FFA Football TV Rights announcement: Live blog, updates
117 Have your say
Socceroos player Tim Cahill competes for the ball with Japan's Makoto Hasebe. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
The FFA have called a press conference for 11:30am AEDT this morning, with reports suggesting that the long-awaited new TV-rights deal will be announced. Join us for updates and news as it comes to hand.
The Roar understands that the details of the TV rights deal have been agreed upon and it was the ability of the Federal Government to supply funding for SBS TV’s part of the deal that has held back the announcement until today.
Speculation and rumours:
$?: It is believed that the ballpark figures of the TV rights deal are upwards of $39 million per year, covering both the A-League and the Socceroos.
A-League:
It is expected there will be a split between subscription TV broadcaster Fox Sports, and free to air channel SBS.
Fox Sports, the current broadcaster of all five A-League games per round, are believed to be showing all five games, with SBS to broadcast one game per week.
SBS is also rumoured to be programming a new a weekly-highlights show each week.
Socceroos: It is expected that Fox Sports will retain full rights to live games, where games are not covered by the Federal Government’s anti-siphoning laws (eg. FIFA World Cup matches).
It is believed that some Socceroos matches will also be available on SBS, on a one-hour delay, but this is unclear.
However, the speculation will end at 11:30am and we’ll have all the news and updates for you as they come to hand.
–
CONFIRMED DETAILS
Overviews of announcement: New deal commencing from 1 July 2013
- $160m deal over 5 years.
- $148m cash
- Fox Sports continues as primary broadcaster
- AFC Asian Cup broadcaster – exclusively live coverage of all 32 matches
(The average yearly licence fee for these broadcast arrangements is double the annual fee of the existing broadcast arrangements.)
SBS will provide free-to-air World Cup Qualifiers on delay
SBS: 2013/14 season – provides live free-to-air game on Friday
SBS will show finals games on delay
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The Crowd Says (117) | Page 1 of Comments
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12:28am
Midfielder said | 12:28am | Report comment
Good summary from SBS Shout Out … on SBS involvement in the broadcast deal…
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/2306148568/Shootout
10:31pm
Midfielder said | 10:31pm | Report comment
Hope SBS can maintain their standard…
8:38pm
V bomber said | 8:38pm | Report comment
Interesting that this deal flows against a key recommendation of the 2011 Government Smith report. That report recommended FFA maximse it’s dollar return in this broadcast deal by the govt – via anti-syphoning legislation -not mandating live free to air football (hence leverage to squeeze more out of pay tv). I was not happy with this short sighted approach. It is great to see FFA take a longer term view which gives rise to a significant FTA component. This would have undoubtedly reduced the dollar figure that could have been gained had Fox been the sole broadcaster. But it exposes the A- league to the masses. This will have immense impact in the future. One may say ‘Short term pain for long term gain.’ Whilst more $ could have been gained via a fox only deal, $40 m per year is hardly much ‘pain’ to endure over the next 4 years.
7:57pm
Cappuccino said | 7:57pm | Report comment
Looks like a pretty good deal, and the four year timespan is perfect to ensure competitiveness with the other codes come renegotiation time. SBS Football Fridays will be fantastic on FTA, and the fact that the GF is only an hour delay on FTA is great. Slightly disappointing that we couldn’t get SBS involved in broadcasting the Asian Cup, but would’ve been tricky considering it’s not up to the FFA to sell those rights.
7:23pm
bart said | 7:23pm | Report comment
Nice work. Look forward to football with a beer on fidays…when not at a game of course.
5:39pm
Australian Rules said | 5:39pm | Report comment
Great deal for soccer in Australia…onwards and upwards.
…and Buckley departing on a high note after a lot of lifting – great to see.
6:23pm
MV Dave said | 6:23pm | Report comment
Yep agree with the comment on BB…had many difficulties during his time at FFA but in the end, when he left his post, the game has never been in a stronger position and he has to take some of the credit for that.
5:31pm
KP360 said | 5:31pm | Report comment
Big teams like Victory, Sydney and Wanderers to play frequently on a Friday night, as well as the derby/rivalry games?
