For "the first time since the establishment" of Football Federation Australia in '04, clubs can influence the future governance of domestic football "after forming a joint committee" with FFA to address the A-League's administration, according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. A "landmark meeting" in Melbourne took place on Wednesday morning, in which all 10 A-League club owners agreed to "establish an eight-man committee that will oversee a plan for expansion" and financial remodeling of the competition. For the next five months, a committee involving four representatives each from the clubs and FFA will "look to trim the hefty financial losses for the owners by devising a new governance system for the competition." The foundation of this committee "follows years of the owners' frustration at losing money," said to be in excess of A$200M ($151.3M) collectively since the start of the competition 11 years ago. FFA appeased the owners by "expressing newfound willingness to make significant structural change." The new FFA board will give the clubs "an opportunity to have their say" about issues such as the contentious centralized merchandising, "finding a true valuation of the A-League and increase revenue streams from within the game" (SMH, 10/12).
'GREAT MOMENTUM': In Sydney, Ray Gatt reported FFA CEO David Gallop "has declared the formation of an independently run A-League" any time soon as "way off the mark." The clubs had been agitating for an independent commission to run the league and recently asked FFA to "put it on the agenda" at Wednesday's meeting. However, it is understood the matter "was left in abeyance though the clubs will continue to push for greater representation" via the membership voting system given the A-League reportedly generates as much as 80% of FFA’s total revenue. Gallop: "It was timely to meet the clubs today. There is a great momentum and excitement around the game at the moment and it is important that we work together to ensure the game’s operating model evolves and takes advantage of the opportunities ahead of it. The suggestion that a breakaway from the FFA is imminent is off the mark." Adelaide United Chair Greg Griffin, who also chairs the recently formed Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, described the meeting as "collaborative and productive" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/13).
