Soccer: Sky's the limit for Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Soccer's worst-kept secret is out.

Sky Television has an option to take an 80 per cent interest in the Football Kingz but there promises to be plenty of hard talking before the deal is sealed.

The agreement between the television network's board, the Kingz and New Zealand Soccer is conditional on completion of due diligence and Sky's approval.

Kingz chairman Chris Turner said Sky Television would be the owner of the club but refused to say how much they would pay for their 80 per cent share.

He also declined to comment on the $600,000 the Kingz have borrowed to keep the club afloat during their cashflow problems.

Turner did say that the club's directors, himself, John Batty, lawyer Ted Midlane and Noel Barkley would not benefit financially from any amount the club received.

"The money goes into the club," he said. "For the past six months John Batty and I have been paid as working directors by the Kingz. What the future holds, who knows?

"The appointment of a chief executive has been put on hold pending the outcome of these negotiations and I would expect a new board will be put in place."

One of the conditions of the agreement is that a Sky representative will be invited to join New Zealand Soccer's board.

Asked what the Kingz had to offer in the due diligence process, Turner said: "We have a five-year agreement to participate in the NSL. We have a two-year licence from Fifa, we have sponsorship agreements and player contracts.

"We see this as the chance to have a team in the NSL that will be competitive. We have been working on this for some time. This is the driving force to ensure we just don't make up the numbers. It also gives us the opportunity to continue discussions with Wynton and Shane Rufer over their future as the club's coaches."

New Zealand Soccer chairman Kevin Stratful said: "We believe that this partnership with Sky will lead to increased exposure for the game and be excellent for soccer's growth in this country."

Stratful might have bought himself a fight over the agreement which will allow Sky to televise key soccer matches, including the Chatham Cup and new national league finals.

It is understood the league clubs were yesterday told of ongoing talks with other television channels over sponsorship and coverage of the league, which kicks off next month.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bob Patterson was surprised when he learned of the Sky deal, especially as he first heard of it through a media release.

He had met the league clubs yesterday unaware of the Sky agreement.

New Zealand board member Dave Lamont is far from happy with being "left in the dark" about discussions between Stratful, Sky and the Kingz.

"I feel like I'm in a dinghy with no oars," said Dunedin-based Lamont. "I'm floating with the tide and have to get my information from listening to the radio. I have not heard from Stratful since December 20.

"I received the minutes from the last meeting which informed me of a scheduled meeting in January. That was then cancelled - apparently because there was nothing to discuss. I have no idea when the next board meeting is."

Sky chief executive Nate Smith is comfortable with the proposal. He said: "As a code we believe soccer has huge growth potential in New Zealand which makes the Kingz very attractive to us as an investment."