6:01pm
MV Dave said | 6:01pm | Report comment
Hopefully on Friday nights;
MV vs MH x 3
SFC vs WSW x 3
AU vs MV x 2
NJ vs CCM x 2
NJ vs SFC
CCM vs SFC
BR vs SFC
BR vs MV
PG vs BR
AU vs PG
That’s 18 matches plus some other games dependant on ladder positions…
8:33pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | 8:33pm | Report comment
The CEO of SBS, Michael Ebeid, said that the Friday night games will be focusing on the clubs on the eastern seaboard but, of course, they’ll try to ensure all HAL teams get equal exposure over the 27 Fridays (could it be 36 Fridays next year?).
8:25am
Kasey said | 8:25am | Report comment
Hardly surprising. Of the 10 HAL teams 7 are based on the Eastern sea-board
(lets not even get into the sh*tfight that is QLDers and Daylight savings!)
Adelaide United have done really well out of championing the Friday Night timeslot in my city(we saw the disastrous effect of United’s least preferred timeslot of Sat 5pm* last week on attendance)
I fully expect my team to get the North Melbourne treatment (TM-AFL) starting season 2013-14
IIRC the ‘roos took a chance on pioneering Friday Night Footy only to be shafted out of FNF in the 90s and modern times by the AFL higher ups when the AFL decided the larger support bases of Collingwood, Carlton et al were better suited to pushing the AFL brand(full stadia look much better to potential sponsors than a partially filled Docklands stadium for NMFC games).
*re: 5pm Saturday timeslot…..think on this as if you are a family man…do you feed the kids early then head to the game or make them wait until after the game? Feeding kids at the game itself isn’t the healthiest or cheapest option. No wonder our (AU) two Saturday afternoon games have failed to even crack 9k!)
5:22pm
jamesb said | 5:22pm | Report comment
First of all, well done to Ben Buckley. He has made mistakes, but I’m sure this tv deal has alot of Buckleys fingerprints on it along with Lowy.
Secondly, the length of the deal -4 years is just as important as the monetary side of things. It doesn’t allow the code to become stagnant. The first couple of years, everyone will be excited with the new cash injections, and the Socceroos and A-league on FTA.
But by year three and four of the deal, everyone will glance towards the new deal commencing 2017. Very important that A_league and Socceroos are on FTA. We just saw on the weekend that the Australian Masters Golf was on Pay Tv which always used to be on FTA. So if anything Football on FTA shouldn’t be taken for granted.
So for 2013-2017, time for stability. That happens, than it sets up well for the deal of 2017- 2021 /22?
8:01pm
whiskeymac said | 8:01pm | Report comment
Perhaps makes qualifying for 2018 more pressing too, but thats a cycle the NT have now with the qualifiers (if not the tournament with separate rights) only becoming increasingly close and contested.
5:12pm
MV Dave said | 5:12pm | Report comment
If we keep doubling the TV Rights fee every 4 years Football will be well placed to bring in some super marquees over the coming years…
Today’s announcement just Keeps the good news coming…our little ol,HAL is positioning itself for some exciting times ahead.
FTA coverage is massive and games such as the Melbourne and Sydenee Derbies will become even bigger with the whole of Oz able to watch.
Onwards and upwards for HAL…
4:17pm
The_Wookie said | 4:17pm | Report comment
Great Deal for the FFA. And well deserved. By the time it comes up again, I expect it to almost if not completely surpass crickets deal.
IIRC 4 years also brings it up for renewal at the same time as the AFL.
4:57pm
mahonjt said | 4:57pm | Report comment
Thats right – its the best part of this deal – the timing,,,
3:43pm
The Kebab Connoisseur said | 3:43pm | Report comment
Thanks go to Ben Buckley on this deal. The NRL Gaulllop chap has yet to get his laptop configured yet, so he cannot take any of the credit as yet.
In 4 years, if the tele rights bring in 300 odd million then he can crow. Until then solicitor, just stick to doing me taxes!
3:05pm
Ballymore said | 3:05pm | Report comment
I am concerned that the 2015 Asian Cup will be hidden on Fox Sports.
3:18pm
TC said | 3:18pm | Report comment
There were a few last minute negotiables that delayed the announcement of the new deal.
