Owning the Ground - Financially What Does it Mean?

[Matty C of the Shire]

I think we need some more shelter from the rain. Undercover is a limited resource at the park. Hopefully with this development, we can get more areas undercover , which in turn brings more crowds

 

[A.Snowden]

I think we need some more shelter from the rain. Undercover is a limited resource at the park. Hopefully with this development, we can get more areas undercover , which in turn brings more crowds

Wins should bring crowds to the game. Passionate supporters will go to the game if they love their teams rain, hail or shine. Watch a Bronco's or Newcastle game in the wet, they still bring 1000's of supporters to the ground.

 

[Matty C of the Shire]

Wins should bring crowds to the game. Passionate supporters will go to the game if they love their teams rain, hail or shine. Watch a Bronco's or Newcastle game in the wet, they still bring 1000's of supporters to the ground.

Yes true, but with the money and development , more money on the seating, in the end more seats

 

[Beejay]

I recall hearing that the Queensland Government charges a ridiculous amount rent per game at Suncorp (which is fair enough considering it is by far the best stadium and Queensland therefore has a monopoly on Brisbane stadia). Teams like the Brisbane Roar have struggled to break even playing there.

 

[Garbs]

I recall hearing that the Queensland Government charges a ridiculous amount rent per game at Suncorp (which is fair enough considering it is by far the best stadium and Queensland therefore has a monopoly on Brisbane stadia). Teams like the Brisbane Roar have struggled to break even playing there.

They also charge a ridiculous amount for Skilled Park... which is why the Titans have to charge such astronomical ticket prices, which has in turn resulted in their piss poor crowds.

 

[WillyInBris]

They also charge a ridiculous amount for Skilled Park... which is why the Titans have to charge such astronomical ticket prices, which has in turn resulted in their piss poor crowds.

The ground cost what was it 300mill and it has to be paid for, Searl had a lot of input into it I remember him talking it up etc he would have also been quite aware of the ongoing costs involved but obviously never looked at what happens when clubs do it tough and people in your area do it tough honestly he is a rather bad CEO I am friends with a person that worked with him when he was getting this all up and running, he says what they needed was a person with some bloody brains that could make hard decisions all they needed was something like bluetongue to service the area.

The funny part is Gus is trying to help them out why do you think that is I am sure you remember when Skilled was first opened he was saying all grounds should be like this he has banged on about it for ages he is looking the fool becasue our code cant afford it and he has just worked that out having to run penrith.
The Titans are in real trouble sponsors are hard to come buy money is hard to get and searl thinks that spending is more important then tightening the shoe string for a couple of years typical CEO spend your way out of trouble lol and who does he answer to?

I have also found that QLD supporters are a very fickle bunch if their team is losing they go and follow another team most don't stick by their team at all its a shame but the way it is up this way far worse then in Sydney do you guys remember when the Lions were wining premierships Bronco crowds were lucky to break 10k they were basically giving corporate boxes away (i had some good nights watching the broncos lose in those boxes) some people have a short memory up this way Gould would have to have one of the shortest lol.

I cant see how the new TV deal will be able to help the tits either cost of players etc are going to rise same with everything else.

lol at least it will be business as usual for Douglas.

Dont get me wrong I don't want to see them fold i don't want that for any club well but any new club needs to look at what the Titans have done and do the opposite actually more like what we have had to do start slow and gain momentum in the years ahead (talking about Irvine onwards).

So what does owning our own ground mean well it means we can do what we like and not worry about councils/governments charging us more when times are tough to line their own pockets its our ground no one elses that is a big thing and will be in the future.

 

[WillyInBris]

we run it ourselves..so ther ewould be a break even point. and yeah zappia was budgeting 13k home crowd average to break even.

Be interesting to see how much this has changed since then i am sure it has.

 

[Blackwhitenblue]

We should just play our **** crowd games at homebush get 3,000 people and pocket the money to make improvements to Shark Park.

While I know I will support the sharks no matter where they play I think a move like that would alienate a lot of fans and with only 3,000 showing up to home games make a much stronger case for anyone suggesting a relocation for the club.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Wins should bring crowds to the game. Passionate supporters will go to the game if they love their teams rain, hail or shine. Watch a Bronco's or Newcastle game in the wet, they still bring 1000's of supporters to the ground.

I remember going to a game a couple of years ago against the Warriors in sleet, crowd figure was around 2000, AND we lost! Miserable experience, more shelter please.

 

[A.Snowden]

I remember going to a game a couple of years ago against the Warriors in sleet, crowd figure was around 2000, AND we lost! Miserable experience, more shelter please.

So you think putting some extra roofs up will bring in the crowds?

