Franchise Notes: NRL Manly Could Move After Council Doubles Stadium Fee

National Rugby League grand finalists Manly "could be forced from Brookvale Oval after Warringah Council doubled its fee for use of the ageing venue." The council wants A$710,000 ($663,000) a season, up from A$350,000 a year. The fee increase "comes as the club is poised to add heavyweight backing by announcing Tony Abbott as its No.1 ticket holder" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 10/1). ... NRL Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello "has credited his players for overcoming a perceived injustice after several players came under the spotlight for another drugs-related crisis in the NRL" (THE AGE, 9/30). ... McLaren Automotive, the luxury sports car business of the F1 group, "sharply reduced its losses" in '12 and "has set its sights on Asia to boost future growth." Operating losses at the three-year-old business fell to £10.9M last year from £59.1M in '11 and it expects to break even this year (London GUARDIAN, 9/30).