I suspect this may have been one of them.
Fox probably played hard ball to maintain exclusive rights to the Asian Cup, and the cost to the FFA was going to be immense in watering down those rights.
TC
4:05pm
Ballymore said | 4:05pm | Report comment
Thanks TC,
I assume there is no chance of this changing in the lead up to Jan 2015?
4:25pm
Matt F said | 4:25pm | Report comment
Now that the deal is signed it’s all locked away. If SBS were to offer Foxtel extra cash for sharing those rights then it might change but you’d think that if they were going to do that then they would have done it while negotiating this deal.
4:39pm
Bric Tamlin of the Pants Party said | 4:39pm | Report comment
All the more reason to get to the stadiums,definatley a good time for this west coast native to see abit more of the east coast seeing we’re not included.
5:00pm
mahonjt said | 5:00pm | Report comment
To be fair, its probably in the best interests of the tournament – get the locas going to matches. Having said that, I am sure the FFA might have liked the dollars – but I am suprsed it was theirs to sell – what about the AFC in all of this?
5:11pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | 5:11pm | Report comment
Ballymore
The 2015 Asian Cup broadcast rights are not owned by the FFA so they do not form part of the deal. These rights are owned by the Asian Football Confederation or, they may now be owned by The World Sports Group, who have bought bundle of TV rights from the AFC.
In the same way, the FIFA World Cup rights are owned by FIFA – not the FFA – and SBS has bought the TV rights to the 2014 & 2018 FIFA WC from FIFA – not from the FFA. SBS has also purchased the TV rights to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
7:13pm
Ballymore said | 7:13pm | Report comment
Thanks Fuss.
2:46pm
Titus said | 2:46pm | Report comment
Overall, pretty exciting.
Fridays nights are definitely the way to go, all football fans no matter their code are hanging out for a couple of beers and football come friday night, these games should do well.
I believe he said HAL finals games on delay for SBS also, or did I mishear that?
I think on one level we all want to see more money so we can begin investing heavily in junior development and grassroots but as Lowy said, it’s the next deal that will be the gamechanger. I liked what the foxtel guy had to say, the game has been on a good tragectory since last season, football is one of the most exciting emergences on the Australian sporting and media landscape and all parties are interested in helping it see its potential, which is large.
1:45pm
Midfielder said | 1:45pm | Report comment
Fox much the same as is, Fox has exclusive rights to broadcast the Asian Cup in 2015, and Socceroo matches other than WCQ.
Under the agreement, SBS has the rights to:
• One LIVE Hyundai A-League match per week on a Friday night;
• All Hyundai A-League Finals Series matches on a one hour delay;
• The Hyundai A-League Grand Final on a one hour delay;
• A weekly highlights show;
• Online and mobile rights including simultaneous streaming and highlights; and
Radio rights.
• One hour delay of world cup qualifiers for Socceroos.
37 Million in cash per year plus 3 million in marketing set-offs.
To the above needs to be added approximately 6 million per year that will be received by FFA from the Asian Football Confederation.
Personal thought’s… HHHHHMMMM on balance given where we are right now an OK deal. However we are paying my estimate between 10 & 15 million because of the failed Gold Coast & North QLD teams and if WSW had been the expansion team then a much much better deal could have been done… see the table below of this year and consider if this was what was being looked at instead of last season.
R1…C- 93, 500… TV 541, 000
R2…C- 81, 832… TV 498, 000
R3…C_ 70, 319… TV 407, 000
R4…C- 63, 557… TV 453, 000
R5…C- 65, 593… TV 500, 000
R6…C- 51, 788… TV 475, 000
R7…C- 73, 424… TV 427, 000
My understanding is we are on a tad more than Rugby Union, have a FTA match and the WCQ with a FTA network that will show respect. On balance a step in the right direction and I am glad the name games will be FTA even if delayed.
Overall we are another step on the journey and thank God its only a four year deal ….
2:43pm
Emric said | 2:43pm | Report comment
I think its about the same neither really wins in this regard as the Rugby cash injection is divided over 5 when the Soccer payment is divided over 10 – The Rugby Union has a higher cash injection in pure terms once its factored in the money paid out in USD rather then AUD and its fixed at the 2010 exchange rate of approx 20% which gives a 20% boost.
