Is it football or TV? The A-League’s key question
Roar Rookie Upon viewing the recent Channel 9 mini-series Howzat, it got me thinking about the relationship between football and sports broadcasting, something I feel hasn’t yet been fully thought out.
There is a scene in the second episode of Howzat where cricket players are working with Channel Nine officials to choose the right ball to use for night cricket.
Packer’s revolution insisted on the white ball for the ease of television viewers.
During the discussion, Clayton Weston (in the role of Ian Chappell) turns to asks a Channel 9 staff member “Is it cricket, or TV?”
This is a great question: one that’s totally relevant to the A-League today, and one that I feel hasn’t been fully answered yet.
My point is, if football is a sport first and foremost, then a team such as Wellington Phoenix should not be in the A-League, because Australia would be assisting a rival in developing their sporting talent and expertise.
However, if football is classed as television foremost, then a team such as Wellington Phoenix should stay in the A-League because TV rights and subsequent exposure with another country in the league is increased by a factor of four million people, expanding the market and making things more attractive for sponsors.
For the A-League to move onward and upward, I feel that someone needs to ask the question, right now, “Is it football, or is it TV?”
It’s the only way we can keep in tune with the sports broadcasting revolution Kerry Packer helped instigate in the late 1970s.
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September 10th 2012 @ 8:13am
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 10th 2012 @ 8:13am | Report comment
“My point is, if football is a sport first and foremost, then a team such as Wellington Phoenix should not be in the A-League, because Australia would be assisting a rival in developing their sporting talent and expertise.”
… huh? I’m sorry, but I don’t understand that logic?
1. Swansea is a Welsh team but it plays in the English Premier League, even thought the English FA is a separate entity to the Welsh FA and ENG & WAL compete against each other at international level. Wrexham & Cardiff also play in English football leagues.
2. AS Monaco is a team from Monaco, but they play in the French Ligue 2 and have won the French Ligue 1 Championship 7 times.
The money from TV rights is a significant source of income for all professional sport but, after 7 years with Foxtel as the sole broadcaster of HAL & AUS NT matches, I haven’t noticed any significant or undue influence placed on the HAL or FFA by Foxtel.
September 11th 2012 @ 2:14pm
Vic said | September 11th 2012 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Soccer needs to change to be more attractive to tele.
It needs to go to quarters and possibly lose a player or two to open up the game. Larger goals too would be something to consider as it is too low scoring. Remember the size of the goals was from the 19th century when men only stood at 5 foot 5 average. Now we are at least 6 foot and more athletic.
The penalty shoot out should look at how the old NASL used to do it to decide ties.
Soccer needs an overhaul. I think getting out of FIFA by the Anglo nations such as the UK soccer bodies, USA, Oz and NZ is a start. It has been hijacked by the French run FIFA which we all know is corrupt and self serving.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:07pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
Yes, 100% agree – terrific idea, Vic.
I can’t believe, we have to put up with such nonsense on the Football forum.
It’s a shame but, in recent months, the quality of The Roar football discussion has dropped dramatically, as a result of every thread being hijacked by people, who have no interest in discussing issues sensibly.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:10pm
wisey_9 said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
100% disagree – horrible idea, Vic.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:17pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
wisey_9 .. I’m sure you realise, I was being sarcastic.
I can’t believe the clowns – like Vic – who have no understanding of football and post rubbish on the football discussion board.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:23pm
wisey_9 said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
roger that Fuss. just felt I needed to show my 100% disapproval.
Vic – why would we need to change a product that currently attracts THE biggest TV deals in the world?
