AFL fans have slammed the Brisbane Lions’ idea to parade a live lion around the GABBA on matchday in an attempt to enhance matchday entertainment.
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Brisbane Lions live lion: Brisbane plan to enhance its matchday experience by parading a live lion around the GABBA
Fans have reacted angrily to the news that AFL club Brisbane Lions plan to parade a live lion around the Gabba to enhance its matchday experience.
The Lions have spoken to zoo’s and animal welfare groups to assess whether the club could push on with the idea.
However, the idea has had a mostly negative reaction on social media, with some calling it “shameful” and “disgusting”.
The Brisbane Lions want to parade a beautiful, captive lion around the Gabba? That is shameful.
— Carly Weinberg-Adno (@CarlyW226) September 10, 2014
Brisbane Lions apparently want a real lion at home games? If this is true it’s disgusting and I do not support that. — ash. (@ashleighdugan) September 10, 2014
In addition to the outcry on social media, a petition has been started to “not allow Brisbane Lions to exploit a live Lion and parade it in front of thousands of screaming fans.”
Lions chief executive Greg Swann told SEN on Thursday that he believed it would be a hit with the club’s fans, and that they have the tick of approval from the AFL.
“It’s for our fan experience, we think the kids would be absolutely beside themselves,” Swann told SEN on Thursday morning.
“We had a chat to the AFL and fortunately the boss thinks it’s a great idea.
“We don’t know if we can get it up. We’re having a look at it.
“One of the good things about being here is we control the stadium, so it’s fantastic. Whatever we want to do we can do.”
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said it was great that clubs were thinking outside the box.
“Whether it’s a reality, I don’t know,” McLachlan told SEN.
“It’s a provocative idea that has lots of different angles.
“But I love the fact that lots of different clubs are thinking like this about what their experience us.
“Greg is making noise up there in Brisbane and we love that.
“I love the fact he’s pushing the envelope.”
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