Anyway this isn’t a competition its a good deal for the A-League and it should stop clubs going under
3:03pm
Bondy. said | 3:03pm | Report comment
Mid , good point in suggesting the A League is actually going to a station who doesnt see the sport as a rival,unlike the Rugby situation.
Personally I would be very nervous if the commercial networks got anywhere near our HAL.
I remember you did a thread about this deal a while back and I think Tc’s guestimates were a little closer,didnt you say 45 Tc.
You might do a write up Mid to see where that monies best spent “food for thought”.
3:32pm
JAJI said | 3:32pm | Report comment
Also revenue wise add the following:
1) $8m USD if we qualify for Brazil 2014
2) Government grants at many levels of football
3) Corporate sponsors of the FFA
4) The clubs player transfers – look at the CCM – how much went into Tommy rogic and how much will they sell him for? The other codes dont have these sources of revenue
4:07pm
Ballymore said | 4:07pm | Report comment
4) – Funny you mention CCM. Mat Ryan can leave on a free in June. I hope his contract is extended so he can be sold, rather than leave for nothing.
6:29pm
asanchez said | 6:29pm | Report comment
Hence why the talk of him going to Hull City in January.
If he does go, they’ll have to buy him, which will bring money to the Mariners.
I hope he doesn’t go in January and he re-signs. He’s that good a keeper, with age on his side, that he can pick and choose where & when he wants to go overseas. He’ll get many opportunities.
12:48pm
Ian said | 12:48pm | Report comment
seeing friday night games will be awesome and it will generate interest for the other a-league games for the rest of the weekend.
12:29pm
Punter said | 12:29pm | Report comment
Best news about this is the FTA TV for SBS. This will take the game to alot more people, this is as important as the $160M.
Under the agreement, SBS has the rights to:
• One LIVE Hyundai A-League match per week on a Friday night;
• All Hyundai A-League Finals Series matches on a one hour delay;
• The Hyundai A-League Grand Final on a one hour delay;
• A weekly highlights show;
• Online and mobile rights including simultaneous streaming and highlights; and
• Radio rights.
1:39pm
Griffo said | 1:39pm | Report comment
All good news for the four years of the new agreement and a further platform to build on.
I am intrigued though by the “Online and mobile rights including simultaneous streaming and highlights“.
Does that mean the game (HAL live or Socceroos delayed) will be streamed online as well as we are currently seeing from SBS?
Hopefully highlights might become a more than the two minute summary – 20 minutes or full highlights would be good if you miss the live game.
This announcement just keeps the momentum going.
2:02pm
TC said | 2:02pm | Report comment
We can only guess what is meant by : “Online and mobile rights including simultaneous streaming and highlights“.
Presumably it means that SBS will be able to do the game at the same time as its TV broadcast, i.e. one hour delay, but what does it mean for the Fox transmissions?
It seems unlikely that they would open it up for all on its website – maybe they can limit it to Fox subscribers?
I’m not sure.
TC
3:22pm
Michael said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Doesn’t it say 5 year deal?
4:06pm
Matt F said | 4:06pm | Report comment
It’s a 4 year deal. July 1 2013 to June 30 2017.
4:14pm
Michael said | 4:14pm | Report comment
Thanks
2:32pm
Brisvegas said | 2:32pm | Report comment
Let’s just hope the SBS game is live to all of Australia at the same time and not just to those with daylight saving.
12:24pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | 12:24pm | Report comment
Australian Football comes home—-well done SBS
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1129433/Football-returns-to-free-to-air-TV-on-SBS
No GCU, but at least I can watch the National Football team without that twit Slater making stupid comments.
12:30pm
Punter said | 12:30pm | Report comment
Hey QAF, hope all is well!!!!
12:43pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | 12:43pm | Report comment
Thanks Punter, but No…! SFC and Chelsea not travelling well—-hoping for a big reversal in form soon for both teams.
12:50pm
Punter said | 12:50pm | Report comment
yes I share your disappointment about SFC, there is some major problems there. Great to see Del Piero play & hear the crowd sing Del Piero, Sydney’s No 10, never thought I’d hear that. But, the rest of the team…….