September 11th 2012 @ 5:04pm
apaway said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:04pm | Report comment
Dear oh Dear, let’s make the goals bigger. I wonder if Vic is Ian Brusasco in disguise? For those of you not familiar with the name, Brusasco actually RAN for the Soccer Australia chairmanship in the early 80s on a platform of “making the goals bigger to encourage more shots on goal.” He even lobbied FIFA over it until someone pointed out to him how much cost and effort would be involved in pulling down every full size set of goal posts in the world and replacing them with bigger ones.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:12pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
Doesn’t anybody on here think that a slight increase in goal size is a good idea, or something to look at? As someone pointed out earlier, goalies are almost 12 inches taller than they were when the goals were first conceived.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:21pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:21pm | Report comment
As a lifelong soccer fan, yes, I have always thought that an increase in the size of the goals would make the game far more interesting, that the game is poorly served by using dimensions dreamed up back in 1863 when people were 5 ft nothing. I would have thought it’s an obvious point.
I should add that the late Johnny Warren shared this view.
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 5:26pm
Bondy. said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
After 150 years the goalscoring average to this day still remians at 2.97,the scoring has not changed regardless of the keepers height. Another nonsensical point.
Perhaps you could move your posts in a yard or two ,so people can then see its difficult to score a goal in your game.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:32pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
Bondy – where do you get the 2.97 figure from? Is that a particular league? All leagues in the world? I can’t believe that the goalies increase in height has not made any difference at all. Not sure why people are defensive about this. Just putting the discussion out there.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:36pm
Titus said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
I don’t see what difference making bigger goals will have.
It is the difficulty of scoring that requires more skill to score and more excitement about scoring.
It is part of the reason that Football has evolved to be largely about skill, tactics and creativity as much as physicality and athleticism.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:50pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:50pm | Report comment
Titus – what do you mean it wouldn’t make a difference. If the height and width was increaased by say 10-15cm, then surely that would make a difference. You would probably find that the tactics would probably change with it, where players would be closed down even quicker.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:58pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
So, a couple of AFL blokes want the goals increased…
Yeah .. we’ll put that to the next FIFA Congress for a vote?
Here’s the scoop for my AFL-comrades … I couldn’t give a stuff what rules you change – and, we know how much you guys like changing rules – I’ll never pay 1 cent to watch that sport for the rest of my life.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:01pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:01pm | Report comment
I’m simply giving my opinion as a lifelong soccer fan.
I accept the reality is that it will never happen, but I reiterate that the late Johnny Warren was in favour of such a proposal about 20 years ago.
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 6:04pm
apaway said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
Canshaft, for what it’s worth, can you imagine how big a job it would be to change the size of every set of football goal posts in the world? Let’s not forget that while goalkeepers may have become bigger, so have strikers, who have also become quicker, more powerful and more skilful. There have also been changes in ball technology (sometimes with awful results – that stupid Adidas ball at the last WC as an example) as well as boot technology, which means players can strike with more power and swerve. Just because goalkeepers are taller doesn’t mean they are better – if that was the case, European clubs would be scouting the NBA for their custodians.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:09pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:09pm | Report comment
Fussball – no one is asking you to watch AFL, so just drop it. You have only been watching soccer live for 7 years, so don’t make out you are the voice of the game.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:15pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
@Camshaft
I think you’ve mentioned somewhere you’re about 15 years old?
It’s possible that I’ve been watching football since your parents were in nappies!
September 11th 2012 @ 6:16pm
Titus said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Well……I definitely think icehockey goals are too small, and the puck could be a bit bigger so you could see it on TV.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:23pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:23pm | Report comment
Excellent point, Titus …
Also, we must tell the Yanks to make the basketball ring a bit bigger? Maybe forget the ring – they should just get points for hitting the back board?
Tennis … they should get rid of the net.
Golf … well that’s too easy. Make the holes much much bigger – maybe they can use all those redundant basketball rings to re-size the holes on every green on every golf course.
Lots of work for all the sporting administrators.
The AFL fans have spoken!