 

[Murphy]

yep suncorpe is fairly well covered my misses wont go when it rains who wants thier kids to sit in rain.

 

[A.Snowden]

I couldn't give a **** about the rain to be honest. I'll take an umbrella and rain coat if it means watching live footy. I understand the kids part though. Some people just have different levels of support.

But to be truly honest, our crowd numbers arent low because we lack covered seating, it has more to do with team performance.

 

[Murphy]

i dont think cover is the most important topic at the momement, but the peter stand when it rains is bascically members who turn up and its ****ing terrible because you have the rain than the wind which is worst, the wind makes it very uncomfortable,and i think winning would be playing a part as well.

 

[Ryan]

The ground cost what was it 300mill and it has to be paid for, Searl had a lot of input into it I remember him talking it up etc he would have also been quite aware of the ongoing costs involved but obviously never looked at what happens when clubs do it tough and people in your area do it tough honestly he is a rather bad CEO I am friends with a person that worked with him when he was getting this all up and running, he says what they needed was a person with some bloody brains that could make hard decisions all they needed was something like bluetongue to service the area.

The funny part is Gus is trying to help them out why do you think that is I am sure you remember when Skilled was first opened he was saying all grounds should be like this he has banged on about it for ages he is looking the fool becasue our code cant afford it and he has just worked that out having to run penrith.
The Titans are in real trouble sponsors are hard to come buy money is hard to get and searl thinks that spending is more important then tightening the shoe string for a couple of years typical CEO spend your way out of trouble lol and who does he answer to?

I have also found that QLD supporters are a very fickle bunch if their team is losing they go and follow another team most don't stick by their team at all its a shame but the way it is up this way far worse then in Sydney do you guys remember when the Lions were wining premierships Bronco crowds were lucky to break 10k they were basically giving corporate boxes away (i had some good nights watching the broncos lose in those boxes) some people have a short memory up this way Gould would have to have one of the shortest lol.

I cant see how the new TV deal will be able to help the tits either cost of players etc are going to rise same with everything else.

lol at least it will be business as usual for Douglas.

Dont get me wrong I don't want to see them fold i don't want that for any club well but any new club needs to look at what the Titans have done and do the opposite actually more like what we have had to do start slow and gain momentum in the years ahead (talking about Irvine onwards).

So what does owning our own ground mean well it means we can do what we like and not worry about councils/governments charging us more when times are tough to line their own pockets its our ground no one elses that is a big thing and will be in the future.

Skilled Park cost $160M to build, how much each party contributed I cant remember.
From what I hear, Titans (and fans) are getting ripped off every home game with the current arrangements.
Firstly "Stadiums QLD" are the government mob who manage the stadiums. Now they throw in "free" public transport with tickets to Skilled & Suncorp, however you get the feeling that the cost makes its way back onto the ticket anyway. You might not have heard this story down south, but there was outrage when Clive Palmer capped the crowd at 5000 for his soccer games - He did it because once the crowd exceeded 5000 people, he was charged a per capita for transport management and he actually lost money for having a larger crowd. In response his fans boycotted the following games, and he was lucky to get 1000 to them. Couldn't win either way using Skilled Park, so he threatened to build his own stadium and compete with it. So I guess Searle has a penis up his rectum when it comes to balancing affordability with profit when pricing tickets.

Secondly they sub contract the catering out to the private sector, in Skilled Parks case it goes to "Michael O'Brien Catering Group" - so a business not even related to the NRL or the club gets to shamelessly profit from the canteen takings. Last time I lined up I didn't get much change out of $20 for a stingy tray of fish & chips and a 600ml coke. And I'd also assume that commissions from those sales go back to "Stadium QLD" rather than the host club.

Anyway, while our Labor government has it's filthy hands on the finances of the stadium - it's hard to believe the clubs that use it will generate much revenue from it, if not make losses.
It is an awesome stadium to watch from though, there really isn't a bad seat. The design of it keeps alot of the noise in, 27k people in Skilled is comparable to 50k in Suncorp.

Interesting times ahead anyway. I don't want to see any club fold either, and I think the precarious financial positions of most clubs justifies Gallops stance on postponing expansion until finances stabilize across the board.

I thought Shark Park would have to be substantially cheaper to operate and maintain than the bigger stadiums, and even more profitable if you had control over gate takings and catering, right? And a 13k crowd sounds like a large number just to break even??? I would have thought owning your own grounds would be a financial advantage.

