Not surprising, Searle should be concentrating on how to earn money and stop the crowds abandoning the Titans than bleating about wanting more handouts.

Expansion Bids responseEXPANSION frontrunners yesterday warned any delay past 2013 could have a damaging effect on the game's growth in those areas.
Central Coast and Perth responded to an article in The Australian yesterday in which Gold Coast chief Michael Searle warned the game might not be ready to expand until at least 2017.

Searle, a proclaimed expansionist, said any decision should be the domain of the game's soon to be formed independent commission and would also be tied to the revenue generated from the next television rights deal after it expires at the end of 2012.

Central Coast general manager Greg Florimo said the Bears' bid was geared towards 2013 and any delay would force the franchise to reconsider its position.

"We've all been focused on 2013 for a number of reasons," Florimo said.

"There will be an injection of finances into the game with the new broadcasting agreement and hopefully that agreement will bring extra value to the game.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageSearle warns of rushing new clubs into NRL
The Australian, 1 day ago
Bears planning to have $6m honey pot
The Australian, 29 Jul 2010
Orford joins Central Coast push
Courier Mail, 28 Jul 2010
Expansion is too much to bear
The Australian, 28 Jul 2010
NRL to go fishing on the Central Coast
The Australian, 26 Jul 2010
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"(NRL chief executive) David Gallop has said himself if we were to expand we'd consider it for 2013, so we're counting on that as a target and a date for us."

West Australian chief executive John Sackson said any delay to push the date back would hurt the game's growth in that state.

He added the inclusion of new franchises could prove beneficial in negotiations for the next TV rights deal as it would open up new markets.

"I understand what Michael is saying and Michael has obviously been through it, but I'm sure he can relate to the amount of energy, money, passion that we're injecting into constructing a compelling bid," Sackson said.

"His comments don't change our resolve, or our focus, or our determination to get into the NRL because the West Australian market is ripe for

rugby league, it's ripe for an NRL franchise."

Having pushed for the Titans' inclusion in 2007, Searle said the game needed to sort out other issues first, including guaranteeing the financial security of existing clubs.

It is understood most chief executives share Searle's concerns but have yet to go public.

Central Coast and Perth are believed to have the edge over Ipswich and Central Queensland when the NRL expands.

Both are hoping to have an answer midway through next season.

Florimo added any delay in expansion would be hard for fans given they have been waiting for their own team since the failed Northern Eagles folded in 2002.

The Bears gave their best advertisement for inclusion when a sell-out crowd packed Bluetongue Stadium for the match between Manly and Wests Tigers.

"We've certainly built our fans up to expect 2013 is the date, so if that wasn't the case, some would certainly have something to say," Florimo said.'"

Not surprising, Searle should be concentrating on how to earn money and stop the crowds abandoning the Titans than bleating about wanting more handouts.

Expansion Bids responseEXPANSION frontrunners yesterday warned any delay past 2013 could have a damaging effect on the game's growth in those areas.
Central Coast and Perth responded to an article in The Australian yesterday in which Gold Coast chief Michael Searle warned the game might not be ready to expand until at least 2017.

Searle, a proclaimed expansionist, said any decision should be the domain of the game's soon to be formed independent commission and would also be tied to the revenue generated from the next television rights deal after it expires at the end of 2012.

Central Coast general manager Greg Florimo said the Bears' bid was geared towards 2013 and any delay would force the franchise to reconsider its position.

"We've all been focused on 2013 for a number of reasons," Florimo said.

"There will be an injection of finances into the game with the new broadcasting agreement and hopefully that agreement will bring extra value to the game.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageSearle warns of rushing new clubs into NRL
The Australian, 1 day ago
Bears planning to have $6m honey pot
The Australian, 29 Jul 2010
Orford joins Central Coast push
Courier Mail, 28 Jul 2010
Expansion is too much to bear
The Australian, 28 Jul 2010
NRL to go fishing on the Central Coast
The Australian, 26 Jul 2010
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"(NRL chief executive) David Gallop has said himself if we were to expand we'd consider it for 2013, so we're counting on that as a target and a date for us."

West Australian chief executive John Sackson said any delay to push the date back would hurt the game's growth in that state.

He added the inclusion of new franchises could prove beneficial in negotiations for the next TV rights deal as it would open up new markets.

"I understand what Michael is saying and Michael has obviously been through it, but I'm sure he can relate to the amount of energy, money, passion that we're injecting into constructing a compelling bid," Sackson said.

"His comments don't change our resolve, or our focus, or our determination to get into the NRL because the West Australian market is ripe for

rugby league, it's ripe for an NRL franchise."

Having pushed for the Titans' inclusion in 2007, Searle said the game needed to sort out other issues first, including guaranteeing the financial security of existing clubs.

It is understood most chief executives share Searle's concerns but have yet to go public.

Central Coast and Perth are believed to have the edge over Ipswich and Central Queensland when the NRL expands.

Both are hoping to have an answer midway through next season.

Florimo added any delay in expansion would be hard for fans given they have been waiting for their own team since the failed Northern Eagles folded in 2002.

The Bears gave their best advertisement for inclusion when a sell-out crowd packed Bluetongue Stadium for the match between Manly and Wests Tigers.

"We've certainly built our fans up to expect 2013 is the date, so if that wasn't the case, some would certainly have something to say," Florimo said.'"

This is the first article:

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sp ... 5909606431

This is the first article:

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sp ... 5909606431