Shane Richardson, the chief executive of South Sydney, has urged all Sydney clubs to forgo their traditional home grounds in favor of the city’s two main stadiums.
Richardson believes it would be financially sustainable to hold all matches at ANZ and Allianz Stadiums instead of continuing at popular venues such as Leichhardt Oval, Brookvale, Parramatta Stadium, Centrebet Stadium, WIN Jubilee, and Toyota Stadium.
The AFL employs a similar model, where teams from Melbourne utilize the MCG and Etihad Stadium.
This proposal is likely to provoke league fans who have deep-rooted connections to their local suburban grounds, with some attachments spanning decades. Richardson asserted that a robust stadium policy is essential to enhancing match-day attendance.
After six rounds of the season, he noted a 6 percent decrease in match-day attendance compared to the previous year.
Nevertheless, Rabbitohs officials are optimistic about attracting over 30,000 fans at Homebush for their upcoming Good Friday matchup against the Canterbury-Bankstown.
“I personally believe we require two stadiums, though I’m comfortable with having three,” stated Richardson.
“The direction the game is heading suggests such a necessity. Trying to resist this change is like swimming against the current of Niagara Falls.
“You may attempt to contest it for a while, but without a comprehensive policy across the board, everyone must fend for themselves financially. We are all striving to optimize our financial returns from the game.
“While many express their love for Leichhardt Oval, which is great for those who attend there, we aspire to bring in new fans to the game.
“They prefer a secure venue with seating, quality restroom facilities, and robust public transportation options—that’s what will attract new attendees.
“Do you believe there wasn’t some backlash when we departed from the SFS? Or that there wasn’t any resistance when we weren’t allowed to play at Redfern Oval?
“Did Collingwood fans not react negatively following their move from Victoria Park?
“Wests Tigers also faced backlash when games shifted to Allianz from Campbelltown.
“But why did those transitions occur? To boost revenue. It’s better than losing a club.”
Recently, St George Illawarra received $30 million in upgrades for WIN Jubilee and WIN Wollongong. However, chief executive Peter Doust acknowledged the potential necessity of such a transition in the future, agreeing with Richardson.
“We can’t bury our heads in the sand—economic considerations are crucial,” Doust stated.
“Such a move would undoubtedly lead to public outcry. Fans have relished the passion of our home grounds, yet rugby league has become a professional sport where many fans value quality facilities.
“We may face challenges in continuing to enhance our grounds, so I foresee difficult times ahead.”
Conversely, Cronulla chairman Damian Irvine expressed reluctance to leave the Shire, noting, “I sense it would not be well-received by our supporters. Financially, there’s merit, but one cannot continually pursue financial gain at the expense of the fan base.”
Buford Balony comments: Who would take Souths seriously? They talk big but fail to deliver. This club is a mess, and the NRL would benefit greatly from their relocation or the elimination of both them and the Sharks.
