Tigers and Demons to share Punt Road facilities to cut costsThe Age
April 1, 2020As AFL clubs grapple with the financial tsunami brought about by the coronavirus and the subsequent complete shutdown of the 2020 season, the AFL commission behind the scenes is encouraging all of its 18 clubs to look outside the square in a bid to substancially curb costs.
While the approval of the $600m loan from the NAB and ANZ banks has provided the AFL with some welcome economic security over the coming months while the competition is in hiatus, the AFL is putting the onus on its clubs to use this lockdown period to work together in coming up with solutions to significantly reduce expenditure across the board when footy finally returns to the field.
Sources within AFL headquarters have told The Age an in-principle agreement is close to being signed off between Richmond and Melbourne to share the Tigers' administration and training facilties at Punt Road Oval once the go ahead is given for the 2020 season to recommence.
The dramatic reduction in football department and administration staff even once footy is back up and running would enable both clubs to share the one facility.
As part of the arrangement in what would be viewed as a win-win situation for both clubs financially, the Demons would sublease the Swinburne Centre from Richmond at a lower rate to what they are paying now at AAMI Park as well as contribute to the running costs of the facilities such as utility bills. It was reported only a few days ago that some clubs such as North Melbourne have completely shutdown their training facilities to save $13,000 in electricity costs alone.
In addition, both Richmond and Melbourne membership and merchandise departments would be amalgamated to save on staffing costs.
For a small membership-base club like Melbourne, the ability to team up and obtain sales IP from Richmond with its massive 103,000 members would be invaluable.
The Demons had been seeking to move out of AAMI Park which they currently share administration facilties with the NRL's Melbourne Storm, A-League club Melbourne Victory and Super Rubgy side Melbourne Rebels. However, a proposal to obtain land in Yarra Park was rejected by the Melbourne City Council late last year. The move has now been shelved given the current deteriorating economic climate.
Likewise, the Tigers own plans to further expand and develop Punt Road Oval have been put on hold.
https://www.theagecom.au/sport/afl/tigers-and-demons-to-share-punt-road-facilities-to-cut-costs-20200401-p54bfj.html
