KEY POINTS:
The next New Zealand team in Australia's A-League will be no one-season wonder.
In unanimously agreeing to accept a licence for the 2007-08 A-League yesterday, New Zealand Soccer board members agreed it should be for the remaining three years of the initial five-year licence.
While NZS has decided it should accept the licence offered by Football Federation Australia - and that is a first, given the other seven licences are held by privately owned clubs - there are a couple of hurdles to be overcome before a team in the Hyundai league becomes a reality.
The interested parties, who now are in with the opportunity to pick a sub-licence, have until 5pm on Monday to make their intentions known.
At that point - and NZS went back to the two bidders (in Auckland and Wellington/Manawatu) after yesterday's board meeting - the national body will begin the due diligence process aimed at satisfying itself that four conditions can be met.
"They must be back to us on Monday with a full business plan," said NZS chief executive Graham Seatter yesterday.
"We will then go into the due diligence process with the aim of meeting the FFA's deadline of March 1.
"Part of that business plan will tell us how much money they feel is needed to run the club, what guarantees they have and prove to us they can successfully fund it.
"They must show us their budgeting is for the remaining three years of the licence."
Seatter agreed there was probably the need for at least $2 million up front to kick-start the venture.
They can count on A$1.3 million ($1.45 million) from the FFA as their share of the annual television rights.
Seatter said: "They might come to us with a plan which says they can get by with less than the $5 million ... touted as a minimum.
" We would need to be satisfied that is possible.
"We won't be left holding the baby," said Seatter.
"But, I hope to be in a position by the end of next week whereby I can go to Ricki Herbert [as coach] and say he is in the market for players and can begin the recruiting process."
There will, surely, be ongoing discussions in Sydney on Tuesday night when Seatter, Herbert and NZ Soccer chairman John Morris attend the A-League awards ceremony.
