Fans won't pay price
Jon Ralph | September 26, 2008
THE AFL has pledged to keep football affordable for supporters, after admitting the global financial crisis would bite the game hard.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said yesterday the economic downturn had hit clubs and affected sponsorship, corporate hospitality, and membership.
The Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Melbourne are seeking major sponsors, with the AFL's record membership level also under threat. Demetriou said with the AFL debt-free and tens of millions of dollars saved in its future fund, it would go ahead with its expansion plans and was "prepared to take the pain".
But with up to five clubs about to declare losses this year, he conceded teams faced fresh challenges.
"Everyone is hit and when you consider who eventually pays, you look at corporates, they will be hit because they provide sponsorship.
"Things like the sale of (corporate) boxes, and even things like presidents' dinners," Demetriou said.
"When you talk about disposable impact, there is no doubt we have seen an effect on some of the finals games.
"Games we would probably have got 80,000 at, we have got 70,000 and I think it does hurt.
"What we have got to do next year is make sure we keep football affordable for our supporters. That's the most important thing."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24403888-19742,00.html
