THE financially crippled Newcastle Jets need an average crowd of 12,000 - nearly double their attendances last season - to break even for this campaign.
The Jets are away to Adelaide on Saturday before returning home to EnergyAustralia Stadium for a blockbuster against the Robbie Fowler-led Perth Glory on Friday week, and club CEO John Tsatsimas made it clear yesterday just how important it was for fans to turn out in force.
"We need people to get to the games," he said. "That is the best and the quickest way for the community to help the club."
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The Jets' two home games this year have attracted crowds of 8735 and 7066.
Football Federation Australia came to the rescue of the embattled club with a $300,000 bailout on Monday after owner Con Constantine was unable to pay players and staff wages.
Under the arrangement, FFA will cover the two weeks of outstanding entitlements to players and staff as well as wages for the next fortnight.
The move essentially gives Constantine and FFA a fortnight to work out a long-term solution to the club's problems.
But short of Constantine - whom BRW magazine last year estimated to be worth $100 million - selling some of his assets, there seems no quick fix to the club's money woes.
The Jets pay $15,000 ground hire to the major tenants, the Knights, and must also cover match-day operational costs of about $60,000 for each home game.
Constantine has pinned much of the Jets' financial hardship on an "unfair" commercial deal at EAS which precludes the club from gaining income out of food and beverage sales and signage.
Their only income is from ticket sales.
"In a climate of relatively low support from the corporate world, you need a 12,000 crowd on an average basis to be able to break even," Tsatsimas said.
"That is without recourse from catering, signage and pourage. If you had those opportunities you are able to sustain the club and expand."
Tsatsimas was unaware of the commercial deals other A-League clubs had with stadiums.
The Newcastle Herald understands that Brisbane Roar and Gold Coast United get a rebate on food and beverage sales but the hiring costs at Suncorp Stadium and Skilled Park are higher than EAS.
"I'm not privy to specifics at other stadiums," Tsatsimas said.
"The only thing I can tell you is that every club has a different arrangement. No two clubs are the same."
The Jets will have to wait until arbitration between the Knights and Hunter Venues Authority, which manages the stadium and the surrounding sporting precinct on behalf of the state government, to be finalised before they can attempt to negotiate a new deal.
That process is likely to be resolved and a formal announcement made by the end of the month, according to HVA chief executive Mark Zundans.
The Jets have had one major sponsor - a 12-month deal with Centrebet - since their inception.
But with the club's future not guaranteed beyond the game against Perth Glory on Friday, Tsatsimas admitted it was unlikely corporations would commit now.
"People are still waiting to see what the final position will be," he said. "No one will say tomorrow, 'Here is x-y-z.' Experience dictates that these things are done over eight- or nine-month discussions. No one will say 'Here you go guys, I feel sorry for you - done.'
"We are more reliant on the general public to make a statement in terms of do they want the team here. That gives us a base."
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