Eddie McGuire Urges Anthony Albanese to Support Tasmanian Devils in Ongoing Stadium Dispute

Eddie McGuire has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to provide support for the financing of a stadium intended for the newly-established Tasmanian Devils.

The state government has indicated that it will not seek private investment for the stadium’s development, opting instead to utilise existing funds for the project.

Revealed in late May, the estimated cost of the stadium is a staggering $945 million, and discussions surrounding the facility’s construction remain ongoing.

The proposed design includes a roof for the stadium at Macquarie Point, with a planned capacity of 23,000 seats.

A vote in the state’s upper house is scheduled for late July to determine whether the new stadium will proceed.

The AFL has made its position on the situation abundantly clear: if the stadium doesn’t materialise, the Tasmanian Devils will not be included in the competition.

However, McGuire argues that the AFL should seek alternative funding solutions.

“I tell you what I would’ve done from the very start—I would have had the Prime Minister in a headlock,” McGuire stated on Wide World of Sports’ Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

“They’ve got to step up. Tasmania hasn’t received its due for a long time. Queensland will bask in the spotlight for the Olympics, which is fantastic, but Tasmania deserves better.”

When asked whether the AFL has the authority to request funding from the Prime Minister, McGuire replied, “They absolutely should. Tasmania deserves this.”

“What they need to figure out is if they secure the funding, they should not dictate where to build it; instead, let’s identify the right location together.”

“I’m just concerned that the moment they break ground, they’ll uncover some artefact and the whole project will grind to a halt.”

“People want Tasmania to be revitalised rather than stagnate where it currently sits.”

“Whatever is constructed in Tasmania needs to be forward-thinking; it should be suitable for 2060, not just for 2025. It needs to last for 30 years.”

“If what you’re building could have been constructed in 1960, it will be obsolete before the first bounce.”

Essendon legend James Hird acknowledged the reservations raised regarding sponsorship and corporate hospitality linked to the stadium discussions.

However, he highlighted the triumph of rival urban stadiums such as Optus Stadium and Adelaide Oval, which have also brought benefits to local businesses.

“There’s no point setting them up for failure,” Hird stated.

“There’s no sense in launching another uncompetitive team.”

“What we know about stadiums is if they are located too far from the city centre, attendance drops. The great aspect of this new stadium, along with Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium, is their proximity to the CBD. It keeps the city alive.”

“I know a lot of revenue comes from broadcasting, but without a solid stadium deal in place, you risk failure.”

“While I agree that football is not more important than life itself, it does play a vital role for many and can resolve numerous issues,” he concluded.