Membership in the Tasmania Devils AFL is overwhelmingly taken up, surpassing 120,000.
In two days, three times as many are sold as were anticipated in the first year.
According to Kath McCann, the initial interest is “extremely humbling.”The Tasmanian AFL team’s executive director describes the more than 100,000 foundation memberships as a “deeply humbling” and affirming response to the competition’s long-awaited 19th license application and eventual award.
Prior to its planned 2028 debut, the club unveiled its name and colors on Monday night. It had projected that it would sell 40,000 foundation memberships in its first year.
The Devils’ head coach, Kath McCann, stated that the response to the count, which has already surpassed 120,000, has been “extremely humbling and somewhat overwhelming, but in a really positive way.”
“We’ve noticed that the community is expressing its desire [for a team] loudly and quickly,” she said.
Although the club has not yet broken down the number of sign-ups, McCann stated that most came from addresses in Tasmania.
The rich football traditions in the state are reflected in the membership figure, according to AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon.
“They have had access to over a century and fifty years of legacy,” he remarked.
Nonetheless, Dillon stated that the team required the “best facility, centrally located, stadium at Macquarie Point” in order to succeed.
The quantity of foundation members indicates that, should the club’s projected 23,000-seat stadium ever be constructed, there will be a significant demand for tickets.
A political firestorm has erupted around the proposed arena on Hobart’s waterfront ahead of this Saturday’s state election.
By limiting its financial contribution to the venue—which is expected to cost more than $700 million—the Liberal government seeks to soothe worries. In order to avoid having to construct the new facility, the Labor opposition seeks to renegotiate the agreement with the AFL.
The AFL maintains if the stadium is not built, the team will not have a place in the competition.
McCann said it is too early to be talking about how the club will allocate tickets to members.
“Over the next few years, you’ll see tiers and other benefits, including ultimately tickets that will be part of the membership offering, but that’s not for now,” she said.
Foundation members paid $10 and are to receive a membership card, a sticker and early access to merchandise, as well as have their name adorn the club’s headquarters.
“With the numbers that we’re currently seeing, it will have to be a relatively small font, and that’s pretty exciting,” McCann said.
However, he said in order to succeed the club needed the “best facility, centrally located, stadium at Macquarie Point”, Dillon said.
The number of foundation members suggests tickets for the club’s proposed 23,000 stadium, if it is ever built, will be in high demand.
The planned arena on Hobart’s waterfront has become a political controversy in the lead-up to Saturday’s state election.
The Liberal government hopes to allay concerns by capping its financial contribution to the venue which is set to cost more than $700m. The Labor opposition hopes to renegotiate the deal with the AFL to avoid having to build the new facility.
The AFL maintains if the stadium is not built, the team will not have a place in the competition.
McCann said it is too early to be talking about how the club will allocate tickets to members.
“Over the next few years, you’ll see tiers and other benefits, including ultimately tickets that will be part of the membership offering, but that’s not for now,” she said.
Foundation members paid $10 and are to receive a membership card, a sticker and early access to merchandise, as well as have their name adorn the club’s headquarters.
“With the numbers that we’re currently seeing, it will have to be a relatively small font, and that’s pretty exciting,” McCann said.
While most fans supported the club’s decision to retain a traditional Tasmanian name and colours, the response to the jumper was more mixed.
McCann confirmed the initial design represents the “foundation” guernsey and would go on sale in the first release of merchandise. The club plans to release and ultimately play in more than just the predominantly green strip.
McCann – who also sits on the Tasmanian Development Board – was one of nine Devils’ directors appointed in September, and became executive director in January for a period of two years.
A chief executive is expected to be appointed later this year, commencing in 2025.
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale – who was born in Burnie – is reportedly set to take the role.
The club was able to use the name Devils after securing permission from Warner Bros, owner of the Tasmanian Devil trademark.
Jim Cummings, the voice of the animated Devil as well as characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, provided his support to the club in a message on social media.
