Tigers want better deal
10 February 2006
Herald Sun
Jon Pierik
RICHMOND is weighing up how it should split its home games from 2007 as the club seeks to safeguard its future.
The Tigers currently divide their matches, with seven at their traditional home at the MCG and four at Telstra Dome.
Negotiations have begun with the Melbourne Cricket Club on a new five-year deal to stay at the MCG.
The Tigers are interested in playing even more matches there, but want a better deal, such as a greater share of signage rights.
Tigers chief executive Steven Wright confirmed negotiations had begun with the MCC.
"Victorian clubs are at a significant disadvantage to other clubs in terms of stadiums," he said. "It's things like corporate suites you get per game.
"If you are in Brisbane or if you are in Perth you get the whole ground.
"We are a tenant of the MCG but we get a small run there.
"We don't have the signage rights at the MCG like other clubs have interstate.
"That's huge, over a couple of million dollars, revenue just from the stadium.
"We are working closely from the MCC and are having a good hearing.
"Hopefully we can come to a resolution shortly which will be lucrative for the club."
As the AFL decides the fixture, it also has a strong say in where matches are played - a point Wright reinforced.
"The AFL has a plan as well because they allocate where you play," he said. "We have been a MCG tenant for 40 years and we want to remain as a chief tenant of the MCG.
"But at the same time you obviously need to consider the economics as well as the history and tradition.
"Our preference is the MCG but we are working closely with both venues and the AFL to come up with something which works.
"If we can secure a more lucrative deal from the MCG and, if necessary, Telstra Dome, that would also help the club."
Wright said the club had received positive feedback from its supporters about both stadiums.
"I think they prefer the MCG but on a cold winter's day when it's raining and they have got kids, they might prefer Telstra Dome," he said.
"I think traditionally we are a MCG club but Telstra Dome has provided good attendances for us as well."
Telstra Dome and MCC officials did not want to comment yesterday.
The Tigers posted a $40,000 profit last season, a major turnaround on a loss of more than $2 million the season before.
Wright said he was continually looking at ways to improve the club's bottom line but doesn't want this to be reliant on the team making the finals.
"Financially, making the finals helps but the most important thing Richmond people are looking for is improvement and being competitive," he said.
"I am not sitting here and Terry (Wallace) isn't sitting here saying we are going to make the eight. What we want to do is be competitive and continually improving. If you are improving, you should make your way up the ladder."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,18100097%255E19771,00.html
