A-League clubs have been forced to shut down over fears for coronavirus and the players are prepared to walk out together after next being stood down without pay.
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The pandemic's affect on the competition's resources however appears to be in stark contrast to a cashed-up Tasmanian A-League bid.
Backers have refused to shy away over continuing to support the state's entry after initially missing out back in 2018 - on one of the two spots available - to Western United in Victoria and Macarthur FC in south-west Sydney.
Amid all of the uncertainty for the game's immediate future, Football Tasmania chief executive Matt Bulkeley said the vision for the state has not changed course.
"I don't think it is all going to put a Tasmanian opportunity back any more in terms of the A-League," he said.
"I think the ambition and the strategy around the A-League is still to expand into other markets. That's still the case, I think."
Football Australia has not ruled out a further increase of teams from 12 to 14, while a blueprint was released last year outlining key principles towards a national second division involving promotion and relegation of more clubs.
NPL Tasmania club South Hobart, the oldest side in the state, expressed an interest in being the first in the Apple Isle to play second division.
That all sounds promising, but Bulkeley understood that issues caused by the spread of coronavirus "will have a financial impact on so many organisations in sport".
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Even the most powerful AFL has since been forced to secure a loan of $500 million from banks to keep the game afloat amid big losses arising from postponing play over COVID-19 health concerns.
AFL powerbrokers Eddie McGuire and Nick Riewoldt were also the first to come out publicly to suggest that a Tasmanian bid to join the competition has now been set back at least by 10 years.
Only back in February, the Tasmanian AFL taskforce had set out 2025 for entry.
The A-League works on far smaller numbers: cash flow, attendances, TV ratings and related advertising as well as player payments.
For that reason, Bulkeley said Tasmania is a strong fit.
"There is uncertainty at the moment and the A-League needs to ride through these challenges, but they will and there will be opportunities on the other end," he said.
"There's still very strong interest in the team from our investors out of Tasmania.
"I think it is just a matter to keep the focus on that and keep doing the work that needs to be done to openly position Tasmania in the best possible light for expansion."
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