The AFL Gestapo

It’s often said that a fish rots at the head first. I’m glad this is true because I’m getting pretty sick of Andrew Demetriou proclaiming these words…

‘The game has never been in better shape’

‘We have record attendances’

‘Our media deal is the most lucrative in Australian sport’

Yep, you’ve heard them all before. What Andrew doesn’t have the wisdom to understand is that the business graveyard is full of businesses who got it wrong well before there was any evidence in the numbers. It might not hurt to listen to the supporters once in a while.

A few things Andrew Demetriou ought remember:

  1. Andrew not only do they pay your wage, but the media deals are also dependent on supporters.
  2. Love will endure a lot of pain, but eventually the relationship will break if things don’t improve. Yes, AFL supporters currently love the game.
  3. You are servant to the clubs, they are not servant to you…. Kind of sounds a lot like Communism….. For the good for the game? Or the good for the AFL commissioners egos & back pockets?
  4. Your salary cap is a hoax. Especially when ‘chosen players’ can become AFL ambassadors and receive non salary cap income when they are feeding from the same income source.
  5. Silencing the media (Grant Thomas) and fining club presidents (Jeff Kennett) for their ‘harmless commentary’ is sounding a lot like what the Gestapo did in Nazi Germany.
  6. Ignoring long time supporters and existing markets (Tasmania / North Melbourne) and using the general AFL bursary to enter territories in which you are inherently ‘unwanted’ (Western Sydney & Gold Coast) is also sounding like events which lead to World War 2. Both West Sydney & GC will be money pits. You need a few lessons in Global marketing at the AFL. Culture is difficult to change, and you may as well be operating in another country in this case. There’s only so many Victoria Ex-pats available.
  7. AFL tribunal – having to prove your innocence at the risk of a more severe punishment is unheard of Western Society. Let alone trying to quantify someones intention in such incidents. I didn’t know the AFL could read minds. Congratulations.
  8. Rule changes – It’s a game, not a government – let it evolve.
  9. Tanking does exist. The simple reason you believe it doesn’t is because the ramifications of admitting it are too dire for anyone to be honest. Just because something can’t be proved, it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

The main issue is this. You are not listening, and your time will run out.

Startup blog says: If you want to run a successful business, don’t be like the AFL, listen instead.

andrew demetriou

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One thought on “The AFL Gestapo

  1. I think Demetriou is a strong leader, a rarity in Australian sport.
    Unfortunately he’s pig headed and dictatorial to the many blemishes on the game currently.

    Expansion
    I think he’s wrong ignoring Tasmania – regardless of the commissions view that it is a captured market with limited if any growth potential. West Sydney will be a cash sucking disaster that won’t be a success in my lifetime.
    The Gold Coast expansion is worth pursuing as there is enough grass roots [ expats and locally produced products playing elsewhere in the league currently who will have given the local fans something of an introduction to the sport -to build from. Where as West Sydney has zero base and no desire for a team.

    Tanking
    The AFL Commission has it’s head in the sand over tanking [ it is happening and has happened at significant times over the past decade ]. Why didn’t the league move to an NBA style lottery system as a means of stopping farcical games [ remember the Kruizer cup: Dees v Blues anyone and more recently the Dees v Tigers on Sunday “One team doesn’t want to win, one team can’t win” Kevin Bartlet – previously a flat earth believer & this “The Dees might win by mistake” Andrew Maher…both commentators of said ‘match’.

    Supporters
    The league still treats it’s fans like second class citizens with manipulation of membership packages, allowing stadiums to ride rough shot over fans [ Docklands Dome is a case study in the making ] not to mention teams. The AFL website is a tragedy and has been for years. [Thank god for iphone apps for those fortunate enough to have them]

    The league makes big coin, but chooses favourites in terms of which teams are giving revenue opportunities. The league should support teams in struggling situations [ North, Footscray ] not make them beg cap-n-hand.

    TV deals were renegotiated with fans crying out for live broadcast of games. The AFL paid lip service to this and still allowed up to an hour delay into major markets.

    The Tribunial is a joke.
    Barry Hall’s slug was in play, [sure] you get to captain a grand final team Bazza. The lack of consistency is breathtaking.

    as a foot note,
    if the banks can drop penalty fees by ‘listening to their customers’
    the AFL can be forced to get it’s house in order, they better not take to long though.

    Andrew, Soccer is coming faster than ever and the entertainment dollar has many more suitors than it once did.

    Go Tiges !

    http://twitter.com/scottkilmartin

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