Cash or culture
WILL money be the most important factor when the NRL makes its decision on selling the Titans’ licence?
The question perhaps, is SHOULD money be the most important factor.
The league will earn millions from the sale of the Titans - as it should.
But the long-term survival of the Gold Coast franchise, not cash in the bank, has to be the most important factor in determining which consortia will be awarded the licence.
The NRL is not in the business of owning clubs, despite saving both the Gold Coast and Newcastle in recent years.
But nor does it want to see either club go under.
So money cannot be the highest priority when assessing the interested parties.
As the sixth biggest city in Australia and a centre in which the AFL has decided to plant its flag - and pour whatever resources are necessary to make that move succeed - the Gold Coast is an important location for the NRL and one in which it cannot afford to fail.
So it must choose its licence-holder wisely.
The Darryl Kelly-Rebecca Frizelle consortium looks to have a head start given it is made up of local business people aiming to ensure the future of the Titans on the Coast.
But the league cannot discount bids from North Sydney or the Brisbane Bombers, who have a war chest for their push.
Both have pledged to keep the franchise on the Coast.
Yet with the Bombers’ longterm goal to gain a second Brisbane team licence, there are questions if the Titans would remain top priority.
The Bears bid is likely to be the most divisive given the new owners want to change the club’s moniker and colours.
It’s a hard sell in a market that has had so much flux over the past 30 years. Buying a rugby league club is no get rich scheme. All consortia are interested in the survival of the game here. The NRL certainly has a tough job on its hands.
THE BEARS BID IS LIKELY TO BE THE MOST DIVISIVE GIVEN THE NEW OWNERS WANT TO CHANGE THE CLUB’S MONIKER AND COLOURS ...