AFL Tasmania: The Challenges of Launching the Devils Expansion Team
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 29 August 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
AFL Tasmania
After decades of campaigning, an AFL Tasmania team is finally set to launch, being the first major professional league team in Australia’s small island state. But this move has been fraught with controversy, with local residents and government bodies opposing the process at every step of the way. In this guide, we’ve discussed the challenges that face the Australian Football League, the Tasmania Devil team, and the state on its path to bringing Australian football to the island.
Intro to the New Tasmania AFL Team
To get this guide to the Tasmania AFL team started, we’ve provided some details into the state’s long journey to get it launched. As this has been a hotly contested development, we’ve also looked at the stakeholders that have opposed the development and why.
We have then explored the major hurdles and challenges that the team faces before, during, and after they launch. This includes the construction of infrastructure, sourcing talent, management, and winning community approval. If you stay informed, you’ll be better equipped to wager on the team at sportsbook apps with AFL odds.
- History of AFL’s Tasmanian Expansion
- Controversy of the Expansion
- Infrastructure and Facilities
- Financial Viability in Tasmania
- Sourcing Player Talent
- Establishing Strong Management
- Building Community Support
- Other External Factors
History of the AFL Expansion Tasmania Team
Until the 1980s, Australian rules football was only played at a major league level in Victoria, with a majority of the teams based in the suburbs of Melbourne. Then called the Victoria Football League, the league started forming out-of-state teams in the 80s, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.
After the league was renamed the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990, a proposal was made to commence an AFL expansion Tasmania team by the league. At the time, its Tasmanian State League (TSL) was struggling financially, and its collapse in 2000 reignited a conversation that the state deserved its own representation in the AFL.
The attempts were numerous and successful, with several Tasmanian premiers lobbying for a team. However, the state’s small population and waning interest in the sport were used as a reason to deny the bid. In 2019, the AFL advised the local government of its prerequisites to host an AFL team.
This includes a team with at least 50,000 members, capital of $40 million, a purpose-built AFL venue, and a minimum of 10 Tasmanian-raised players in the league. By 2023, the government had met the terms of the proposal, and it was confirmed that the Tasmania Devils AFL team would debut in 2028.
Controversy Over the Expansion
While many are excited about the AFL Tasmania development, many locals remain opposed to the team’s development. There are several reasons for this, with the first being the large financial investment required to build stadiums and develop a team. It is expected that a stadium will cost over $750 million to build, with community members decrying this state spending during a cost-of-living crisis.
Another major controversy is the construction of the stadium in Hobart. The city of Hobart, with its population of 250,000, has had a long Australian football rivalry against the northern city of Launceston, with its 87,000 people. Some have suggested that a Tasmania AFL team is doomed to fail if only one city hosts.
The Biggest Challenges
Several major challenges will need to be addressed before, during, and after the AFL expansion Tasmania team is launched. If it doesn’t, there remains a chance that the team could be bankrupted and fold, which has happened times in the AFL’s history. We’ve discussed these hurdles below.several
Infrastructure
One of the most pressing issues that the Tasmania Devils will need to address is the construction of a modern AFL home stadium that can host large audiences and broadcasting facilities. There is currently a proposal for the construction of the Macquarie Point Stadium in central Hobart, which will seat 23,000 fans.
It is expected to cost $715 million to build, with the construction breaking ground in 2025 and with a scheduled completion in 2029. It’s possible, too, that York Park in Launceston could undergo an upgrade, if not for hosting games then for training facilities.
A new training facility will need to include a gym, medical and rehabilitation centers, and other elements to ensure that the team is well looked after. These complexes don’t come cheap, as numerous modern technologies will need to be purchased. Additionally, public transport infrastructure and roads will need to be improved to transport large audiences efficiently.
Financial Viability
It’s not cheap to run a major sports team, so the AFL Tasmania Devils will need to find a way to be financially independent if they are to be sustainable. While their launch has been subsidized by the state and federal government, they will need to boost membership to cover operational costs and salaries.
They will need to attract sponsorship and private investment, which can be difficult when there is not as much of an emotional stake in a budding team. The team will also need to ensure regular ticket sales for home games, merchandising, and broadcasting fees, which may prove difficult considering the state’s small population.
Sourcing Talent
With the team set to launch within four years, the management of the Tasmania Devils will need to find a way to develop a team that can be competitive. Not only will they need to lure talent from other states, but they must invest in local players now so that they’re ready for the future.
This can be done through local schools and clubs. This could include offering attractive salaries and benefits , modern facilities, and an alluring lifestyle in a quiet but cosmopolitan state. Of course, they will also need to secure contracts for formidable coaches who can lead a budding team to eventual victory.
Establishing Management and Leadership
Any business-minded person could tell you that the success of an operation relies on strong leadership and management. In its development stages, the Tasmania Devils must recruit a board of directors with experience in running sports teams and how the AFL operates. It will need to keep its players satisfied and in line.
Not only will a CEO, manager, and head coach need to be hired, but marketing and sales experts will need to come on board to boost the exposure of the AFL expansion Tasmania team. The management must have a strong relationship with the local government and be committed to building an enduring reputation for its team.
Building Community Support
As we’ve mentioned, some members of the community have long been opposed to the formation of the team, so plenty of work will need to be done to ensure the Tasmania AFL team name of the Devils inspires pride. A strong fan base is essential to the competitive and financial success of sports teams.
This boosts morale in both the team and, in turn, the community. The biggest challenge is that the long-standing rivalry between Hobart and Launceston will need to be addressed so that the inhabitants of both cities can support their state representatives. This could be done through greater community engagement and sourcing talent from regional areas.
Other Factors
The success of the AFL Tasmania Devils will also be influenced by several other factors that may be difficult to control. For example, the AFL may update policies that make it difficult for the team to remain competitive, or a string of unsuccessful years could see membership and local support wane.
The Devils will need to constantly improve and adapt to the cultural landscape of the sport and trends in community interest as well. The team will need to develop a strong relationship and culture in itself, which can take generations. However, now is as good a time as any to start this.
Tasmania is also notoriously Australia’s darkest and coldest state, and with most games held in Winter, it may need to factor weather conditions into its strategy. As long as the team’s management has a long-term strategy to invest in infrastructure, talent, and community engagement, the Devils could become a source of local pride for Tasmanians.
