It’s been heavily speculated that CEO David Gallop and A-League chief Greg O’Rourke will recommend that the board delay expansion for a further season, largely to appease the 10 existing A-League clubs ahead of a new operating model for the stagnating competition.
However, Carrozzi, the managing partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and former Greater Western Sydney Giants deputy chairman, is in favour of two teams, as soon as possible.
Western Melbourne Group, Team 11, South Melbourne, Macarthur South-West Sydney, Canberra and Southern Expansion are all waiting for a decision with baited breath.
Whilst unwilling to speculate on the most likely time-table for expansion, Corrozzi articulated his personal preference.
“I’m an advocate of two teams as soon as possible, and I hope we get to a position where there are two strong bids ready to field a team next year,” he told The World Game.
“And then, I hope we also determine that the ideal structure will be a 14-team competition, if not the year after maybe the year after that.
“Within a very short space of time this competition needs to be at it’s optimal level, which I believe is 14 teams.
“This will cover the right people, the right communities and provide the right product from a viewership point of view. That’s my perspective as an individual.
“It’s all about, firstly, making sure that we develop a sustainable products and secondly, we don’t burden the new teams by pushing them through two early. That’s the delicate balancing act.”
It’s a high-wire act the existing clubs hope will culminate in a way-laying of a verdict, an outcome which would please them but not the fans desperate to see an injection of fresh blood to enliven the A-League.
“I will interrogating the FFA team (Gallop and O’Rourke) and the advisers Deloitte on where they’re at,” added Carrozzi.
“We’ve not looked at any recommendations whatsoever, at this stage it’s all speculation of who’s up and who’s down and who’s guaranteed a spot, or not.
“That’s worth knowing ... there’s been no initial talks on it at all. Wednesday will be the first time in detail ... speculation is to be expected but there’s no basis in fact to any of it.”
Carrozzi’s company PwC have undertaken work on behalf of the MSWS bid, but he’s unlikely to recuse himself from a vote, which could conceivably deliver one team for next season and another one or two the following year.
“I haven’t personally been involved in advocating one bid over another,” he added.
“But what I want to make sure there can be no suggestion of preferences or conflicts.
“The public and the community need to know that the process is without fear or favour. That’s my number one priority.
“I won’t know whether I recuse myself or not until I see what the see what the process looks like and how the meeting is conducted.
“But we will make sure that right outcomes are considered and the right licenses are issued.
“We are a board whose mindset now - and I make no comments on the former board who were very successful for the time.
“Our mission is to understand the fans, the sponsors, the clubs, the federations and broadcasters.
“And we’ll try and work to deliver the best outcomes for them.
“There won’t be a puff of white smoke from the Vatican where all the decisions are made, that’s not the way it should work, not in sports and frankly not in any business.”
