From The Advertiser
"ADELAIDE United officials are contemplating a move across town to Norwood Oval.
The development could leave Hindmarsh Stadium - the state's boutique first-class soccer facility - without a regular tenant.
Adelaide officials have set the wheels in motion for the lease of Norwood Oval after consideration that the cost of hiring Hindmarsh - $35,000 per match - is an increasing financial burden.
Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin preferred not to comment last night.
But the pending shift to the home of SANFL club Norwood would be subject to approval by Football Federation Australia A-League officials.
"All proposed venues for the A-League come under A-League venue regulations and must have facilities of the highest standards as per criteria in the operations manual, including a broadcast survey," said FFA spokesperson Mark Jensen last night.
"Examples of criteria include operational spaces, lighting, technical requirements, medical rooms and media facilities."
Opened in 1901 the stadium - currently named Coopers Stadium after Adelaide United's major A-League front of shirt sponsor - is oval shaped, has 1800 seats in the western stand, a comfortable 15,000 capacity with many standing, no state-of-the-art corporate facilities and floodlighting that may not meet FFA standards.
But Adelaide United has a chance to secure the venue during the SANFL club's off season after Norwood Oval became the home of baseball's national league club Adelaide Bite for the past two summers.
The Bite's two-year lease is up for renewal.
The cost of United hiring The Parade-based stadium - understood to be an estimated $60,000 for up to 15 A-League games - could slash Adelaide's stadium hire bill by a quarter of a million dollars per domestic season. Norwood football club - as it does for Bite - would also allow Adelaide to provide its own catering which could turn into a lucrative food and beverage cash cow.
With an average gate of 10,000 fans the club's seasonal deal for Hindmarsh with the Office for Recreation and Sport has hit an impasse.
The main point of contention has been the state government department controlling all catering rights of Hindmarsh's bars and food halls.
The use of Norwood Oval for soccer is not a new revelation after SA and the Australian soccer team used the venue for matches from the 1950s until Hindmarsh became the spiritual home. Former national soccer league club Adelaide City was the last soccer club on the verge of moving to Norwood Oval in 2002."