At least with Chelsea you do get to see Hazard, Matta & Oscar & knowing they will get better, what a lovely trio of players.
1:49pm
Midfielder said | 1:49pm | Report comment
Punter
The A-League needs SFC to get its act together… my tho’s in Tony P you have a great CEO and I am sure the season will get better..
2:28pm
Punter said | 2:28pm | Report comment
Yes Mid, I agree, at present like you I put aside all rivalries, I want the A-League to succeed even if it means cheering for GWS against Perth.
I was hoping for better days with Tony P, Gary Cole plus of course Del Piero & Emerton, but something is still not right.
Mate great days to be a CCM fan, playing some wonderful football, shows you whate a decent coach can do.
3:16pm
TC said | 3:16pm | Report comment
Punter
your open-minded attitude to all sports is refreshing, heaven knows, GWS needs all the support it can get.
TC
3:28pm
Punter said | 3:28pm | Report comment
Did I say GWS, I did!!!! I meant WSW of course. It’s been a big day for the A-League.
Unfortunately my interest in GWS ended when Falou decided to call it quits, think just go back to supporting the Swans.
3:54pm
Matt F said | 3:54pm | Report comment
While we’re clearly struggling on-field we’re probably more stable off-field then we’ve ever been. The foundations are all there to really kick on and if we get the coaching appointment right we can really take off (though it might take a season to turn over the players in our defence!)
3:56pm
Midfielder said | 3:56pm | Report comment
TC
Saw the other day Eddie M was saying GWS & GC getting to many concessions… older Melbourne teams also need help… I remember AD offering some clubs a relocation to WS and they said no and he said be it on your head or words to that affect… anything in what Eddie was saying..
4:14pm
TC said | 4:14pm | Report comment
Mid
We have a draft – clubs rely on the draft to replenish their playing stocks.
GWS will now have dominated the first round of the draft two seasons in a row – unprecedented in AFL history (mind you, some of that came about via negotiations between them and other clubs).
Some clubs are concerned that draft concessions to the two new clubs have been too generous.
We’ll know the truth of that statement in five or six years time.
Suns did nothing special in their first two years in the comp.
Eddie is a club president, he has mainly the interests of his own club at heart (which, to be honest, is big enough and ugly enough to look after itself).
Club presidents will be outspoken if they think other clubs are getting something they are not getting – it’s only human nature. Not sure if there is too much more to say about it – people (from within and without) have a huge array of opinions on the merits or otherwise of the whole GWS project.
TC
1:02pm
Chris said | 1:02pm | Report comment
You’ll still have to hear Slater, SBS is simulcasting whatever Fox Sports does.
1:29pm
Qantas supports Australian Football said | 1:29pm | Report comment
Most probably watch the live Stream on SBS internet (mute) and listen to the SBS radio commentary team simulcast.. Where there is a will there is a way. (Until Fox get rid of Slater).
3:59pm
Midfielder said | 3:59pm | Report comment
Q
Good idea I do the same with the cricket .. BTW is it all Fox broadcasters or just Slater …
12:21pm
Whites said | 12:21pm | Report comment
Pretty much exactly what I’ve expected.
12:18pm
FFA Fan said | 12:18pm | Report comment
> Embedded to watch the stream here – not sure if it’ll work
11:32am
TC said | 11:32am | Report comment
It has been working for me.
11:40am
Bondy. said | 11:40am | Report comment
Great concept.
12:09pm
Ben Carter said | 12:09pm | Report comment
All Socceroo games in some form on SBS, one A-League game a week on SBS. As someone without FOXtel, I’m happy enough with that. Thanks to all at the FFA for their involvement in securing some broader coverage of the national team and domestic competition on SBS. Bravo!
12:08pm
Bric Tamlin of the Pants Party said | 12:08pm | Report comment
No real shocks there,basically the figures alot of people were expecting.Only dissapointment was not more FTA coverage scores of Aussie foootball supporters will continue to miss out the local league.Much better Socceroos coverage though.