September 11th 2012 @ 6:27pm
Punter said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:27pm | Report comment
I have always thought that if the game of Aussie Rules had a crossbar & a goalie & get rid of those funny side posts that gives you points when you miss, the game maybe more interesting. I mean everyone was going crazy in AFl when Karmichael Hunt kicked a goal after the siren. He was 20 metres out in front with no goalkeeper & no crossbar & even if he missed he would get a pt, give me break.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:32pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:32pm | Report comment
titus
definitely agree with that!! (re the puck)
Punter
a perfectly legitimate viewpoint
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 6:48pm
Reynoldsinski said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
I remember about 25 years ago, I thought that the goalie shouldn’t be allowed to pick the ball up after a pass back. I was going to mention it to some of my soccer mates, but thought I would get howled down.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:51pm
Bondy. said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
Fussball ,over the years i’ve heard this statement “move the posts” i’ve genuinely never understood why,players are still going to hit uprights or crossbars from shots and headers regardless of how wide they are.
But Golf, I dont understand why people want to change the rules or laws to games all the time if you made the hole in golf a bit bigger would it really enhance the game for a 65 yr old pensioner or eight yr old child,perhaps people in this country are just to brain washed by commercials with there sport.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:54pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:54pm | Report comment
Reynoldsinski
That’s an excellent example.
I too thought for many, many years that the whole concept of the back pass was just plain stupid.
Eventually the rest of the world caught up with our viewpoint.
It just goes to show that with patience, we can break through the ultra conservatism and head in the sand approach of the guardians of the game (who you’d trust about as far as you can throw them).
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 7:10pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
Fussball – not suggesting that all sports should be changed. Not even suggesting that the soccer goal should be changed, but just that it could be something up for discussion. Regarding your example of the golf hole, I’m sure that if no player managed to putt a ball within 90 minutes, then the authorities might look at making it bigger.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:23pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
Punter – great to hear that a Sydney boy like yourself was busy watching Gold Coast play Richmond up in Cairns. I’m sure we could convert you fully, as you seem to be up with everything that is going on.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:25pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:25pm | Report comment
“…I’m sure that if no player managed to putt a ball within 90 minutes, then the authorities might look at making it bigger.”
Thankfully, in real sports – sports with traditions & history & global reach – “the authorities” don’t make up rules over a pot of beer.
The authorities, don’t change the laws b/c talk-back radio callers ring up and say they’re upset.
As we saw with Goal Line Technology .. hours of consultation & discussion, before we even start testing out new ideas or undertaking months of research.
But .. what would Football know? We’re only the biggest sport in the world … we’re not the Strayian Game.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:43pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:43pm | Report comment
So 150 years is not enough history and tradition for you. Welll done on the global reach, I guess a bunch of compliant countries did as the English told them. Countries with a bit of backbone like Australia and the US, said no thanks, we’ve got our own.
September 11th 2012 @ 7:51pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:51pm | Report comment
“Countries with a bit of backbone like Australia and the US, said no thanks, we’ve got our own.”
Yet, there you are trying to export your allegedly great game to USA, China, NZ, PNG, etc. etc.
Yet, here you are talking about our insignificant little game & insignificant little competition when you’re in the middle of a week filled with exciting ARF stories: who’s going to make the Final 8 next year. which coach will be sacked, which new pubescent boys should we admire, was it a push in the back or not, etc. etc..
September 11th 2012 @ 4:19pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:19pm | Report comment
Vic
there are many English soccer fans who would agree with this.
The English should have been allowed to retain full control of the game, and robust English institutions should have been put into place to safeguard against corruption.
Once you let those flakey latins into the inner sanctum, it’s the beginning of the end.
Germans are starting to realise what a high price there is in supporting busted Southern European economies.
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 4:36pm
Bondy. said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:36pm | Report comment
How often do you ehtnically profile,you wouldn’t necassarily be use to that would you !.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:15pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
The people of Southern Europe are not necessarily a single ethnicity – so it is quite incorrect to be talking about ethnic profiling.
But speaking as an economist, yes, they all have busted up economies.
