KEY POINTS:
Former America's Cup executive director Alan Sefton is said to be leading the Auckland consortium trying to win the battle for control of the New Zealand Knights - which now seems a two-horse race.
The Auckland and Wellington bids are joined by a third out of Palmerston North, backed by a group of Uruguayan businessmen who have property in New Zealand and links with NZFC outfit Manawatu.
There have been some noises in New Zealand - particularly in Wellington - and across the Tasman that Wellington's bid may be favoured, as the consortium has Wellington City Council backing and the proposal impressed Football Federation of Australia (FFA) officials.
But former journalist and Team New Zealand boss Sefton is heading the consortium to keep the franchise in Auckland amid suggestions that Wellington might not yet have the financial backing needed to get the nod.
Ian Wells and John Dow are key members of the Wellington bid, along with local football identity and millionaire Dave Wilson. Wells is a New Zealand Soccer board member and former chairman of both New Zealand Tennis and Cricket Wellington, while Dow is a prominent Wellington events manager. The Palmerston North bid is less likely to succeed. The FFA and NZS have concerns about a side being based there but have not ruled out the possibility if the other two bids fall over. At least $2 million is needed initially and then $5 million-$6 million to see it survive for the three years still left on the licence.
"The Palmerston North group is a nice concept [being based there and then playing at four or five venues throughout the country] but that brings very high additional costs to the club and logistical challenges for us even trying to create a draw," A-League head of operations Matt Carroll said. "We favour major city locations for logistical reasons."
He did, though, say it was virtually a case of first in, best dressed for each of the bids. "Absolutely, that's the case," he said. "If two or three came along at the same time, we would look at the merits of some of the other things they are putting forward.
"Wellington's case is compelling. We can see tremendous attributes to it but without the funding - and they are working hard to achieve it - there's not much point.
"The Auckland bid is very business-like and we're pleased with the framework they're putting down."
NZS chief executive Graham Seatter said the Auckland and Palmerston North bids were the strongest financially but that Auckland was playing catch-up after entering the race late. "Auckland have the capacity to raise the money quite easily," he said, "but there are challenges in Wellington."
Seatter said that they were "open-minded" about where the club should be based but said it would be "a lot easier" for them if it was in Auckland.
Sefton couldn't be reached for comment but it's understood he's heading a group of four or five wealthy investors.
All three bids are due to report back to Carroll and FFA chief executive Ben Buckley with more detail on Monday before the FFA is expected to make a final decision at their board meeting on February 15.
IT'S UNLIKELY the NZFC will be expanded after all eight existing teams protested against the idea in a joint submission.
NZS is investigating the possibility of adding an under-20 development team and/or a club applicant from Gisborne City, Manukau United FC, Auckland-Manukau United, or Northern United FC.
But the existing teams are concerned expansion would weaken the league and push up costs.
A decision will be made at an NZS board meeting on February 7.