12:10pm
Kasey said | 12:10pm | Report comment
Am happy that all finals will be on SBS one-hour delay, wasn’t expecting that..Imagine if that epic BNEv CCM GF of 2 years ago had been seen by more than just had Foxtel?
12:15pm
Jeff said | 12:15pm | Report comment
I would have liked to seen at least the GF if not some of the Final Series being shown live on SBS and Fox Sports, seeing it doesn’t feel right to be showing live regular-season games but not the finals live. Apart from that and the Socceroos being on SBS delayed – the deal is good for the game, fans and broadcasters
2:46pm
Kasey said | 2:46pm | Report comment
Being able to trumpet Live & Exclusive rights to HAL Finals is probably seen as a winning driver for subscriptions by FoxSports. Less money for the game in cash v SBS live coverage of Finals…its a delicate balance, but I think the FFA have got this one right at the moment. Lets see if I think the same after season 2013-14 when this deal comes into effect?
11:52am
TC said | 11:52am | Report comment
All done.
In summary, a 100% increase in value of the deal over the last one.
Well done to the FFA on negotiating such a good deal.
TC
11:53am
Matt Bungard said | 11:53am | Report comment
Agree with this. Future looks bright.
11:51am
Matt Bungard said | 11:51am | Report comment
“The salary cap will remain in it’s current state” – Lowy
11:57am
whiskeymac said | 11:57am | Report comment
This is interesting — FFA better able to cover it more with the new money and keep the owners happy.
12:13pm
Kasey said | 12:13pm | Report comment
I’m sure the PFA will be eager to have a quick word on that. Salary cap up by CPI would be no big problem I’d imagine. Biggest issue is the increase to the bench size and perhaps the abolishmet of the Salary cap floor, to let smaller clubs be smaller if they want to.
12:43pm
Matt F said | 12:43pm | Report comment
PFA will never give up the salary floor
12:46pm
Kasey said | 12:46pm | Report comment
Depends, if the owners give ground on the ceiling or offer something like the cap = a fixed percentage of HAL rights; they might be able to swing a deal. Lots of skilled negotiators circling the table on this one.
12:56pm
Matt F said | 12:56pm | Report comment
Maybe but they’d have to give up a lot to convince the PFA to give up the floor. There would have to a be a floor at some level anyway as there is a minimum wage that clubs have to pay, which I think is just under 50k. Surley the clubs wouldn’t have too much trouble paying the floor with the money from the new TV deal?
1:31pm
nordster said | 1:31pm | Report comment
Matt: Its not PFAs to “give up” …the clubs and their owners, supporters etc are the ones with more standing in this argument! Unless they are looking to resort to thuggish strike threats. The floor has so many flaws (sorry) its not worth keeping. Clubs get their tv money and if they want to invest that in coaches or facilities over player wages for a period of their choosing, its nothing to do with a union.
After all…even with a Collective bargaining agreement…unions are not compulsory and their influence should not be assumed. Its weird that a CBA applies to all players across the board even if they are not a member of the union. If its such a great thing, make it voluntary.
1:53pm
Matt F said | 1:53pm | Report comment
I’m not nescessarily a supporter of the floor, I can see good and bad issues re the floor, I’m just realistic enough to realise that it won’t be going anywhere.
I’m not sure that the clubs, supporters and owners do have as much standing as you think in this argument. Without the players there is no game. Nobody wants a strike but if the players feel like they’re being screwed over in the next CBA then they might resort to it, as unlikely as it would be. Sure the clubs can choose to invest their funds in other areas but the players can then also choose to play elsewhere. The floor will almost certainly be a non-negotiable demand that the PFA will take to the table. If the FFA and the clubs want to get rid of it then they’ll have to give up a lot in other areas to make it happen.
4:33pm
nordster said | 4:33pm | Report comment
Realisitic enough to see it wont be going anywhere? Hmmm that doesnt sound like much of a logical argument, no disrespect.
How would removing the floor result in the players being screwed over? The floor just forces clubs to spend on player wages at the expense of something else. Surely the clubs are the ones charged with making the strategic moves to make the game prosperous and sustainable over the long term.
Ultimately clubs being less restricted in their labour market dealings will make the whole game more viable. History and the present are littered with examples of industries and businesses driven into the ground by flawed but perhaps well meaning union priorities.
