Comments on: Midweek round 19 a litmus test for the A-League

By: MV Dave

MV Dave — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:16:27 +0000

” but the nuclears of this team with the young guns ” … no wonder they never stop running!

BTW See Chelski needed another late penalty to win!! How much is Money Bags paying for the title???

BTW2 Manu And MV for the double this weekend…get some hard earned on those 2!!

By: Jeb

Jeb — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:05:28 +0000

I was wrong. 11K crowd

By: albe

albe — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:52:54 +0000

great turnup just about to watch the replay on Fox now
goes to show that judging crowds week to week is pointless. Important thing is, people are warming to the league, passion is growing for the game at club level locally… reflecting the interest that has always been there for club football from other countries, as well as our national team.
All good indicators, regardless of what numbers other sports draw.

By: K B

K B — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:55:18 +0000

Finally, some good work done at the Roar last night and the supporters should have been delighted with the nights work… A healthy Roar crowd of 11.5k witnessed a glimpse of the future in Ore and Zullo combining down the left flank with Sergio van Dijk the target man up front, were very effective…

You can see now what Angie Postecogalou is trying to do; bring in some discipline with a real professional attitude to their game; hard work and trying to entertain… This season may go down as not one of their best and maybe one to forget in the end, but the nuclears of this team with the young guns all contracted to the club bodes well for the next season…

