A consortium is in place that is "prepared to bankroll a second A-League team in Brisbane," former Brisbane and Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg said, according to Vince Rugari of the AAP. The former coach of the Brisbane Roar and the now-defunct Gold Coast United, Bleiberg said that he is "part of a group that is serious about backing another franchise in south-east Queensland and is ready to act," now that expansion is "firmly back on the A-League agenda." He said, "I'm not authorized to speak on their behalf, but I can tell you there is movement. There is a group of local people, they are capable, they have the money, most importantly they love the game, and they are ready." Bleiberg would not "divulge the identities of those involved or if they are attached to an existing bid group or region of the city." Bleiberg, who is "independently wealthy outside of football, even claimed he would be happy to contribute to the cause himself." Football Federation Australia last week declared expansion "was now a priority." No timeframes have been set, but it is anticipated two new franchises based in larger metropolitan markets "will be added over the next two or three seasons" to make the A-League a 12-team competition (AAP, 10/20).