And thats not even getting into the issue of whether players are capable (along with their agents) of representing their own interests contracturally. Instead, u have a union appointing itself the compulsory voice for individual employees. Dunno what that says about what unions think of the capability of players.
7:04pm
Matt F said | 7:04pm | Report comment
In order to actually have players the FFA needs to come to a deal with the PFA, given that the PFA represent the players. If the players ever decided to leave the PFA then it wouldn’t be an issue but there have been no signs of that happening anytime soon. If they can’t come to an agreement then the players could decide to strike and there may not be an A-League for a period of time as there wouldn’t be any players. Obviously that would be a last resort but strikes in America (NHL, NBA) show that it can happen, as unlikely as it is.
What would be the benefit to the players of removing the floor? As you said yourself, if the floor is removed then clubs can spend less money on wages. This means that the players earn less money. Why on earth would the players agree to that? Removing the floor may have benefits for the clubs and the competition overall but not for the players and it’s hard to see the PFA agreeing to remove the floor.
8:37pm
nordster said | 8:37pm | Report comment
I guess we disagree on whether the players should even have the power to decide where the clubs spend their money. Their only interactions should be based on their individual contracts with their employers…the clubs…unions appoint themselves into the process by default…
In order to have players, clubs do and should negotiate individually…unions are an unnecessary part of the process
11:50am
TC said | 11:50am | Report comment
Some digital rights maintained by the FFA, but will be able to see simultaneous broadcasts on the Fox online platform.
11:49am
Matt Bungard said | 11:49am | Report comment
Lowy – “It will take another 3-4 years before the game is running at full capacity”
2:01pm
Kasey said | 2:01pm | Report comment
Coincidentally the length of this deal? (4 years)
In 3 years I fully expect the FFA to be in a much stronger position financially.
Lets not forget the doom and gloom that surrounded the game only 2-3 years ago. There were some sports opinion writers questioning the very sustainability/viability of the HAL. I think that question is put to bed once and for all with this deal.
2:17pm
whiskeymac said | 2:17pm | Report comment
2-3 years? try 9 months ago! =) its been a massive turn around since Tinkler gave his license back.
2:53pm
Kasey said | 2:53pm | Report comment
The exact nadir will be determined by historians, but yes the Tinkler Dummy-spit coming so close to the retraction of the GCU team certainly marked a low point for domestic football in Australia post 2005.
I can’t believe there were people on the Roar who were suggesting that just folding the GCU team would cause barely a ripple. They obviously do not know the way the media in this country operates..smell a bit of blood and they start circling to be the first to proclaim ‘Sokkah crisis!’
11:49am
TC said | 11:49am | Report comment
Some of the money will be directed to grassroots and developing the Socceroos.
2:13pm
Kasey said | 2:13pm | Report comment
Having the Socceroos back on FTA will also help, gives more kids across the country ‘access’ to their heros.
11:47am
Matt Bungard said | 11:47am | Report comment
Lowy mentions the stark contrast between the Gold Coast crowds and their replacement Wanderers. Hard to argue.
11:46am
TC said | 11:46am | Report comment
WSW very important in getting area tribalism going.
11:45am
TC said | 11:45am | Report comment
Frank Lowy says that you can look at Del Piero and the “other two” as icing on the cake.
12:04pm
Bric Tamlin of the Pants Party said | 12:04pm | Report comment
who Montgomery and Kessinger?
12:20pm
TC said | 12:20pm | Report comment
I imagine Lowy was thinking of Ono and Heskey, but he must have had momentarily forgotten their names (something we can all relate to I’m sure).
TC
2:18pm
Bric Tamlin of the Pants Party said | 2:18pm | Report comment
Im sure he was,that was an attempt at humour.
11:43am
Matt Bungard said | 11:43am | Report comment
Interesting comment here: Delany says Lowy pushed him “right to the edge” on the current deal and that the A-League “got every cent”
11:59am
Nathan of Perth said | 11:59am | Report comment
Tbh, I think those sort of comments always need to be taken with a grain of salt, just like some of the comments by Channel 9 after the NRL deal.
