Brisbane Roar look for assistance with $750,00 ‘sporting tax’ when using Suncorp Stadium
BRISBANE Roar want a significant reduction in the $750,000 annual “sporting tax” fee they pay to ensure fans travel free to watch them play at Suncorp Stadium.
BRISBANE Roar want a significant reduction in the $750,000 annual “sporting tax” fee they pay to ensure fans travel free to watch them play at Suncorp Stadium.
Roar chief executive David Pourre is currently in negotiations with Suncorp Stadium officials about a new deal, with the three-time A-League champions hoping to call the Milton venue home for at least another five years.
However, Pourre wants some assistance from the state government with the transport levy that allows Roar supporters to travel to games free on trains and buses with their match tickets.
“The club will be working with the government on a so-called sporting tax which effectively sees the club paying in excess of three-quarters of a million dollars per year to the government for the benefit of free transport for all of its punters,” said Pourre in seeking to contribute less than $3.75 the Roar pays per match ticket for the transport levy.
“We don’t mind paying a small bit but you don’t want to pay three-quarters of a million dollars.
“The club believes it’s excessive. We need to sit down and discuss what it actually means and how we can work with the government and key stakeholders so they can understand what it will mean to make the club even stronger.
“It’s about getting the right deal for all parties so we can share in the success.”
Pourre said the Roar’s on-field success in recent years deserved greater recognition and reward.
“Three A-League championships, two premierships and all the women’s success, but we haven’t seen much or very little relief, or investment in football at all,” he said.
While the Roar see Suncorp Stadium as their ongoing and long-term home ground, they are keen to move their administration base out of Perry Park, which they share with former National Soccer League club, the Brisbane Strikers.
They are likely to leave the Bowen Hills before the end of the season after discovering in their recent investigation into the club's financial problems that the Roar's previous administration did not enter into an official contract with the Strikers when switching bases from Ballymore to Perry Park.
“The investigations revealed there were no signed agreements with Perry Park and no lease agreements,” Pourre said.
“Out of goodwill we’ve paid whatever was outstanding in good faith, however we’re looking at where we’re going to be in the future.
“The club needs to be in a position where it can control its own destiny.”
Originally published as Brisbane Roar look for assistance with $750,00 ‘sporting tax’ when using Suncorp Stadium
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