the only reason why the storm exist is because of newsltd, NRLOl and the new owners pumping millions in to them & giving them endless promotion in the Newsltd publicationsParraEelsNRL wrote:Most of that happened around the super league war, not using that as an excuse much s4n, but it was different times remember and Rugby League was eating itself. These days we have a Melbourne side playing in the comp and has outlasted so far all the naysayers, so it is what it is.
the storm are the ultimate shit tank of a club
All well and good. Another two premierships and four consecutive grand-final appearances followed. A great success. Why, then, isn’t there an overwhelming push for a second Melbourne NRL franchise?
Because, for all of its onfield success, the Storm franchise is a failure. Melbourne has been haemorrhaging money at a rate that has only recently become clear. They have a tiny, if devoted, fan base which is not large enough to sustain the club. They have not been successful in attracting the media’s, sponsors’ or the public’s interest in Melbourne to the degree where they can be financially viable. They are kept alive by the largesse of News Limited. And now that News is pulling out of the game, Melbourne expects the other clubs to continue to help it win premierships at their expense.
As the books have been opened in the process of forming the independent commission, from the other 15 clubs there has been a collective: “Eh? Come again?”
Melbourne, with such deep pockets for players, coaches, staff and facilities, has been living beyond its means to the tune of about $6 million a year. News — which derives some of its income from the fans who subscribe to pay-TV and go to games — has been covering those losses. The main sticking point in the move towards an independent club-owned commission has been Melbourne holding out its hand asking everyone else to keep covering its losses and funding its success.
Now, think how this looks to the other clubs. Of every dollar they scrap and beg for, in sponsorship drives or marketing pushes or merchandise ideas, some of it goes to a club that is allowed to walk away with premierships. Every other club has to fight tooth and nail to remain profitable. Cronulla has never won a premiership. St George hasn’t won one for 30 years. Souths haven’t won one for 40. North Queensland and the Gold Coast, two good new clubs in real rugby league communities, haven’t won a premiership.
Meanwhile Melbourne, which has had its sugar daddy buying premierships for it, now wants them to keep up the inflow so it can continue to live beyond its means. Eh?
Every other club has to compete under the salary cap for the best players. Not Melbourne, which has been able to spend what it likes and — in the ultimate outrage — keep the best forward in Australia, the club captain, due to News Limited, through Foxtel, actually paying him again.
http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/03/31/try ... her=mobile
liar extraordinaire 
