http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/wnbl-home-final-to-help-the-townsville-fire-run-at-a-small-profit-this-year-with-bump-in-crowd-figures-to-help-club/story-fnjfzr2z-1226831241646

Someone should tell the Crocs...

Their overheads would be far lower, so you cant compare a WNBL team with an NBL team. A completely different set of finances to deal with.

Crocs however should (if they're not already) be aiming to move to the RSL venue where they can consolidate for a few years and build their brand up again without bleeding during these tough times. Then once they are up and about again, move back to the TEC.

great to see a good news story about bball finances for a change

I've now emailed the Fire my address. Hopefully they post it to me.

Rsl venue is not a tenable situation for the crocs, barring a renovation of an already brand new stadium. The layout isnt suitable. Stands are way too far away from the court.

It hasnt stopped the Fire from getting 1500-plus.

The potential move to the RSL venue might not be ideal, but if it means saving the Crocs from folding... And im certain the NBL would rather that and put up with attendances of 2,000 than to have one less team next season, especially when expanding the league is the number one objective at the moment.

From the sounds of it, distant stands or not, they have to escape TEC and their blood-sucking venue management, or they'll simply not survive.

It's not like the Melbourne Tigers who play in a small venue, but a small venue that is perfectly suited for an NBL game...

...it's hard to explain unless you've been there.

You can't have an NBL game there IMO.

Just a really poorly designed stadium.

this will give you an idea:

http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/photos/townsville_stadium1.jpg

Hard to get crowd involved when there is no one under each basket and the front row is 5 metres from the sideline.

If they could do some low cost modification to the stands to enable them to get closer to the court and turf those stupid tables i would say go for it, especially if the situation at the TECC doesn't improve (crowds wise / or subsidised rent). You could go a step further and squeeze some extra seats into the back row.

You'd also get a tonne of people who wouldn't renew their season tickets after such a move, barring significant ticket price reductions (ie. by more than half).

I have spoken to Fire players who think the atmosphere there is very good. I think it's worth doing if it significantly helps the bottom line, even if it simply achieves a better deal at TEC for later years.

If your choice is between good atmosphere but the prompt exsanguination of your club, and a lacklustre atmosphere but a sustainable future for the club, well...

Ive heard that the TEC have been absolutely ruthless to the Crocs with rent, which is very poor form for a venue where a club has been loyal there for over 20 years. I realise the alternatives are not great, but if its only for a few seasons while the Crocs can save up some cash, become more viable, then they can go back to the TEC when demand is higher again, due to constant sell outs. Plus the TEC might be more flexible and welcome the Crocs back (because they will miss the rent they get from them) and offer a better deal.

Im loosely basing this scenario on a similar situation at Perth with the PEC/Challenge Stadium/PA evolvement.

Besides, right now it wouldn't hurt them to move there given the team is not really a championship contender, as they are rebuilding.

If they removed the tables from the court side, and added corporate boxes, I think it will be fine in the short term, with a view to moving back to the TEC.

They could have temporary seating placed where in the gap at the stadium. I think you can hire big screens? Cold rooms and aircon at TEC is on its last legs. The rent for the TEC is absolutely absurd for such an old venue. Hopefully we see the Crocs survive.

Btw I remember seeing at the beginning of the season that the TEC was going to half the rent but this never eventuated.

I do remeber seeing that the rent figure was somewhere around $24,000. I have heard more recently that one of their recent games they were charged $30,000 plus.