Australian Football League club Melbourne Chair Glen Bartlett "has unveiled his long-term vision" to transform the club into the MLB N.Y. Yankees of the AFL "to have the Demons become a team of choice for Melburnians and a key attraction for visitors and newcomers to football's home base," according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. Bartlett said that "extensive research commissioned by the new board would scrutinise the Melbourne logo, the club song, its long-term agreement with Casey and its lack of visibility in Melbourne." Bartlett said that he had adopted the Demons when he moved to Melbourne in '08, but had "quickly identified the club's 'soft culture' on and off the field." Bartlett: "I felt very strongly and I still feel that we should be the New York Yankees of this city." Bartlett said that he "remained optimistic" that coach Paul Roos would retain a significant role in shaping the Demons' future beyond his senior coaching commitment. CEO Peter Jackson will be offered a 12-month contract extension until the end of '15. However, Bartlett said his reluctance to speak publicly until now about Jackson's future or his own vision was because "I want our footy to do the talking.'' Bartlett said that the unveiling of a new strategy for Melbourne "was still two to three months away," but hinted that the club's long-term deal with City of Casey "could be in jeopardy" despite the Victorian Football League alignment and a contract with Casey until '38 (THE AGE, 6/8).
