Coast close to the beachfront and near light rail access.

Not only would it be highly accessible and allow for a more relaxed walk-up atmosphere easier for families to attend, it would be a superb driver of patronage for businesses nearby, Ms Frizelle said.

“There was an incredible atmosphere many of us experienced at the swimming and beach volleyball during the Commonwealth Games. We need to be recreating the atmosphere all year round.”

Asked if the Titans’ new five-year deal with options to keep using Cbus Super Stadium killed off the need for a new boutique venue, she said: “No, because at the moment the Gold Coast doesn’t offer anything to accommodate between 10,000 to 15,000.

“We don’t have that intermediate venue. We have very big stadiums or very small facilities,” she said.

“A smaller boutique stadium wouldn’t be able to accommodate all the Titans games anyway. “This is about creating a venue that can be used for all sorts of sports and entertainment but is also accessible and highlights the natural beauty of the Coast,” she said.

“It needs to be in an iconic location that will further promote the city when its stunning setting is featured on TV.”

Momentum for a new boutique stadium is building with cross-code support.

Cr Tate initially spoke out in favour of it during the Titans’ protracted negotiations to pin down a better Cbus Super Stadium deal with Stadiums Queensland. At the time, he described Cbus lease costs — understood to be $110,000 a pop and well above market rates paid by other NRL clubs — as “ridiculous”.

Locations remain unclear but Cr Tate has previously said he would earmark four potential spots.

Ms Frizelle said: “It would have to be in a location to drive better outcomes for business already in place. It has to be on the coastline near the light rail.

“We really don’t get the concerts we used to attract. They are going to Suncorp Stadium or they are going to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. But what are we attracting down here? Metricon had the Foo Fighters seven years ago.

“What’s happening now is the big acts are actually staying here on the Coast and going up to Brisbane to perform — then driving back to the Coast.”

I'd say Rebecca supports the smaller stadium solely for the reason that it will put pressure on Stadiums Qld regarding rent. At a pinch the Titans could threaten to leave for quite a few games if they had a 15,000 seat option. Hardly a reason to justify building it though. I'd love a sporting venue in an area that had some atmosphere and places to go before and after, like Broady. But it will never happen.

[Titanic]

The Broady precinct would be great but how much available land is left for a sports ground?

[DIEHARD]

Jeered out of the Stadium
www.couriermail.com.au

THE Palaszczuk Government has sensationally replaced the board of Stadiums Queensland amid complaints the body is price gouging the state’s top football clubs.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk vowed that heads would roll after an investigation by The Sunday Mail exposed the financial burden that the Government body’s soaring rents and levies at major venues imposed on struggling sporting clubs.

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni yesterday confirmed the Government had moved to “refresh” the board in a shift he said would help modernise the operation.

He said the Government had hand-picked a new mix of talent to implement any approved findings of a taxpayerfunded taskforce appointed in April to probe the body’s performance.

It is believed the new board is predominantly from Labor’s Left faction.

A source said the sacked board had been blindsided, believing they had always done a good job.

New board members will include former Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant, north Queensland lawyer Amanda Shircore, health fund executive Cathy McGuane, Greg Webb and Therese Smith.

Chairwoman Sophie Devitt will stay on during the transition and then step down.

Stadiums Queensland manages major venues, including Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba, Townsville’s 1300 SMILES Stadium, Metricon Stadium and the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.

Mounting concerns about crippling rents and levies at the stadiums in April prompted Queensland’s NRL, AFL and Super Rugby clubs to join forces in calling for the Government to step in and overhaul the organisation.

The clubs claimed rents and transport levies at Queensland stadiums were now between three and five times more than interstate costs, forcing some clubs to cut staff to stay afloat.

The NRL confirmed its Queensland-based club paid more in rent and operating costs than anywhere else. The Titans rent Cbus Stadium for $110,000 a game and haven’t signed a contract with Stadiums Queensland since 2016.

The Gold Coast Suns pay $8 a ticket in operational costs, compared to $1.20 paid by the biggest AFL and NRL clubs in Australia.

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans, Suns bosses hail hoped for new era at venues
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au

BOSSES at top Gold Coast sports franchises are hailing an anticipated new era for city stadiums with a tipped shift in focus toward attracting more big-shot events.

A review into the operation of Queensland venues, including Gold Coast Suns home Metricon and Gold Coast Titans fortress CBUS Super Stadium, will be unveiled within weeks.

It is expected the review, led by respected sports and tourism executive John Lee, will call for a fundamental shift from focusing on economics and return on investment to enabling more community benefit by filling up the calendar, the Bulletin understands.

Other understood changes are relief for franchises such as the Titans and Suns when it comes to punishing public transport levies dished out by Stadiums Queensland.

The levies are passed on to cover free or subsidised public transport which comes with game day tickets but for the Titans which have a large drive-up crowd any relief will be welcome.

The Gold Coast franchises and city leaders including Mayor Tom Tate have been at war with Stadiums Queensland about perceived exorbitant hiring costs and blaming it for losing acts including Bon Jovi to Brisbane venues. State Government has since completely replaced the board.

Titans CEO Graham Annesley said he was not aware of the outcome of the imminent Lee review but welcomed a shift in focus to getting more events, concerts and other codes’ fixtures at CBUS and Metricon.

“The whole point of having sporting infrastructure in the community is so it benefits the community.

“I don’t believe these sorts of taxpayer funded facilities should be used just for sporting codes. I would applaud any such change in focus.”

Titans CEO Graham Annesley: “I don’t believe these sorts of taxpayer funded facilities should be used just for sporting codes. I would applaud any such change in focus.”

Mr Annesley said the Titans lobbied the stadiums review for the Gold Coast to be treated as a regional city not a capital one when it comes to “high” transport levies.

The bigger cities had much larger, better patronised public transport than the Gold Coast: “It’s still very much a drive mentality for the residents on the Gold Coast to get where they need to.”

The Titans inked a 10-game-a-year, five-year deal for CBUS recently but the contract is fluid to allow for relief on transport levies that might result from the stadiums review.

Titans chairman Dennis Watt said city stadiums were “a significant investment and it would be great to see our stadiums getting greater usage for the benefit of the Gold Coast public”.

“Whether other sports or concerts, it takes the pressure off the Titans to carry the weight of the cost for that piece of infrastructure.

Gold Coast Titans chairman Dennis Watt: “Whether other sports or concerts, it takes the pressure off the Titans to carry the weight of the cost for that piece of infrastructure.”

“It moves us closer to a level playing field to our other competitors in the NRL.”

Mr Watt said savings would be ploughed back into Titans playing talent and junior pathways for males and females.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane, who last month called for Stadiums Queensland to be renamed Stadiums Brisbane alleging bias, said: “We have been trying for a long time to attract additional product to Metricon. We have made enormous efforts and every time we are beaten by Stadiums Queensland’s own venues in Brisbane.

If they are going to have more of a statewide approach rather than Brisbane-centric approach, we would welcome that with open arms.”

A dozen Suns home games a year pumped $29m into the Gold Coast economy and a further six events or concerts at Metricon would inject a further $15m, Mr Cochrane said.