Soccer: Backers stay sidelined in cash crunch

SYDNEY - The Football Kingz may need to help bail out cash-strapped Soccer Australia to ensure the NSL ends the new season debt-free.

The NSL is due to kick off on September 20, but Soccer Australia is still searching for sponsors to foot the A$1.5 million ($1.74 million) bill to run the competition.

If Soccer Australia fails to find a financial supporter it may be forced to turn to the clubs, who are liable for shortfalls under the constitution.

The shortfall follows the termination this year of the partnership between Soccer Australia and its marketing partner, International Entertainment Corporation.

Soccer Australia, which had been in conflict with IEC for eight months, won back the marketing rights - but at a price.

Under the terms of the previous agreement between the parties, IEC underwrote the NSL to the tune of A$1.35m two seasons ago and A$1.5m last season - money that was used to help cover costs such as airfares for team travel.

Soccer Australia is talking with several potential sponsors, but NSL chairman Remo Nogarotto conceded that a lack of confirmed backers was a concern less than a month from the season launch.

"Finding a replacement for IEC is going to be difficult, but clubs have every right to expect Soccer Australia to rectify the situation and fill the funding hole," he said.

However, if Nogarotto's optimism is misplaced, the 13 clubs may have to dip into their pockets.

If a sponsor-less league finished the season with debts of A$1 million, each club would be invoiced A$76,923 - on top of the A$40,000 affiliation fee they pay to take part in the competition.

In Auckland, Kingz chief executive Chris Turner was unaware of the sponsorship situation.

"It's the first I've heard of it and I can't comment."