Fury still always entertaining to watch especially with Flower in the side, but they have real problems with the defence, with giant holes in the central defence and midfield… Still they are learning and will be OK now with the new injection of Fox money into the HAL… This will allow the clubs some breathing space to build their support with proper promotion and engage more with their community…

~~~~~~
KB

By: jimbo

jimbo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:09:49 +0000

In 2012 all the Socceroos games go onto the Government’s Anti-Siphoning list so they have to be shown on FTA as well as Pay TV.
Doesn’t include A-League games, just Socceroos.

Fox have been making a very good profit on football, not just domestically but also on-selling them to networks all around the world including A-League games and the A-League highlights package.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:18:32 +0000

Proves how big an impact a marquee like Fowler can make.

By: jimbo

jimbo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:12:50 +0000

Back page of the Daily Telegraph tomorrow:
“Brisbane A-League Crowds Up a Staggering 105% in just 4 Days.”

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:37:19 +0000

There weren’t that many Fury fans they were in two areas though but did a good job considering their numbers. They seemed to me too bring as many fans as the jets do as a comparison.

I think it was a very good crowd considering the saturday one and their were plenty of liverpool fans in the crowd (with pool shirts) and I overheard some old poms who weren’t wearing a pool shirt but came because of Fowler.

A home win too, meant most people were in good spirits on the bus ride home.

7:30 kick off is only half an hour earlier than 8 pm but makes a world of difference for families. any later to get home and our little one would have chucked a tantrum.

On the negative side, the ground holds 60K but with only 11.5k fans the cheap seats had all sold out and the next section up is $25 and still isn’t what I would call good seats…such a shoort term money grab the Roar try so hard to make themselves unloveable

By: Marshall

Marshall — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:13:14 +0000

Amazing crowd considering. Fowler factor was probably part of the reason – there seemed to be a few green shirts in the crowd too. Clearly the Brisbane faithful used the occasion to prove they are behind the team judging by the supportive banners. Great to see. Very pleasing. Also bodes well for midweek summer nights too.

By: MV Dave

MV Dave — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:29:51 +0000

Great result for the Roar and an excellent midweek crowd of 11,500. Van Dyk is the best targetman in the HAL. NQ were awful unfortunately.

By: itsnotcalledsoccerbro

itsnotcalledsoccerbro — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:23:24 +0000

whats with the crowd at Suncorp tonight? its woeful.
Has the HAL grown too fast?
I am really worried about the game.

By: davelee

davelee — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:56:05 +0000

midweek matches are quite popular with OD1 cricket.

i also wonder why they didnt do this earlier. i mean earlier in december. arent OD1 cricket matches going to clash during january?

By: Axelv

Axelv — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:40:44 +0000

For the A-League to get $60m total per year is just putting a bandaid on the wound. If the A-League had some exposure, they would have more people watching the league, could get more people through the gates, this causes sponsorships to increase in value as the product they advertise is being seen by more people, it’s all inter-linked.

If the A-league was on FTA in the first place, we wouldn’t be having the dismal crowds that we have at the moment. To put a bandaid on the problem is just short term thinking. If they stop the source of the wound(which is lack of exposure), than they won’t even need bandaids for the future.

Oh, and to sign a deal now is the most stupid thing ever, the stock value of the soccer tv rights are going to sky rocket after South Africa 2010, THINK ABOUT IT.

By: Art Sapphire

Art Sapphire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:30:36 +0000

Cool AndyRoo – Perspective is the most important thing

I am off to the pictures – good evening all

By: MVDave

MVDave — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:29:45 +0000

Whilst l agree a FTA component is necessary (gee at least a highlight show broadcast after Fox has shown theirs) it is a massive increase (if true) and one which ensures the viablity of HAL for the very long term. Lowy has stated that he wanted FTA component in the next deal and what he wants he usually gets so will have to wait and see on that part of the deal.
Remember (if true) this deal is for 2 years less and 2 1/2 times the money. It may well be that the clincher was the continued telecasting of Socceroos home games which are huge ratings winners.

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:24:41 +0000

Art

I just had a look at what our current deal is and what AFL/NRL get and now have some perspective.

I was really hoping a bit of FTA would be the spark to turn A league attendances around but that new deal is massive and the fact it comes in straight away and isn’t just an extension means it’s even more of a big deal.

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:21:50 +0000

Just to add a bit slightly off topic ..

Hope this is true no online link from the TerrOR … But massive news if correct

If correct we go from 17 million per year to 60 million per year … remember RL gets 80 million so this is very BIGGGGGGGGGGGG news…

Have a link from frog

http://img696.yfrog.com/i/ffafox300mil.jpg/

Backpage on Telegraph:
NEW $300m Soccer Deal.
IT’S the ultimate shot in the arm for Australian soccer- a multi-million dollar TV deal that will provide a huge cash injection for the A-League. FFA and Fox Sports are in the advanced stages of agreeing a new five year deal worth $300m.

It is an increase in TV funding of almost two and a half times, with much of the benefit flowing straight to the A-League clubs.
It’s understood they will receive a handout from the FFA to cover the wages of their players in the salary capped A-League, National youth League and womens W-League.

With the A-League beset by negative headlines over its declining crowds this season, the new deal agreed by Fox Sports chief David Malone would be the ultimate statement of faith in the Australian game.

Fox Sports would continue to broadcast all A-League games, the Socceroos home matches, Asian Champions League games and the Asian Cup.

Then on page 95 there is a two column article about the issue.

FFA Hits a $300m jackpot with Fox.

It says, Fox Sports is expected to replace the existing seven-year agreement struck in 2007, with the new deal worth nearly two and a half times as much. Fox’s current deal has still four years to run, but may be replaced as early as next season.

