Wellington Phoenix

@Bovidae

Corica was pretty cool on Woud as the starter though. I reckon they see him as a deputy and are lining up someone else to start. I still don't think a loan back deal is likely (and I suspect that they'd put a clause in the sale deal, and possibly even the a league itself would take an interest because of the salary cap implications).

Paulsen just signed a 5 year deal so the phoenix will be playing hard ball here I think, although ultimately if a player wants to go you have to let them go, because most players here are wanting to springboard into a bigger league.

Ouch!

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) are upbeat that all A-Leagues clubs will survive a fresh wave of financial turbulence after they were told their central distribution for the 2024/25 season will be slashed by close to 75%. Clubs were informed after an APL board meeting on Wednesday that next year's distribution from head office would total just $530,000, down on close to $2m handed out last season. In 2018, prior to unbundling from Football Australia the annual club distribution was close to $3.6m. The A-League Men salary floor -- the minimum amount clubs must spend -- is $2.25m and the salary cap is $2.6m.

Warning bells that Australian Rugby should be paying a very close mind to. I have made the point before that the ARU are closer to the A-League than the NRL.

Private investment money gone? Money spent trying to prop up failing team? shitty broadcast deal? it is all there.

Pretty sure that the phoenix (and presumably the rest of the teams) were expecting this so hopefully they've planned accordingly and can either adjust or have filled their coffers through player sales (if the Paulsen deal hits the 4m that is the supposed maximum that's a couple of years, Old is rumoured to be heading to France, for presumably a lower but similar ballpark sum too).

The bigger clubs (Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC) probably have the pockets to keep spending, be interesting to see how some the smaller clubs go.

Silverlake as well, isn't it?

Marco Rojas is returning to the Phoenix on a 1-year deal.

@Bovidae said in Wellington Phoenix:

Marco Rojas is returning to the Phoenix on a 1-year deal.

surprised to see its only his second stint, was sure he had been back before....HAS has 3 different stints with Melbourne Victory since leaving though

Ben Old has been signed by newly promoted Ligue 1 club AS Saint-Étienne. Finn Surman could also be going to MLS (Portland Timbers).

The transfer fees will help with the Phoenix's finances and player budget.

Deadpool is coming to play the Nix

Must have wanted an easy win

Phoneix women in the first final for the Club at the moment. Unfortunately their defence is looking very overwhelmed. 2- 0 to Melbourne City just before half time.