It just keeps getting worse for the Lions. A $3m loss plus one of Clark, Leuenberger or Rich most likely ending up at GWS next year due to their salary cap pressures.
Brisbane Lions staring at $3m loss Greg Denham
The Australian
February 05, 2011 BRISBANE'S tumultuous past 12 months will be reflected by a massive loss of almost $3 million.
The disastrous 2010 financial result, following a loss of $528,207 the previous year, is expected to be announced later this month.
Coinciding with the Lions' fall from grace have been the departures of key administrative staff, including chairman Tony Kelly, who was replaced mid-year by Angus Johnson, and chief executive Michael Bowers, who was pushed out in late October.
Brisbane expects finally to announce its new chief executive this month, with interim chief executive Steven Wright heading a short list of candidates. The Lions began their search for a new general manager early in December.
When Bowers "stepped down" after nine years, former Richmond chief executive Wright was offered the position on a temporary basis until a permanent placement was found. He had been running a sports consultancy company on the Gold Coast. Wright was replaced at Punt Road in 2009 after almost six years. Wright's short-term job description was to oversee the implementation of a football department review, recruit additional resources for the administration, increase revenue and be active in finding a new chief executive.
Johnson said Wright would not be a candidate. "The board swiftly appointed Steven Wright in the short term and he will undertake the role until a suitable replacement is found," Johnson said in October.
Brisbane however, is not yet in deep financial strife due to a highly prosperous period during and immediately following its four consecutive grand final appearances between 2001 and 2004.
Kelly reported 14 months ago that Brisbane was debt-free and held cash assets of almost $4m.
Brisbane will be the fifth AFL club to record a loss for last year, joining Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Carlton and Essendon. Sydney, which lost $752,428 in 2009, has not yet posted its financial result for last season.
The Lions will enter this season almost unrecognisable from the staff that started last year, with senior coach Michael Voss, in his third season, one of the few constants. Most of the changes were made following a comprehensive external review of Brisbane's football department, called as a result of a dramatic slump from sixth in 2009 to 13th last year.
The Lions won their first four games last season, but just three of their last 18 matches.
New general manager of football operations Dean Warren took up his position in November after 22 years of service with the AFL in a variety of roles.
He is in the Queensland AFL Hall of Fame after 170 games in the QAFL.
After losing class players Michael Rischitelli, Jared Brennan and Justin Sherman at the end of last season, Brisbane's biggest headache will come at the end of this season when it attempts to retain the services of out-of-contract trio Mitch Clark, Matthew Leuenberger and Daniel Rich.
But, it appears certain to lose at least one of that trio to Greater Western Sydney for its start up next year.
Because of its heavy commitment (almost $1.8 m) to troubled forward Brendan Fevola for two more seasons, the club is struggling under salary-cap restraints and will find it near impossible to keep its current list intact.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/brisbane-lions-staring-at-3m-loss/story-e6frg7mf-1226000457810
