Australian Football League, Etihad Stadium Can't Agree On Early Sale Price

The Australian Football League has revealed "the opportunity to buy Etihad Stadium ahead of schedule is closing," according to Jon Pierik of THE AGE. AFL Chair Mike Fitzpatrick said that the league "remained keen to take hold of the stadium and its lucrative management rights." The move would allow "greater funds to be distributed to clubs." This would also solve the problem of poor venue returns for Etihad Stadium tenants the Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and St. Kilda, "although stadium bosses say they are tired of the criticism and maintain there is more to the story." Fitzpatrick said that "he could not agree with the price" Melbourne Stadiums Ltd., acting on behalf of the five superannuation stakeholders in Etihad, had been asking. Fitzpatrick "would not disclose" what the AFL thought was a fair price. But it is understood Melbourne Stadiums Ltd. "wants more than" A$250M ($259.8M) for the remaining 12 years (THE AGE, 3/19).