NFL set to train in Coast academy

Councillors have backed a secret deal by the Gold Coast City Council to help create an academy for the NFL on the Glitter Strip.

The details remain on confidential papers, including council’s proposed funding outlay.

Mayor Tom Tate declined to comment at length but said it was “a very significant” investment for the city.

“We have got super majority support for it,” he said.

An announcement is expected at the end of this month. The city beat several other locations to win the partnership.

The timing would coincide with the worldwide coverage of the NFL draft.

Councillor Bob La Castra said the partnership was a “big win” for the city and community benefits would include a “state of the art sporting field open to the community to use”.

“It’s not just about an international sports organisation. It will also generate major events for our city,” he said.

The deal is expected to create major capital investment of more than $269m across 10 years, contribute to 50 new jobs and $160m in “broader strategic economic impact”.

That economic benefit would include:

* More than $4m in direct local expenditure through more interstate and international bed nights over 10 years.

* $10m in terms of sporting events.

* A new state of the art performance field.

* Support for local sporting groups.

News that the council had held secret talks with the NFL emerged last year, kicking off the potential for a major deal with one of the world’s biggest sporting brands.

But a majority of councillors in November punted it out of the door. The proposal was kept quiet because it was on “grey papers” and discussed behind doors and its commercial confidentiality prevented any further comment.

It involved the US professional football league and a northern Coast private school.

Councillor William OwenJones, supported by Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, were backed 8-5 in stopping it.