Fox sports appears set to secure the same package, which includes the Socceroos home matches, Asian Cup, A-League, AFC Champions League.

The deal will secure the financing of struggling A-League clubs. The A-League clubs will receive 3million each season. This cash injection is expected to attract new investors.

Despite falling crowds this season, the ratings for the Socceroos continue to be a banker for Fox Sports, with excitement generated by the 2018-2022 WC Bid and the unchallenged hosting rights to holding the international nations 2015 Asian Cup tournament.

By expanding the A-League to 14 teams in 2018, we would get 4 spots in the Asian Champions League.

It’s not known whether the new deal will contain any provision for free-to-air coverage, though FFA chief Frank Lowy has declared his desire to see some of the A-League on a terrestrial station.

By: Axelv

Axelv — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:16:55 +0000

That’s horrible news if there’s any substance to it.
Most people didn’t get to watch Australia qualify for 2010, yet everyone saw 2006 when it was on SBS. Why would you pay $60 a month for low definition sports coverage? Standard definition digital on free to air is superior to Foxtel, it’s horrendous.

Imagine if the FFA gave a share of the A-league to Free to Air, and lets say CH10/One got the rights. Channel 10 would do everything they can to drum up the league and to get as many people possible to watch their channel. This means they would have have extensive A-League news during sport, advertising, to give the A-league as much exposure as possible so they can get good TV ratings. There is far more money in expanding the A-league audience to 20 million, rather than the current 4 million.

To sign off and extend the rights to Foxtel is mere short term thinking. Frank Lowy himself said that next time negotiations are up, it’s important that Football is on free to air and is broadcasted ‘to the people’ !

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:09:06 +0000

I think it was the SBS segment on TWG where they said the clubs get 1.7 or 1.9m a year from the TV grant.

1m extra is very nice but like RealFootball I want some FTA exposure too lure new fans and boost sponsership. The Bundisliga saw a rise in sponsership money when they started broadcasting a lot on FTA.

If this deal is just for the A league it’s a great one, if it includes the Socceroos then it’s ok.

Don’t want to be a dampner, it’s positive overall and is a nice statement about the long term viability fo the comp but I was dreaming of better.

I see MV dave said it’s 3 to 4 times bigger than the old deal….. that’s pretty awesome then.

By: Art Sapphire

Art Sapphire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:06:51 +0000

Reports are that the deal will replace the current deal before it expires. So it might not be too early realfootball.
Each club getting a yearly $3 million injection will do wonders.

By: Realfootball

Realfootball — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:03:52 +0000

Without some kind of FTA component – a game a week live on FTA or a highlights package once a week (and a decent highlights package) it will be a disaster for the code long term.

Personally, I don’t believe it. It is way, way too early to be finalising a deal like this.

By: Art Sapphire

Art Sapphire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:03:04 +0000

Got to look at the big picture Andy – Lowy wants an FTA component in the next deal. This could mean a highlights package or Fox onselling 1 game a week to FTA.
But the good news is as I stated could each club getting a $3million from the deal to help them cover salaries and travel. At the moment they are receiving Sweet FA. This will keep the clubs solvent and they can focus their energies on building their support.

By: MV Dave

MV Dave — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:02:04 +0000

Have seen that also and would be fantastic particularly if they replace the old deal early. That is a 3-4 fold increase on the current deal and timing would be perfect for a start next season which is after the WC and with Heart to start then Rovers the year after. From what l’ve read would certainly be a huge boost to the local game and fly in the face of all the doomsayers. Look forward to hearing more in the not too distant future

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:54:41 +0000

I would be kind of dissapointed if it’s true and that includes the Socceroos.

I really wanted at least a small FTA component to grow the game (at the very least the Socceroos on FTA) and the clubs already get 1.7 to 1.9m a year from the TV deal.

So if true its news but not great (or horrible) news…..just news.

By: Art Sapphire

Art Sapphire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:44:23 +0000

Off topic -but could be massive news – Can some confirm that Daily Telegraph reported that FFA and Fox Sports are in the advanced stages of agreeing a new five year deal worth $300m. It was printed in todays paper but it is not online.
It was also reported that each club will be getting a $3million from the deal to help them cover salaries and travel.

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:41:50 +0000

You poor Victorians growing up with only ovals…. Swan Street will blow you away!

By: Punter

Punter — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:40:11 +0000

Art, most of time I agree with what you say, but this week the boys from Sydney will complete a rare double
(like Central Coast Marniers) on Melbourne victory (little v). It should be great , can’t wait 1 v 2 & after this weekend the positions will be reversed.

By: Art Sapphire

Art Sapphire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:36:24 +0000

Wait till next season Axel when we play at the Bubbledome. If you think the atmosphere is good at Etihad it will be fantastic at Etihad. You will never want to go back to Etihad to watch a game of football ever again.

By: Axelv

Axelv — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:25:03 +0000

I don’t agree with that, I think the views at Docklands are 4x better than TV. You can see everything that is unfolding clearly in the game, and you get to relax and soak up a beautiful atmosphere, not just a 2D 1/4 section of the pitch like on TV.

I fall under the casual supporter category, but for me, it’s not about how well Melbourne are doing in the league, i just want to see some football and pray that we get the 3 points! I go to around 5 matches per season, as i live a very long way from city, it takes 3 hours of travel, up and back, door to door, to get to the stadium, and it’s quite costly in match ticket, train and beer, it all adds up!

By: Art Sapphire

Art Sapphire — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 04:26:41 +0000

I am not factoring the away fans – Its just that you would expect Robbie to bring a few people thru the gates. The best attended Sydney FC game so far this season was when they hosted Fury – 16,699.