Auckland City has "tentatively" put its name in the "mix to become part of the A-League" as Football Federation Australia considers "an expansion which could see two new teams," according to STUFF.
FFA has "decided to begin a formal process early next year for teams to enter the competition, with up to a dozen expansion markets existing around Australia and New Zealand."
Brisbane, southern Sydney, Tasmania, Auckland, South Melbourne, Canberra and Wollongong "are all candidates, while Auckland City, the reigning Oceania champions, have also expressed an interest to join the Wellington Phoenix as the second Kiwi club in Australia's flagship competition."
Auckland City Chair Ivan Vuksich said that the club was in the "very early days" of looking at raising the capital. As it stands right now, the A-League "aspirants are at varying states of preparedness."
A well-financed Tasmanian bid, which has already met with FFA, believes "it just needs the tick-off from head office to start investing and hit the ground running" (STUFF, 11/22).
For a rundown of how each potential bid is shaping up, click here.