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 4:52pm
Punter said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:52pm | Report comment
Why would we want to change something that attracts the biggest TV deals in the world, the biggest attendances, the biggest sponsorships, employs more people than any other sport, has by far the biggest revenue, a World cup that is truly the no 1 sporting event in the world & on & on.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:06pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Because you haven’t captured the biggest sporting nation in the world yet – the USA. That’s why your points about attendances and no. 1 sporting event are not true.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:26pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
I’ve said this before and i’ll say it again,the Americans think the Indy 500 is a fantastic sporting event.Now people that watch cars go round in circles for hours on end are not people you want to share sporting tastes with..
September 11th 2012 @ 5:39pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
And the Spanish think watch a bull being slaughtered is a great sporting event as well. I take it that you don’t mind sharing their sporting tastes though?
September 11th 2012 @ 6:03pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:03pm | Report comment
Not a bull fighting fan at all,i do share their love for football though yes.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:23pm
Punter said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:23pm | Report comment
Canshaft, it has not captured the US market, but it’s in the US market, it’s the 2nd biggest football code in the US & there is a large market for the game there probably even bigger than AFL in Australia,
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in world!!!! You don’t have to like it but it’s fact. AFL is biggest sport in Australia, though in my state it’s quite small, I accept it, even though I don’t like it.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:25pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Larger goals?,my god,lets get rid of the keeper as well while we’re at it.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:25pm
Bondy. said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Footballs the most popular sport in the world to watch and to participate in we out participate aussie rules with kids in Victoria by about 100,000 that rarely gets mentioned, the non enjoyment to say aussie rules is that its not a close contest at all,most sports punters who understand afl say theres going to be a margin of 60 points the bookmakers have the margin at eighty five, thats not enjoyment I seriously have no idea how people can turn up to an event knowing that the likely margin of defeat is sixty points it makes no sense. Also buy giving people lots of goal scoring say 134 vs 88 they become use to it and dont value point scoring as greatly as other sports do. I’ll give you an example Vic here,this is football vs aussie rules,my point being here is your supporters dont value goal scoring correctly there no passion for goals scoring look.
(
High scoring games generally dont envoke greater intensity or passion look at test cricket.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:34pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Bondy
You’ve made your case out well.
The evidence is irrefutable.
What I learned:
1. Soccer appears to be the sole domain of young males, whereas Australian Football is followed more by families.
2. Adelaide Crows get triple the crowds of Adelaide United (not that there is anything wrong with that).
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 5:43pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:43pm | Report comment
The Adelaide United fans though smaller in number,seem to be having loads more fun though.Not that theres anything wrong with sitting and clapping.
September 11th 2012 @ 5:59pm
Canshaft said | September 11th 2012 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
True, I can’t understand why those Crows fans weren’t getting more excited during the half-time break.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:27pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:27pm | Report comment
No no i was referring to the crowd reactions after goals were scored.Which brings us back to enlarging the goals to make the game more exciting for the fans,would it do so?.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:37pm
Bondy. said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
TC.
Ludicruos statement to make football is a sport thats almost now 50/50 in particicpation with females netballs the only other one that would be bigger or swimming,do you associate yourself with 10 yr old girls playing vic rules ?.
You make the point adelaide get three times as many to an afl game congratulations well done ,but where there as a sport and plenty of others arent and wont be.We’ll always be the thorne in your arse Cattery as a sport.
Your approaching the end of your season now its nearly over and half of you lot are trying to change the rules and laws to football globally,its a strange obsessionyou have,dont you really care about your sport.
September 11th 2012 @ 4:29pm
Griffo said | September 11th 2012 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
Troll bait guys, don’t fall for it!
Unless you want to up the comment counter then it’s ‘Talley Ho!’…
September 11th 2012 @ 6:30pm
Punter said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:30pm | Report comment
I know Griffo, but this is our off season & we have no games to discuss, these guys have their finals on & they waste time on a football thread!!!!
September 11th 2012 @ 6:38pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:38pm | Report comment
As sports fans, we are capable of walking and chewing gum.
The important thing is that we partake in what w enjoy – discussing sport.
As a lifelong soccer fan, I note that there has been a lot of big soccer news the past week, and so there has been plenty of material to ponder.
