The Australian Football League (AFL) has recommitted its support for a new team in Tasmania following approval of an A$1.13 billion (US$747 million) stadium that was a condition of its entry into the league.
Hailing it as an historic day, the AFL said the Tasmanian Devils had made great progress since it was announced as the 19th team on 3 May 3 2023.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said it was pleasing that the Tasmanian people had spoken through parliament, with the 23,000-seat roof-roofed stadium in the island state capital of Hobart approved by the state's upper house on Thursday.
He said creating a new club for the AFL and AFL Women’s competitions was no small task, and much remained to be done to be ready for its debut in 2028.
“However, given the progress to date we could not be more confident that the Devils will make an immediate impact on the AFL/AFLW in 2028,” Dillon said in a statement.
“On behalf of the AFL and the 18 clubs we will continue to do all we can to support the establishment of the Devils and our newest club in the proud footy state of Tasmania.”
The future of the team was in doubt earlier this year due to opposition in parliament when a no-confidence motion was tabled against the minority government, but this was defeated, and supporters of the plans pushed on.
Although the stadium was given the green light by nine votes to five, opposition remained with Greens member Cassy O’Connor, quoted in this Guardian article saying: “It is so highly regrettable, bordering on tragic, that something we’ve all longed for, a Tasmanian AFL team, has become so divisive.”
The AFL is contributing $15 million toward the cost of building the new stadium, with the Australian Government providing $240 million.
