AFL news 2022 | Tasmania team a step closer to being granted a licence, in principle agreement
Outgoing AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is on the verge of ticking off the league’s final frontier, after reportedly striking an ‘in principle agreement on commercial terms’ for a Tasmanian team to be brought into the competition.
WIN News sports reporter Brent Costelloe reported the news via Twitter on the day that McLachlan hit the stage to give an address at the SOHN Hearts and Minds Investment Leaders conference in Hobart.
Costelloe interviewed McLachlan as he landed in Hobart on Thursday, asking the AFL boss if he would be willing to grant Tasmania an AFL licence without stadium funding being locked in.
“I think we’re just being clear that we’re working with it and we’re trying to land the whole package together, and we think the stadium is an important piece,” McLachlan replied.
“We’ve got lots to do, we’ve been working with the clubs, state government, other parties around the venue and all the other parts will hopefully come together as one.”
McLachlan will address the media about the bid for a Tasmanian based team this afternoon.
According to the reports, the agreement that has been struck is the Tasmanian government’s $204 million financial offer that will underpin the new team.
The Age reports that the decision means the bid will be successful if the Tasmanian government can secure federal funding for the proposed stadium to house the team, and receives the endorsement of club presidents who need to approve the addition of a new AFL team.
The Tasmanian government is preparing a business case for the federal government in an attempt to secure $250 million for the stadium, with the state promising to fund half the cost.
Tasmania offered $12 million a year for 12 years, and $60 million to build a high-performance centre in Hobart that would also house the administration.
MORE TO COME
