The Big Deal Weekly: Round 1 records smashed, Tassie unveiled, Harley Reid's debut, Gabba redevelopment drama, NRL's 'authenticity', white-ball's stop clock, English clubs coming down under & more
Newsletter no.75, 19 March 2024
Fans flocked into round one of the AFL, smashing records in the process.
Meanwhile, Tasmania’s colours have been announced with absolutely no shocks.
We chat that and more in this week of sports business.
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Round 1 smashes records
The AFL smashed the all-time record for the highest-ever attended round, with 413,405 fans rolling into Round 1 games.
It beats out the previous record, which was set in 2017, also Round 1.
Match attendance across Round 1:
Carlton v Richmond – 83,881
Collingwood v Sydney Swans – 78,933
Essendon v Hawthorn – 73,805
GWS GIANTS v North Melbourne – 8,034
Geelong Cats v St Kilda – 39,352
Gold Coast SUNS v Adelaide Crows – 11,466
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs - 44,100
Port Adelaide v West Coast Eagles – 33,230
Fremantle v Brisbane Lions – 40,604
Reid back page bonanza
Sometimes, you’d hate to be a Freo fan in WA.
The relentless coverage of Harley Reid on the back page of the West Australian has been borderline comedic, but it’s been working wonders.
Instead of the usual coverage of news, the entire back page was bought out by the player’s footwear sponsor, Puma.
‘A back page without the pressure… good luck mate’
It’s the first time Puma has bought the back page of a newspaper for an AFL player.
The first overall pick signed a five-year deal with Puma prior to being drafted, being the first player to do so.
Reid was more than serviceable despite the Eagles’ 50-point loss to Port Adelaide.
Tassie launches
In the least surprising news ever, the Tasmanian team has been named ‘the Devils’.
The colours also are as expected, with the red, yellow and green announced at the launch on Monday.
The guernsey unveiled was also the old Tassie state jumper, which has divided a few on social media.
But, clarification was released on Tuesday with the old Tassie jumper being a ‘foundation jumper’, similar to the blue, red and white one GWS had before they joined the AFL.
The home and away guernsey, which is to be revealed ‘in due time’, will be worn predominantly.
However, the popularity of the new team has been noted, with a $10 foundation membership launching going into overdrive.
As of time of recording, 75,000 people have signed up as a foundation member of the new Tassie team.
Now, it’s 100,000. $1 million in the bag.
Gabba redevelopment fiasco
The proposal for a $2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment has been thrown out the window.
A major review, which was implemented because the thought of the Gabba redevelopment being too high, has instead favoured a more expensive venue at Victoria Park.
The recommendation is for a $3.4 billion stadium built at Herston, which is a current green space.
The Gabba currently has 37,000 capacity, and the Brisbane Lions would move to the new Victoria Park venue if it is built.
‘We want authentic players’
The NRL will not hit Souths star Latrell Mitchell with a breach notice after his expletive-laden interview with Triple M.
“Honestly f***, it was s***, the first bit, it was a hard game, f***,” Mitchell said in the interview.
“Honestly [the Broncos] are big boys, they’re competitors, you wonder why they came runners-up last year, so f***, we can build on that.”
NRL chief executive will meet with Mitchell, but told the Sydney Morning Herald, “we encourage players to be themselves and be authentic.”
“However, they also know they are professionals and role models which means setting an example.
“When speaking to fans via media interviews, we have a responsibility to be respectful.”
Stop clocks become a permanent fixture
International white-ball cricket will have a stop clock on a permanent basis.
The decision followed a successful trial which showed they saved around 20 minutes per match in ODIs.
The fielding side will now have 60 seconds to start a new over, with failure to do so to attract two warnings before a five-run penalty applies.
The stop clock will come into force on June 1 and be used at the T20 World Cup.
Fraser-McGurk signs in IPL
21-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk has been scooped up as a replacement player ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League.
He’ll join fellow Aussies Ricky Ponting, Dave Warner, Mitch Marsh and Jhye Richardson at the Dehli Capitals.
Trio of English clubs to come Down Under
Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur will be coming to Australia only days after the end of the Premier League season.
However, they’re not alone.
Newcastle United will play Spurs in a friendly at the MCG, while, as a part of ‘Global Football Week’, the Arsenal women’s team will face an A-League All Stars side as a double header on May 22.
The Magpies will also face a men’s A-League All Stars team at Marvel Stadium on May 24.
Saudi circuit proposed
The authorities behind the Saudi Arabia Qiddiya district have released the first digital renders of a purpose-built racetrack which they intend to have host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The centrepiece of the proposed circuit is the ‘Blade’, which organisers say will be the world’s first cantilevered section of track.
The Blade, comprising the first turn, what appears to be a left-hand hairpin, will rise 20 storeys above the ground.
A live music venue will also be built beneath it.
It will feature no grandstands, and instead have spectators taking positions in surrounding venues and expect cars to reach top speeds of 325km/h.
Chiefs face potential relocation
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a potential relocation.
That’s if votes in Kansas City decide not to extend a regional sales tax on April 2.
The sales tax extension, which reportedly amounts to 3/8 cents until 2064 could generate $2 billion over the next 40 years.
If the extension is approved, the funds would help the Kansas City Royals build a new stadium, and make improvements to the Chiefs’ NFL stadium.
Enhancements include implementing heating and air conditioning systems, a bridge to connect the concourse, larger video boards, a parking deck, event spaces and more. It’s estimated to cost around $800 million.
Chiefs owners, the Hunt family, have committed to putting forward $300 million to the project, with the remaining amount to be covered by residents through the sales tax extension.
If it’s not approved, the Chiefs will need to explore alternative options, including leaving Kansas City.
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