How high-stakes negotiations to move the AFL Grand Final will play out
The Grand Final is contracted to be at the MCG until 2057. For that agreement to be broken, it means something will need to come back the way of the MCC. Get the latest on the game changing negotiations.
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An interstate bidding war has erupted to host the AFL Grand Final after South Australia entered the race on Sunday.
“We’re in this,” SA Sports Minister Corey Wingard declared.
“We’re the best placed state in the country to host not just the big dance but also other finals clashes.
“We’ve done extremely well in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Adelaide Oval has proven it can manage large crowds safely and efficiently.”
While the AFL’s decision on a venue is imminent — and was expected to be the Gabba — a bidding war between state governments may help it recoup much of the revenue it stands to lose.
The AFL, Melbourne Cricket Club and state government will soon enter talks on the seemingly inevitable decision to shift the Grand Final away from the famous ground.
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The negotiations to shift the Grand Final interstate could involve extending the MCG’s contract for an extra season or granting the venue improved fixtures for coming seasons.
The state government and MCC paid a significant sum in 2018 to extend their deal for the MCG to host the Grand Final until 2057.
So while the MCC is expected to relent to allow this season’s game to be moved, it has a strong case to press.
Queensland is desperate to secure the Grand Final, and while Perth has expressed interest, no submission has been received on behalf of Optus Stadium.
The AFL makes about $12m in ticket sales from the Grand Final and also puts on the lucrative September Club functions for corporate patrons.
The league could also offer Queensland or South Australia a package that included the Brownlow Medal, and potentially even December’s national draft.
But the MCC’s lost revenue would also have to be recouped.
It has obligations to its own members, and also to AFL members.
The lost 2020 Grand Final will only make the MCC more intent on keeping a watertight contact to host the Grand Final through to 2057.
That contract was extended in 2018 as part of a state government deal that poured $225m into Victorian venues including Marvel Stadium.
The Sunday Herald Sun reported Sports Minister Martin Pakula was about to begin talks.
It is understood Mr Pakula, who is also the Racing Minister is committed to ensuring moving the Grand Final does not interfere with the marquee races.
The second wave of coronavirus has forced the state government to accept the Grand Final cannot now be held with crowds at the MCG, opening the door for the move interstate. The government will green light the move in exchange for guarantees from the AFL that marquee events such as the AFL Draft will be held in Victoria in the future.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the AFL will seek support to grow the game as part of its negotiations with state governments.
Queensland, a traditional rugby league state, is where the AFL has the most to gain from growing the game.
The Queensland government has already expressed interest in hosting the match at the GABBA.
Meanwhile, another major event — the Australian Tennis Open — could be pushed back to late next year in a bid to save the $387m tournament.
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Australian Open director Craig Tiley has revealed there are five contingency plans in place should the virus situation worsen, with the most extreme being to cancel — in a year when the tournament’s pandemic insurance will have cruelly just expired.
There is no option to move the Australian Open to a different city — but stage four of the plan is to delay the tournament until either May or in another window after September.