Football Tasmania welcomes Labor’s commitment to the World Game

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Labor committed to Football in Tasmania

Football Tasmania has welcomed Labor’s commitment to improve football infrastructure and to support more Tasmanians in enjoying the game, including the construction of a boutique rectangular stadium in Hobart.

If elected, Labor has committed to matching the Liberals’ $10 million worth of upgrades to Valley Road, Birch Avenue, Lightwood Park and Churchill Park in order to prepare each venue for the hosting of basecamps for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

In addition, Labor will put $4.8 million towards infrastructure upgrades at the Clare Street, Montello Road, Somerset, Ulverstone, Prospect Vale and Wentworth Park footballing venues.

In what comes as exciting news for Tasmania’s potential bid for an A-League side, Labor has committed to building a 10,000-15,000 seat capacity boutique rectangular stadium in Hobart if elected in majority.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley thanked Labor for their recognition of the value that grassroots football has for communities.

“As Tasmania’s most played team sport, football provides enormous health, social and economic benefits to the community,” he said.

“However, as the sport continues to grow, we are beginning to outgrow our facilities, with challenges finding enough adequate training, playing and changing-room spaces for our expanding participant base.

“We thank Labor for today’s commitment, which in addition to allowing more Tasmanians to access our great game, will also put the upgraded venues in a great position to be selected as 2023 World Cup training bases.”

Bulkeley acknowledged that the prospect of a rectangular stadium in Tasmania would take football to the next level in the state.

“We’re excited about Labor’s vision to build a rectangular stadium in Hobart, which will truly take the game to the next level in Tasmania and help us attract more high-level content to clear pathways for our talented juniors to reach the pinnacles of our sport,” he added.

“It’s great to see both major parties have now demonstrated their commitment to a rectangular stadium in the state, and clearly recognise the significant value football provides to the community.

“We look forward to working with the next Government to make a rectangular stadium a reality, and ensure football can continue to grow so even more Tasmanians can enjoy the benefits of the World Game.”

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APL and PFA remain without agreement as bargaining tensions continue

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Image Credit: A-Leagues

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations continuing less than three months before the start of the 2026–27 A-Leagues season.

The APL presented the players’ union with a new one-year interim proposal on August 5, which included an increase to the A-League Women salary cap and a commitment to establish a pathway towards full-time professionalism for the women’s competition within 12 months.

The proposed agreement would provide an interim framework while the two parties continue discussions over a longer-term collective bargaining agreement.

APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the proposal reflected the league’s commitment to reaching a sustainable agreement with players following eight months of negotiations.

However, the PFA criticised the APL for publicly announcing the proposal shortly after presenting it to the union, arguing that the approach had further damaged trust between the two parties.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch also said players had overwhelmingly rejected the APL’s previous final offer, citing a lack of trust in the league’s ability to ensure its future.

Full-time professionalism for the A-League Women remains a key priority for the PFA, with players seeking improved conditions and greater investment in the competition.

The A-League Men and A-League Women seasons are both scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026.

With the new season approaching, both parties face pressure to resolve the dispute and establish the framework governing player conditions across the A-Leagues.

 

 

Jeff Bezos consortium set for $2.7 billion Liverpool investment

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Image Credits: Fortune

Liverpool could soon welcome one of the world’s richest men into its ownership structure.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium in advanced talks to buy a 30% stake in the club.

The proposed deal values Liverpool at around $8.6 billion (4.5 billion pounds). Bezos has a personal fortune estimated at $363 billion.

The investment would give Fenway Sports Group (FSG) a major financial return. It would also allow FSG to keep control of the club, which they bought in 2010.

The proposal has attracted attention across football. It has also created concern among sections of the Liverpool fanbase.

FSG set for major return

FSG bought Liverpool for $573 million (300 million pounds) in 2010. The ownership group later provided further funding through loans. In the last 16 years, the club has undergone major growth.

Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a league title in 2020. The club also won the Champions League in 2019. Another Premier League title followed in 2025.

Stadium redevelopment and a new training centre have also increased the club’s value. FSG could cash in on $2.7 billion (1.4 billion pounds) if the 30% share is sold.

The deal would therefore represent a huge return on its original investment. However, whilst the investment would provide a massive cash out for the owners of Liverpool, due to Financial Fair Play there won’t be increased investment in the transfer market.

Why Bezos wants Liverpool

Bezos has explored sports investments before. He has been linked with major American franchises such as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Liverpool would give him a stake in one of football’s biggest global brands. The club also has a large following in the United States. The New York Times has also reported Liverpool has 26 million fans in America.

That makes the investment attractive for investors looking to expand their reach in global sport. American businessmen Eduardo Saverin and Amit Bhatia are also reportedly involved in the consortium.

The deal would add to the growing American influence across English football.

Fans remain cautious

Liverpool supporters have not automatically welcomed the proposal.

The club’s previous experience under Tom Hicks and George Gillett still influences the fanbase.

Supporters also want greater clarity over the consortium’s intentions. Questions remain over board representation, control and the long-term purpose of the investment.

For many fans, ownership must involve more than financial ambition. The Bezos proposal could strengthen Liverpool’s commercial position. It could also deliver a huge payday for FSG.

But until the consortium reveals more about its plans, supporters are likely to treat the deal with scepticism.

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