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THE STATE OF PLAY FOR A-LEAGUE EXPANSION BIDS* TasmaniaStatus: Mega-wealthy former Victory investors Harry Stamoulis and Robert Belteky have already met with FFA, saying theyre ready to go from next year with support from all levels of government.Pros: A cheap stadium deal, as well as plenty of dollars and know-how from Stamoulis and Belteky.Cons: Football is far from the top game in this AFL-mad state, with little infrastructure and growth potential in a limited market.* AucklandStatus: Very early days to quote Auckland Citys chairman Ivan Vuksich. The New Zealand powerhouse is the only realistic option for expansion across the ditch, but would require a leap of faith from FFA.Pros: Successful football pedigree, the chance for a Kiwi derby and weekly A-League content in New Zealand, a strong catchment of 1.5 million.Cons: Questions of commitment. From the club, FFA, NZ Football and potential investors.* CanberraStatus: Up in the air. Governing body Capital Football isnt bidding and previous A-League aspirant investor Ivan Slavich is currently backing Central Coasts two-game deal in the nations capital.Pros: Solid stadium, junior numbers and lack of competition in one of Australias richest, if smaller, cities.Cons: FFA isnt keen. David Gallop pointedly rebuked the citys A-League aspirations around the time it hosted an A-League qualifer last year.* South MelbourneStatus: Ready to go, so they say. The powerhouse NSL club has been working to join the A-League since the day it was overlooked for the league and will mount a solid case.Pros: History and the chance to heal the ongoing rift between new football and old soccer. A solid stadium deal and long-term lease. History of success.Cons: Does Melbourne need another team with Citys attendances so low? Would Victory fight their admission?* GeelongStatus: Interested groups are getting organised but a Geelong bid is still in the embryonic stages.Pros: Theres room in Victoria for another team, and state and local government are likely to offer support. Geelong is a sports town with a record of producing Socceroos.Cons: Simonds Stadium might have narrow boundaries but its ultimately not a venue suitable for football. Questions over support base.* Brisbane StrikersStatus: The former NSL champions have assembled a bid team, headed by the colourful Miron Bleiberg, and will soon submit a formal bid to FFA.Pros: A strong brand, an existing structure, a successful academy and a ready-made rivalry with Brisbane Roar.Cons: Venue. If the Strikers cant find somewhere to play other than Suncorp Stadium, theyll struggle for a point of difference with the Roar.* South SydneyStatus: They were nearly ready to replace Wellington Phoenix last season, and the murmurs are continuing that FFA wants a third team in Sydney.Pros: Sydneys big enough for three teams, right? FFAs number crunchers have determined the south is an untapped market, with a big participation base.Cons: Sydney FC are dead against it, as one third of their members come from the shire, while Wollongong wants a standalone team.* WollongongStatus: The Wolves say they will have a look at FFAs expansion criteria once its released, but they could have some high-powered backers lined up.Pros: The Illawarra, a bit like the Hunter, is a true football region. WIN Stadium would be perfect.Cons: Forces outside of their control seem to prefer a southern Sydney team, based part-time in Wollongong.* AdelaideStatus: Adelaide City and West Adelaide, two former NSL stalwarts, have made noises about an A-League bid.Pros: Both are historic clubs who figure the Reds could do with a derby rival. Wests want Robbie Fowler as their inaugural coach.Cons: Does little old Adelaide really have room for two teams? Whos not supporting Adelaide United in SA?* PerthStatus: Football West is aiming for a second Perth team in the next three to five years in an audacious bid to turbo-charge the game in WA.Pros: Perths a growing city and numbers would suggest not everyone is on board with the Glory, for whatever reason.Cons: The Glory are just getting settled off-field and a rival team would chew into their market at an inopportune time.* Not happeningNorth Queensland: The Northern Fury say they wont be ready for this round of expansion, and the Hong Kong casino mogul backers of Cairns-based FNQ Heat have seemingly moved on.Gold Coast: There is a desire from some parties to revive Gold Coasts A-League presence but no action at this stage. Maybe one day. . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". . Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in appreciation and awe. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Matthew Stafford was glad to see Andrew Luck sign a massive contract extension this offseason, saying the Indianapolis Colts quarterback deserved every penny he was able to get.He said he thought the six-year, $140 million deal with $87 million guaranteed was good for Luck -- and for other quarterbacks in the NFL as well.I thought it was a good deal, the Detroit Lions?quarterback said. Im never against anybody making as much money as they can. Thats great. This is a limited-time business. We dont get to play this game until were 50, and hes a heck of a player, deserving of every cent.I would imagine hes excited to just put that behind him and go play now. Hes got, whatever, five or six years, whatever it is, to just go out there and play football. I thought it was good. I thought it was good for our league, good for our position, everything.It might matter more for Stafford than otherr quarterbacks in the league.ddddddddddddThats because he is eligible for a contract extension after the 2016 season, and depending how he plays, Stafford could be in line to become the richest player in the NFL this offseason. Stafford will be earning his third NFL contract either this offseason or after the 2017 season, the final year of his deal with the Lions. Hes scheduled to make $17 million this season and $16.5 million next season.The 28-year-old said he isnt worried about his contract or potentially becoming the NFLs richest player, though.Contract stuff, that doesnt weigh into my preparation, my decisions, nothing, Stafford said. I just go out there and play. My job is to help this team win, and thats really all I focus on.The rest of that stuff takes care of itself. ' ' '
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