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:
- Andrew not only do they pay your wage, but the media deals are also dependent on supporters.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Rule changes – It’s a game, not a government – let it evolve.
- 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.
