If a deal between the nine state bodies and the A-League clubs on the framework for independence isn’t ratified by the June 30 deadline, the FFA will continue to call the shots for another season.

And that, according to Chris Fong, the vice-chairman of Brisbane Roar and the lobby group representing the clubs, would spell disaster for a league already bleeding on multiple fronts.

“From the owners’ perspective we want to invest but we’ve had enough,” said Fong.

“We’ve been losing so much money over the years (an estimated $350 million combined) that it has come to the point where we don’t want to invest any further until we have control of the asset.

“How can you renovate the house unless you own it?”

The federations have tabled a list of demands including a seat on the board of a new commission, as well as an increased share of the financial pie generated by $346 million of TV revenue from Fox Sports - a deal which still has four seasons to run.

There are also unresolved issues over commercial rights, intellectual property and the relationship between professional clubs and the grassroots.

The federations even want a say in the number of visa players each club is allowed to sign.

While Fong insists the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association (APFCA) wants to work in harmony with the states - and that a deal can still be struck - he’s bewildered by the number of ambit claims.

“For the states to want a say in how the professional game is run, I don’t understand it,” he added.

“I attended the World Leagues Forum which includes the Premier League, all the leagues in Europe, the MLS and everywhere else, and this level of interference is unheard of.

“They work with their federations and partners but they’re not told by them what to do.

“For them to tell us they want to sit on our board and tell us what to do is quite remarkable.”

Fong views as untenable another year of uncertainty in a climate already chilled by the prospect of FoxSports looking to divest itself of “non-marquee sports”.

“If we don’t get over this hump - and I think we will - the game just can’t afford another year of turmoil. It’s a simple as that,” he said.

“The bottom line is we have to do things differently - if we’re sitting here this time next year and it hasn’t changed I can see our game being beyond the point of return.”

Consensus, he believes, is still achievable, with cooperation rather than confrontation the key.

“I see varying views from different states and I’m hearing different things,” he added.

“The problem is you have nine states and I’ve seen this when they’re all in the room together they often have different positions. And those positions change.

“Are they really representing their constituents? I’m not sure at times that they are.

“The states have their own problems and there have been several changes in board leadership of late which have potentially hindered the decision making process.

“There might be some polarized views but I believe the states have been driven so much over the past 15 years plus by the FFA that some of them may not used to the depth that this discussion requires.

“They may not have the resources or the time to fully understand it.

“I want us to have a better and stronger relationship with the states.

“At Brisbane, for example, we are initiating a number of programs with Football Queensland for the benefit of the game. That’s never been seen before and other clubs are doing that.

“On a broader spectrum there are commercial opportunities from working together.

“There’s a huge footprint of players out there and we have sponsors who want to tap into that. There will be financial benefits for all the states.”

But, Fong says, none of this can crystallize unless reform is ratified.

“Our game will be far more entertaining, massive growth in the metrics and the federations will see the benefits,” added Fong.

“We need to work together, there is no other way.

“It’s ridiculous having a small amount of individuals who don’t work full time in the game potentially dictating the future of the professionals. This needs to change.”

“As owners, we just want to cut the losses we’ve suffered and when we have a greater control we will be able to invest more and help the game grow.”