TC
September 11th 2012 @ 6:48pm
Punter said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
I totally agree, I also enjoy watching sport. Every Sunday I watch Australia’s most popular spectator sport as I walk with thousands upon thousands watching the surfers surfing the coastline. The True Australian sport.
September 11th 2012 @ 6:55pm
TC said | September 11th 2012 @ 6:55pm | Report comment
A bit of fresh air helps clear the head.
TC
September 10th 2012 @ 8:42am
Lucan said | September 10th 2012 @ 8:42am | Report comment
“increased by a factor of four million people”:
Sorry to be a pedant, but “Factor” is a reference to a divisible or multiple. “Additional four million people” would’ve been more accurate.
Football, the sport, doesn’t lend itself to the change of format, etc., that cricket needed to in the 70′s and 80′s.
September 10th 2012 @ 10:32am
Ian Whitchurch said | September 10th 2012 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Lucan,
The Bosman ruling and the Champions League isnt quite World Series Cricket, but it certainly rhymes with it.
September 10th 2012 @ 8:43am
Ian Whitchurch said | September 10th 2012 @ 8:43am | Report comment
“My point is, if football is a sport first and foremost, then a team such as Wellington Phoenix should not be in the A-League, because Australia would be assisting a rival in developing their sporting talent and expertise.”
Helping NZ develop is good for the code in Australia. Means more players looking to go over the ditch, means more exposure to fans and means more companies that are interested in sponsorships.
September 10th 2012 @ 9:31am
AndyRoo said | September 10th 2012 @ 9:31am | Report comment
They even play in a separate Confederation so it’s very unlikely we will have to play them in a competitive senior mens fixture.
September 10th 2012 @ 10:17am
Tigranes said | September 10th 2012 @ 10:17am | Report comment
I dont follow the argument that having Wellington in the HAL undermines the sport of soccer – as long as Wellington does well on the field they have every right to be in the HAL, didnt they draw capacity crowds (over 35K) to their final series a few years ago, something that most HAL teams are unable to do.
September 10th 2012 @ 10:48am
TC said | September 10th 2012 @ 10:48am | Report comment
A NZ presence is very important for soccer in this country.
We have moved away from clubs supported by specific ethnic groups, and going mainstream means finding supporters in big centres of population, representing a city, and to be honest, here in Australia, we run out of big cities very, very quickly.
That’s where NZ comes in.
TC
September 12th 2012 @ 4:14pm
Acchi said | September 12th 2012 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
We’ve moved away from ethnic clubs have we? Right, but Wellington is classed “non-Australian”, so does that make them ethnic too?
September 10th 2012 @ 11:22am
Brendo said | September 10th 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
The whole point of the that comment in “Howzat” was to show that the old way of thinking that cricket could run indendently without any consideration with its commerical succes was disappearing. The fact is TV and media are completely linked with the development of the sport because without TV money there is no professionism in sport.
September 10th 2012 @ 12:15pm
Midfielder said | September 10th 2012 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
The reason for the whitye ball was becauise they were playing at night and they could not see the red ball..
Football as other codes did the same thing when they started playing at night… the changed the colour of the ball to white so it could be seen…
Football needs to be on FTA TV to grow… the question is SBS or Ten …. one has a bigger audience the other will treat football with respect.
September 10th 2012 @ 2:49pm
wisey_9 said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Ray Gatt (from The Australian) has being saying on Twitter that one live game a week on SBS is looking most likely.
I think this will be simulcast on Fox Sports (similar to how the AFL deal works).
September 10th 2012 @ 3:43pm
Punter said | September 10th 2012 @ 3:43pm | Report comment
This is great news FTA (one live game a week) will only add interest to the A-League, especially a couple with a certain Del Piero playing. Hopefully this will also help SBS & Foxtel working together.