 

[sharks2010]

Speaking off food I had a chicken burger from the game last Sunday and was quiet(hehe) good does suncorp still have red rooter

 

[BurgoShark]

Skilled Park cost $160M to build, how much each party contributed I cant remember.
From what I hear, Titans (and fans) are getting ripped off every home game with the current arrangements.
Firstly "Stadiums QLD" are the government mob who manage the stadiums. Now they throw in "free" public transport with tickets to Skilled & Suncorp, however you get the feeling that the cost makes its way back onto the ticket anyway. You might not have heard this story down south, but there was outrage when Clive Palmer capped the crowd at 5000 for his soccer games - He did it because once the crowd exceeded 5000 people, he was charged a per capita for transport management and he actually lost money for having a larger crowd. In response his fans boycotted the following games, and he was lucky to get 1000 to them. Couldn't win either way using Skilled Park, so he threatened to build his own stadium and compete with it. So I guess Searle has a penis up his rectum when it comes to balancing affordability with profit when pricing tickets.

Secondly they sub contract the catering out to the private sector, in Skilled Parks case it goes to "Michael O'Brien Catering Group" - so a business not even related to the NRL or the club gets to shamelessly profit from the canteen takings. Last time I lined up I didn't get much change out of $20 for a stingy tray of fish & chips and a 600ml coke. And I'd also assume that commissions from those sales go back to "Stadium QLD" rather than the host club.

Anyway, while our Labor government has it's filthy hands on the finances of the stadium - it's hard to believe the clubs that use it will generate much revenue from it, if not make losses.
It is an awesome stadium to watch from though, there really isn't a bad seat. The design of it keeps alot of the noise in, 27k people in Skilled is comparable to 50k in Suncorp.

Interesting times ahead anyway. I don't want to see any club fold either, and I think the precarious financial positions of most clubs justifies Gallops stance on postponing expansion until finances stabilize across the board.

I thought Shark Park would have to be substantially cheaper to operate and maintain than the bigger stadiums, and even more profitable if you had control over gate takings and catering, right? And a 13k crowd sounds like a large number just to break even??? I would have thought owning your own grounds would be a financial advantage.

A couple of notes on this. Stadiums Qld's job is to maintain and upgrade all of the venues in Queensland - so that money goes to lots of other stuff like, for example - the recently upgraded Metricon Stadium - also maintenance, grounds staff, etc. etc. of all of the other venues like the Gabba, Sleeman Centre, and others. That cash also goes into the bucket to pay for the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. The money has to come from somewhere.

As for catering, MOB does most of the venues, but that's something they pay for too. If the Titans wanted to provide the catering they could bid for the contract, but they're not in that business.

Even if the NRL were to negotiate a deal to provide there own caterers, thereby getting a slice of the pie, it would be unlikely that they'd able to do this cost effectively.

Ultimately, the benefits for the Sharks in comparison to a Qld team are:

- they don't pay a fee to use the venue
- although the catering company makes the profits from each game, they would have to pay the Sharks for the right to cater (per season I expect)
- Stadium naming rights (Toyota) go to the club

The downsides of course are:

- The Sharks pay for the maintenance
- A poor crowd means a small return

 

[Parko]

I remember hearing a year or two back that one of the primary goals, operations wise, was to reduce the break even point for the stadium. I have the feeling that breakeven sits at about 10k. Can someone confirm this?

But I'm not sure then how that takes into account members tickets.

On a side note, does anyone know when the stadium naming rights are up? I dont remember hearing anything about a renewal ever. Toyota has been there for over 10 years.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I have also found that QLD supporters are a very fickle bunch if their team is losing they go and follow another team most don't stick by their team at all its a shame but the way it is up this way far worse then in Sydney do you guys remember when the Lions were wining premierships Bronco crowds were lucky to break 10k they were basically giving corporate boxes away (i had some good nights watching the broncos lose in those boxes) some people have a short memory up this way Gould would have to have one of the shortest lol.

All teams' crowds go down when they're not performing, it's just human nature.

By the way your statement regarding the Broncos struggling to break 10k buring the Lion's reign is simply not true:

2001 20,081
2002 20,053
2003 24,326
2004 28,854 (Lions were runner's up)

These are their average crowd figures.

 

[WillyInBris]

All teams' crowds go down when they're not performing, it's just human nature.

By the way your statement regarding the Broncos struggling to break 10k buring the Lion's reign is simply not true:

2001 20,081
2002 20,053
2003 24,326
2004 28,854 (Lions were runner's up)

These are their average crowd figures.

Well Harold i was there believe the numbers if you like but they are a load of crap maybe they counted season ticket holders that weren't attending bit like last year when Skilled said they had something along the lines 13k to the sharks game, it was not the case any person that went to that game will tell you it was laughable.

 

[sharks2010]

Any person who watched that game new it was a joke