TITANS STADIUM DEAL
THE Gold Coast Titans have locked in their Robina home ground for 10 games a year in a deal being hailed a win for fans, the city and local player development.
Titans bosses will today confirm signing an agreement with the State Government’s Stadiums Queensland to keep hosting visiting sides at their Cbus Super Stadium fortress.
The five-year deal – through to 2022 but understood to include options within that period in the Titans’ favour – kicks in tonight when the Titans take on the Rabbitohs at Cbus.
Protracted talks prior to the deal had led to threats to shift home games elsewhere as the club explored saving on stadium costs so it could spend more on the team.
The Bulletin understands the new agreement sees a significant reduction in the club’s annual $1.3 million stadium bill and is closer to the market rates paid by other clubs.
THE Gold Coast Titans have locked in their Robina home ground for 10 games a year in a deal being hailed a win for fans, the city and local player development.
Titans bosses will today confirm signing an agreement with the State Government’s Stadiums Queensland to keep hosting visiting sides at their Cbus Super Stadium fortress.
The five-year deal – through to 2022 but understood to include options within that period in the Titans favour – kicks in tonight when the Titans take on the Rabbitohs at Cbus.
Protracted talks prior to the deal had led to threats to shift home games elsewhere as the club explored saving on stadium costs so it could spend more on the team.
The new deal now ensures a minimum of 10 home games a season at Cbus, the Bulletin can reveal.
The Titans are understood to have been paying $110,000 to use it on a game-by-game basis before this week’s new deal was struck. Titans bosses had long argued the club was paying well above the market rates paid by other NRL clubs.
The Bulletin understands the new agreement sees a significant reduction in the club’s annual $1.3 million stadium bill and is closer to the market rates paid by other clubs.
Last night, Titans CEO Graham Annesley would not reveal the new fee structure but said “both parties compromised to get the deal done”.
Asked if the Titans were now paying market rates, he said: “Any improvement is closer to where we believe we should be. Even though I’m sure it’s not an ideal outcome
for either party, it’s great to be in a position to get on with our primary objective of improving the club on and off the field.
“It allows us to spend more money on our football side,” Mr Annesley said.
“There are incentives in the deal for both parties to grow crowds. The more money we make, the more money they make.
“This is a relief because we had spent an inordinate amount of time on it. To have it locked away for the foreseeable future means we can focus on the team, performance and development of local players.
“It’s a great outcome for the Gold Coast and everyone who supports the Titans. This is a city that deserves national sporting teams and to have them in a great facility at market rates,” Mr Annesley said.
Titans head coach Garth Brennan added: “This is a win for the members and fans.
“We want Cbus Super Stadium to become a fortress other clubs fear, and now it’s been confirmed as our longterm home, it’s up to us to ensure it becomes just that through our performances.”
Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle said: “It’s great to be able to focus on the operation and success of the club and not drawn out negotiations.
“It gives long-term certainty to sponsors, our members and fans to have this locked in for a longer period on commercial terms,” she said.”