FFA Chairman Frank Lowy says potential investors in Australian football will buy into “the fastest growing global economic region” adding that football in Australia was in a strong financial position.
FFA Chairman Frank Lowy says potential investors in Australian football will buy into “the fastest growing global economic region” adding that football in Australia was in a strong financial position.
At the Sydney FC In Business function today, Lowy was bullish about the future and said that part of Asia was a major selling point for potential investors.
“You are buying a stake in the world-s most popular sport - you-re never going to run out of people who love your product. That-s important in business,” Lowy said.
“You are buying into the fastest growing global economic region - Asia. The links are tangible through Australia-s membership of the Asian Football Federation.
“Ask Manchester City about why they invested in the Melbourne Heart. It-s a very clever move.
“Most importantly, you are buying into a growth story - for that is what Australian football is all about today.
“The possibilities are endless.”
With Australia hosting AFC Asian Cup 2015 next January this further strengthens the game-s links with the region.
Lowy also took the opportunity to spruik the game-s growth saying the game-s KPI-s are heading in the right direction.
“The competition [A-League] has seen a 40% jump in attendances and a 100% surge in TV ratings and a tripling of digital audiences over the past three years.
“We offer great sporting entertainment, an atmosphere like no other and a unique connection between clubs and fans.
“Business is very good right now,” he said.
And still on financial matters, Lowy explained that the FFA will make a submission to FIFA once the world governing body had completed its own inquiry into the bidding process on the 2022 World Cup bid.
“The story has a few chapters to be written,” he said.
“In relation to the money we spent, yes I would think compensation is warranted, but right now FIFA has to make a fundamental finding about the timing if the 2022 World Cup, then these other answers will follow.”
The FFA Chairman also foreshadowed A-League clubs taking a cut of the imminent sale of the FFA owned Western Sydney Wanderers, though said any final decision on the cut is yet to be made.
“In relation to the sale proceeds, allow me to say that football has many mouths to feed. Any net capital after costs from the Wanderers sale will be available for FFA to re-invest.
“We have many projects in need of funding - facilities, schools programs, women-s football, youth academies, it goes on and on,” he said.
“We have told the A-League clubs there will be something for them from the sale proceeds, but we-ll make the decisions in due course and take our time.”
In other news, Sydney FC announced a three-year sleeve sponsorship with Beechwood Homes commencing on July 1.