September 10th 2012 @ 5:45pm
nk7792 said | September 10th 2012 @ 5:45pm | Report comment
In ‘Howzat’, they decided that the yellow ball was the best for night cricket but the yellow ball ‘flares up’ on the cameras. That’s why they move to the white ball and that’s when the comment is made ‘is this cricket or TV’. The point is, the best thing for the game may not be exactly the best thing for TV and thus a compromise had to be made.
September 10th 2012 @ 12:20pm
Bondy. said | September 10th 2012 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
We all know where Cricket is now stuck between modes their now not sure which one is benificial. I understand where the authors coming from “cunning” we have an abligation to football in New Zealand and should always help guide the nation,even though there in a better position than us now.
Ive been somewhat criitcal of the HAL not being on FTA it doesnt bother me anymore FOX do a superb job and should hold the rights for the next deal.
September 10th 2012 @ 12:39pm
Bondy. said | September 10th 2012 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
This is almost on a topic i’ve been thinking about for a few days now.With the Hyundai A league season fast approaching I thought to myself what connection does my sport have with TV companies such as Fox and SBS.
I notice these stations generally rabbit on about a full blown technique out of the la masia academy, or with Fox sports FC they spend a great deal of valued timed speaking about the Prem Lge ?. Its Australian Football I want not English. Why not more football stories from active club members within the Australian community their stories explained on TV and also as to why they purchesd season tickets to the Victory, interviews from the likes of T Pignata, Why am I only reading stories about WSW supposed holligan element, why isnt there variety with a football show in Australia has anybody else noticed its deadly serious and most football people look concerend of being on TV.
I’d love to see a variety football programme something like Santo Sam and Ed that makes you laugh and makes you feel good that takes a light hearted look at the game domestically and internationally. Remember Santo Sam and Ed where just mucking around with their world cup show imagine if they got in depth. Look at afl as a sport beautifully choreagraphed for theIr illusion on TV. Midfielder Fussball @others i’d like your thoughts please.
September 10th 2012 @ 1:53pm
TC said | September 10th 2012 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
It’s an interesting point.
There are stacks of AFL shows (on TV, radio and websites) that cover a broad range of material, including those shows that exist solely for a bit of a laugh (Coodabeen Champions, been running for 30 years now, maybe more). I think that the reason why the Coodabeens works so well is because:
1. first and foremost, they are footy people, follow the game at all levels, so when they poke fun at the game, we understand where they are coming from, we understand the gags, we understand the underlying story, the history involved, the culture, whatever it might be;
2. there is a massive fan base willing to join in the banter and have a laugh with them.
You’ll find similar shows in England focusing on soccer.
So that is the key question for all soccer fans: are you at such a level of maturity (in this country) where you can poke fun at your own game?
Is there enough history and background story to sustain such shows? Is the fan base there?
TC
September 10th 2012 @ 2:19pm
Reynoldsinski said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
I think the fan base is there, as you probably wouldn’t have to be a die-hard football fan to enjoy a show done really well. Big question marks on the maturity, history and background stories though. Probably best to ignore the history (or lack of) angle I would think.
September 10th 2012 @ 2:58pm
wisey_9 said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
I’d love a show similar to Soccer AM – showing all the goals from the HAL plus the state leagues.
The NSW PL released their Goal of the Year Nominees a couple of weeks ago, and there are some quality strikes in there. Check it out here – http://theblogfc.com.au/2012/09/04/2012-nsw-premier-league-goal-of-the-year/
September 10th 2012 @ 4:25pm
Bondy. said | September 10th 2012 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
September 11th 2012 @ 7:34pm
Evan Askew said | September 11th 2012 @ 7:34pm | Report comment
@ TC. I think you’ll find most Aussie Football fans are mature enough to be able to poke fun at their sport of choice. This is evidenced by the popularity of Santo, Sam and Ed during the 2010 World Cup. Of course it does depend on who is poking the fun. If you have a show with a panel mnade up of Peter Fitzsimons, Sam Newman, Andy Johns and say Will Anderson for example. You’ll find that most Aussie football fans will not take too kindly to that. But a panle with Andy Paschalides, Greg Blake, The Arcopolis now guy and Ned Zelic would be more appreciated because they are all football people. It doesn’t have to be full blown football people. Someone like Jason Dunstall who is a fan of the game would be fine. But you’ll find the agro comes when people who are percieved to be enemies of the game comment on the sport and make statements presented as fact which can’t be backed up.
