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Has Xmas come early for football? The Socceroos head to the World Cup, the A-League is in it’s fifth season, W-League live on ABC TV, and the grassroots continuing to expand. All would seem well in roundball round.
All, it is, except the crowds at the A-League games this season. So news of a new increased TV deal will be welcome, especially to all the investors in A-League clubs.
And clearly Fox Sports are putting their money into a game that will, in their view, continue to expand across the country.
Here’s an abbreviated version of the two articles in yesterday’s Daily 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.”
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