12:15pm
Kasey said | 12:15pm | Report comment
Considering how close ch9 went to being insolvent, maybe not the best example to use.
1:01pm
Nathan of Perth said | 1:01pm | Report comment
Whaaaa? It’s a brilliant example, it’s MY example! #ego
11:43am
TC said | 11:43am | Report comment
David Gallop says that it will cover the salary cap.
“There are many hungry mouths”
11:41am
TC said | 11:41am | Report comment
Frank Lowy says he is very happy with the deal.
11:41am
Matt Bungard said | 11:41am | Report comment
Frank Lowy answers the first question, saying he’s happy with the amount of money. Not sure what else he was going to say there.
11:38am
Matt Bungard said | 11:38am | Report comment
Patrick Delany talking now – Mentions the Fox Sports online app and the new partnership with SBS
11:35am
TC said | 11:35am | Report comment
11:35
They’ve gone to David Gallop now.
11:35am
Matt Bungard said | 11:35am | Report comment
$160m deal – FOX retain all live rights until 2017.
11:36am
Matt Bungard said | 11:36am | Report comment
That is for both the A-league and the Asian Cup.
SBS will get delayed coverage rights for all Socceroos games and one A-League fixture a week, and all finals matches.
11:41am
Nathan of Perth said | 11:41am | Report comment
One *delayed* A-League game per week?
11:53am
phutbol said | 11:53am | Report comment
one live game per week – Friday night
11:41am
Timmuh said | 11:41am | Report comment
I had hoped for two delayed games on FTA, but one is a big improvement on nothing; as are the additional Socceroo games. All finals being on FTA is good too.
I just hope we don’t get Sydney FC every week. Mix up the teams so that those without Fox get to see every club and all clubs get that extra exposure on a roughly equitable basis.
11:49am
whiskeymac said | 11:49am | Report comment
Agreed re one game and finals FTA and the size of the deal. Plus with roos being on FTA. Overall am a happy fan.
BB did good IMO.
11:50am
whiskeymac said | 11:50am | Report comment
“I just hope we don’t get Sydney FC every week.”
Dont worry when the finals are shown this won’t be an issue =)
11:54am
Dillian said | 11:54am | Report comment
agree with BB. Will be interesting whether Fox and SBS will push for particular games on a Friday night…
12:42pm
Matt F said | 12:42pm | Report comment
You’d like to think that they’d be shared around fairly evenly though I’d imagine that SFC, MV and BR would get a fair few. You won’t be seeing the Phoenix on Friday nights very often, though they’re not on friday’s too often now anyway
11:34am
Matt Bungard said | 11:34am | Report comment
Ok, we’re live with David Gallop…
11:34am
TC said | 11:34am | Report comment
11:34
They’ve gone to motor sport.
11:27am
Matt Bungard said | 11:27am | Report comment
Hey friends,
currently watching the end of Richo and Pappas on FSN before crossing to the FFA announcement. As a Souths fan and A-League fanboy, it’s a big morning for me.
11:29am
TC said | 11:29am | Report comment
Big news morning Matt.
Great innovation with the live stream.
TC
12:36pm
mahonjt said | 12:36pm | Report comment
What did they say about the live stream. Fox subscribers already have it – is there some sugestion non-subscribers might get access?
1:35pm
TC said | 1:35pm | Report comment
There was one question on the online rights, answered by Gallop, I put a brief summary in a post above.
He said something about the FFA maintaining “some” online rights, but he mentioned the FoxSports site as well – but didn’t get all of the answer, there wasn’t a lot of detail provided.
TC
11:14am
TC said | 11:14am | Report comment
Only 15 minutes to go.
I’m predicting a big jump in TV value from what was signed 7 years ago.
TC
11:17am
whiskeymac said | 11:17am | Report comment
brave prediction =)
12:32pm
Kasey said | 12:32pm | Report comment
This deal sets up the HAL to consolidate and put down a stable platform of steady growth allowing for a ‘blow-your- mind’
deal Next time.
1:50pm
Kasey said | 1:50pm | Report comment
Next up I wouldn’t be surprised if SBS ask for not only the finals on 1-hr delay but a couple of the other ‘name’ games like the Melbourne and Sydney Derbies.