September 10th 2012 @ 2:15pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
@Bondy
Craig Foster was at a football forum in Melbourne on the week-end and it has been reported he said:
1. the new FFA Tv rights deal will be announced this week; and
2. there will be a FTA Tv component
Foster did not confirm or deny that the FTA Tv broadcaster will be SBS. But, if SBS were involved, I have no doubt SBS would ask the “Working Dog” production company to create a 1 hour show (45 minutes content) “Santo, Sam & Ed’s A-League Fever” or similar.
Interesting to note Santo, Sam & Ed’s WC football show on SBS rated much higher – and was broadcast for 30 consecutive days – than their weekly General Sports show on Ch 7, which lasted about 4-6 shows!
Additionally, FoxSports has announced on Twitter that it will also produce a brand new comedy/A-League segment that will screen on FoxSports titled: “The B-Leauge” hosted by comedians Sam McMillan & Julian Schiller with Mark Bosnich & Adam Peacock.
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/thebleaguefoxsports or follow on Twitter: @thebleague
AUS football is ready to explode … without using flares!
September 10th 2012 @ 2:31pm
Bondy. said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
I’m glad my point was understood. Football on tele is/has been so serious. I dont think Craig would’ve mention the fact if they didnt. Santo Sam and Eds world cup almost got as much traction than the sport itself.
Never heard of coodabeen champs. Meow.
September 10th 2012 @ 3:10pm
BigAl said | September 10th 2012 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Well, you may(or may not ?) have heard of Simon Whelan – Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, most recently in the media spotlight for handing down the latest sentence on Tony Mokbel.
However his biggest media days were when he was a (founding?) member of The Coodabeens…
September 10th 2012 @ 2:59pm
Bondy. said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
September 10th 2012 @ 3:13pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | September 10th 2012 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
Anything with Mark Bosnich in it instantly becomes comedy anyway so that should be a good show.Santo,Sam & Ed really need to do a weekly football show,maybe straight after serious analysis of the World Game.
September 10th 2012 @ 2:41pm
Griffo said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
I’ve thought for a while now that The World Game on Monday nights on SBS could be just entirely about the A-League and still need more than an hour. Plenty to talk about, Foz to get his tablet and Pen out and break down some of the plays for us, some fan perspectives, transfers, pre-season, up and coming players, tracking the international teams, get some of the A/W/Y-League players to show a move, trick or technique for the younger fans to practice on and then get Mum or Dad to upload a clip to YouTube to inspire others…to me, the program tries to fit in too much now about other nations’ leagues and dilutes the details of our own that we as fans are craving (and towards the end of a long off-season the appetite is rabid).
There is really plenty that could be done, and the above would be better on FTA than Foxtel particularly for the youth and ‘Move of the Week’ segment but nothing wrong with all those networks having a go as it benefits the game – which is important.
For TV rights I think we definitely need FTA. I don’t have Foxtel but by all accounts they are doing OK. We know SBS will love and respect the game, even if they in recent years realise the A-League’s early beginnings in quality were part of it’s growing pains and can appreciate where it is going now. TEN, well, with money to burn and a need for some team sport to chew the fat over, could be interesting. I think a bidding war is too much to hope for, but I wouldn’t mind if all three shared the rights, and more importantly the footage (I know, I’m dreaming), so that everyone can see and talk about the game from their respective points-of-view. That would be another sign of the game growing.
Don’t get me started on online rights…very excited if that meets my expectations.
September 10th 2012 @ 2:51pm
Bondy. said | September 10th 2012 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
See my point is i’ll watch someone like Sam Newman ” I find funny ” if i’m awake, but dont watch the sport,so their still making a connection with me.