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To the building of the stadium a/man? I recall Barnett saying he wasn't even going to approach Packer for a contribution which to me was just crazy.

you make a deal with Packer and the devil will be in the detail, he doesn't give you money for nothing.
smart move to stay away from deals with him.

BC wrote: To the building of the stadium a/man? I recall Barnett saying he wasn't even going to approach Packer for a contribution which to me was just crazy.

Yep , that's how I recall it as well.

Purchasing Etihad was a good move for the AFL

NM, WB and possibly STK were struggling to break even (losing money hand over fist) on the old deal and were getting propped up by the AFL and the profitable clubs. I'd suggest it made more financial sense to buy the venue with the TV rights windfall.

The AFL didn't contribute the Great Southern Stand at the MCG. This was funded by the Vic Govt and the MCC.

They contributed $5m to the $610m Adelaide Oval redevelopment.

Packer offered to raise the Causeway to allow better boating access but the state govt didn't take up the offer.

AFL contributed to Adelaide Oval but its also others like the funds towards Aurora in Tasmania, all pretty token amounts but something at least.

Money invested by tax payers has been like a gift horse to the AFL.

In Demetriou's time at the helm, state and federal governments have ploughed well over $1.5 billion into the grounds that AFL fans flock to every weekend between March and September. Those upgrades have boosted capacity, improved lighting, club facilities, member areas and function rooms – in turn helping to bump up the AFL's revenue. In 2004 the code brought in $196 million in revenue. By 2012 it was raking in more than double that, $425 million.

How much has been wasted on the NRL and their grounds and facilities in comparison?
A sport that is only relevant in 2 states!

Not sure about NRL , but we wasted a heap on that Farce crap, at least Glory are still there and they got nearly13,000 there on the weekend which is a great crowd and not that far of what the WAFL GF draws now. people bagged Perth Arena but its turned out to be one of the best around and packs out Wildcats Games with 11,000 per game.

Good Fact Check on the Issue and Jeff Kennetts claim the AFL gets a free ride.

www.abc.net.au/news/factcheck/2013-09-27...l-investment/4983476

Yep no argument there the usual naysayers all bagged the Perth Arena during its construction days (waste of money, squashed beer can etc) and look how much of an asset it is to Perth now....then they all turned their attention to bagging the hell out of the new Perth Stadium for the last few years and it will when open be an even greater asset to our city and state....unfortunately there are too many people in Perth who want to hold back our city to the dark ages we just need some leaders with foresight who will push past these flogs and get on with the job of progressing our great city/state!

Bazza wrote: AFL contributed to Adelaide Oval but its also others like the funds towards Aurora in Tasmania, all pretty token amounts but something at least.

Money invested by tax payers has been like a gift horse to the AFL.

In Demetriou's time at the helm, state and federal governments have ploughed well over $1.5 billion into the grounds that AFL fans flock to every weekend between March and September. Those upgrades have boosted capacity, improved lighting, club facilities, member areas and function rooms – in turn helping to bump up the AFL's revenue. In 2004 the code brought in $196 million in revenue. By 2012 it was raking in more than double that, $425 million.

Very few of those venues, if any, are for the sole benefit of the AFL. They support a number of sports and other events. Where the AFL have invested into the stadium redevelopments this money has been used for the direct benefit of the AFL clubs eg training and administration infrastructure.

In regards to the financial windfall for the AFL that you've suggested has come from this govt investment, very little would be attributed to facility development with the exception of housing two new teams in non-traditional markets. Most of this increased revenue can be attritubted to the increased broadcasting rights deals.
Prior to 2001 Ch7 was paying $20m per season
2001 – Fox, Ch9 and Ch10 paid $100m per season from 2002-2006, Radio netted the AFL $2m
2006 – Ch7, Ch10 and Foxtel paid $150m per season from 2007-2011, Radio netted the AFL $8m
2011 – Ch7, Foxtel and Telstra paid $250m per season 2012 - 2017. Radio fetched $23.2m

The new TV rights are worth $418m per season for 6 years.