The Covert Agent: Wellington Phoenix owner looking to sell the club's A-League licence

After another disappointing season, the Wellington Phoenix face a fight for their future and it appears their chairman Robert Morrison might not be up for it.

The Covert Agent can reveal that Morrison has been meeting with a variety of franchises in an attempt to sell the club's two-year licence with a view for relocation.

Clubs from south-west Sydney, Campbelltown and Brisbane as well as Southern Expansion have all been spoken to him about a potential deal, with Morrison believed to be hoping to net around $5 million for the sale.

Despite these discussions, sources close to Football Federation Australia suggest it's highly unlikely the governing body will allow such a transaction to take place.

Though a sale might not happen, the actions of Morrison strongly suggest he has no interesting in fighting for the club beyond its current two-year term.

Wellington ended the 2017/18 season in ninth - with a final round win over Melbourne City ensuring they avoided a third wooden spoon. 

Morrison is one of several Wellington businessman that were handed the club's licence in September 2011 after Terry Serepisos relinquished control due to financial issues.

UPDATE

Morrison denied the club's licence was up for sale in a statement released on the Phoenix website.
 
"As has been well reported in recent times, the A-League is in transition including a significant investigation by FIFA into the best governance model for the FFA and the impacts this will have on A-League and its independence," Morrison said in the statement.
 
"The FFA has a stated desire, noted without consultation with the clubs through APFCA, to expand the A-League. This has instigated a storm of speculation around licences.
 
"There are a number of parties interested and these parties have been talking to a number of clubs around A-League expansion and licences. Wellington has not been immune to this and it’s only appropriate that as a club we keep abreast of all possible options going around the clubs. 
 
"The Welnix ownership group has invested a significant amount of money and continue to do so including an unprecedented investment into the club’s Academy which is A-League leading and is producing some significant player talent, an investment largely unsupported by the national body. 
 
"It is not appropriate for any further speculation and we will not be making any decision on the future of this club until the future of the A-League is clearer which may not be for some time.
 
"Ultimately we remain focussed on our two key metrics – attendance at home games and viewership on Sky."