ETIHAD Stadium CEO Paul Sergeant has refused to weigh into North Melbourne's chairman James Brayshaw's claims that the Kangaroos' home-game arrangement could be the "worst stadium deal in the history of world sport".
Brayshaw told the club's AGM on Wednesday night the reason the Roos received equalisation funding from the AFL was to compensate them for an inequitable stadium deal.
Lachie Hansen racing the clock for round one
Sergeant declined to respond on Thursday as the stadium unveiled its new multi-million dollar technology system and said the issue would be addressed "in due course".
"I've read James' comments – we're going to set the record straight but we're not doing that today," Sergeant said.
"Today is very much about the technology and the millions of dollars we've invested in technology."
Brayshaw also said he hoped the AFL would buy Etihad Stadium soon so North would "get a proper stadium deal and won't need to be propped up with a compensation cheque".
The AFL is scheduled to buy the stadium for $1 in 2025.
AFL general manager of AFL clubs and operations, Travis Auld, said he believed the improved fan experience at games – partially generated by the IPTV and LED systems installed at the ground – would help lift attendances.
"It's not the right forum to go through the ins and outs of individual stadium deals but essentially what we can do and what we can control immediately is driving attendance," Auld said.
"I know from talking to the Kangaroos that they've got some fantastic initiatives planned for their games here in terms of the experience.
"I have absolutely no doubt that combined with some of the other stuff that the stadium guys are working on now, it will improve the returns for the Kangaroos."
Auld said the AFL remained interested in buying the stadium ahead of time but it was "just a matter of the two parties agreeing on a price".
He also said the AFL had worked with the broadcasters to ensure the LED system, which runs 1000m around the fence and level one perimeter, would not be too distracting.
"You can dial the intensity up and down, and so we've done some testing on that," he said.
"I saw it yesterday in testing mode and the broadcasters are part of that.
"It's going to be an amazing visual (experience) for our supporters."
Meanwhile, Sergeant said Etihad would announce its food pricing and whether it would allow kick-to-kick after games ahead of round one.
St Kilda has already expressed an interest in allowing fans access to the oval after Sunday home games this season.
He said the big catering cuts at the MCG, announced earlier this month, came as part of the venue's business model that couldn't be compared to Etihad’s.
"They've got their own business model to run and we've got ours.
"I think in some ways, there's an unfair comparison from the MCG to a lot of the other venues around the country and not just here at Etihad Stadium."
The new LED system will be switched on for Thursday night's Hawthorn-St Kilda clash and games over the weekend but will be controlled by the AFL.
It will be handed over to the home club for the first time for round one's Western Bulldogs-West Coast clash on April 4.
