The Big Deal Weekly: Hawks' big payout, McClelland Trophy conundrum, Eddie exits Wallabies, JackJumpers for sale, Bears' NRL bid still alive & more

Newsletter no.57, 1 November 2023

Another week in the world of sports business, and the revolving wheel of the AFL Media landscape continues to bring in the headlines.

Outside of footy, Rugby Australia’s problems continue to get worse, while the NBL’s success continues.

Tune in to the episode with Tredders and Huddo below or scroll down for the weekly notes.

Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

HAWKS’ WOES

Hawthorn could be set for a significant compensation bill following the cultural safety review.

Former coach Alastair Clarkson, ex-footy boss Chris Fagan and ex-welfare manager Jason Burt could be compensated a combined $1 million plus.

The report also states Hawthorn’s willingness to financially compensate its former senior football staffers and Indigenous families would mitigate any potential financial penalty form the league.

However, it’s drawn the ire of former president Jeff Kennett, who is filthy members funds would be used to pay out significant settlements.

MCCLELLAND TROPHY ‘WINNERS’

Melbourne Football Club claimed the $1 million in prize money for being the most successful home and away side across both the men’s and women’s competitions.

But how balanced is it? The AFL Women’s competition doesn’t play each other once, while the men’s fixture is also unbalanced.

Clubs also gain eight points for a win in the AFLW, while four for the men’s competition.

What is the overall aim of it?

TREDDERS’ TALKING POINTS FROM THE AFL

• Is AFLW fixturing harming the competition?

• Sam Newman and Ricky Nixon come to blows

• Scott Lycett and Erin Phillips hang up the boots at Port

• Could Phillips be the first female in the Australian Football Hall of Fame?

Listen to the audio wrap to get the full breakdown

EDDIE’S OUT

It’s official. Only 10 months into a five-year deal, Eddie Jones is done with the Wallabies.

'No money, no strategy,' he said.

'I gave it a run. Hopefully be the catalyst for change. Sometimes you have to eat shit for others to eat caviar further down the track.'

Rugby Australia’s financial woes are well-documented, going back to 2019 when Rugby Australia had to fork out $8 million to Israel Folau over his sacking.

On top of Covid lockdowns with the Super Rugby comp, where South Africa and Argentina walked away from the league.

What’s next for Rugby Australia?

JACKJUMPING UP THE VALUE

The NBL’s youngest team, the Tasmania JackJumpers, are up for sale, and could demand a massive $30-$40 million.

NBL owner Larry Kestelman under no rush to sell, but keen to see a significant share remain in local hands.

No formal offers received, but plenty of interested parties.

The price dwarves the $8.5 million the Perth Wildcats were sold for in 2021, to SEN head honcho Craig Hutchinson. 

DARE TO BE THE BEAR

The bid for the Bears is still alive, with a reported proposal put forward by them to become the league’s 18th team.

Bears’ submission will reportedly involve the entire Pacific region, encompassing Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji and parts of New Zealand in their bid, as well as Papau New Guinea.

Bears would also be based in Sydney, a handful of games per season to be played at North Sydney Oval.

RICCIARDO’S BIG MOVE

Daniel Ricciardo’s seventh-placed finish in Mexico City Grand Prix could be a $20 million USD result potentially.

Because the points gained from what was the team’s highest finish of the season lifted his team, AlphaTauri, off the bottom in the constructor’s championship, leapfrogging both Haas and Alfa Romeo.

Max Verstappen won his 16th race of the season, a new record in F1.

UGLY SIDE OF SPORT

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz’s parents were kidnapped. His mother had been rescued, but the search remains ongoing for his father in Colombia.

A reward for $48k USD is out for information.

Meanwhile, Lyon coach Fabio Grosso was attacked after the team bus was stoned in France.

The match between former giants Lyon and rival Marseille was postponed after the away team’s bus was attacked.

INVESTORS EYEING LOWER TIER SOCCER

North Six Group is founding a multi-club ownership group called ‘Club Underdog’

Group is adding Swiss side FC Locarno to a portfolio containing Italian sides Campobasso FC and Ascoli FC, in addition to American expansion team Brooklyn FC.

Campobasso FC were promoted to Serie D in their first season, the fourth-tier of italian football.

Locarno is a fallen giant, having played several seasons in the Swiss top-tier, before going broke in 2018. 

Automatically relegated to the ninth tier, purchased by a local vet, Mauro Cavalii, who helped the club to four straight promotions.

Cavalli sold to North Sixth after the needs of the fifth tier became too much.

BASEBALL STRIKING OUT

Friday’s Rangers v Diamondbacks game averaged 9.17 million viewers, the first game performed worse than Game 1 of the ‘Bubble’ World Series in 2020.

TV ratings for the Fall Classic have been falling for years as baseball becomes more of a regional than national TV draw. Lack of stars is having a serious impact.

MAMMOTH FIGHT ON THE ROPES

Tyson Fury’s mammoth $287million AUD fight with Oleksandr Usky is off and could be delayed until as late as February.

His failure after being dropped in the third round by a professional boxing debutant in UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

SOME BET…

Clay Travis is willing to bet $1M that a high school boys state champion team can beat the WNBA champion team…

What’s the actual point?

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