- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
This is going to be brief article, but there are a lot of issues surrounding one question in football fans’ minds: can we trust Channel Seven.
Channel Seven is reported to be interested in broadcasting both the A-League and Socceroos after the current deal expires in 2017.
But after so much history, is it time to bury the hatchet? I remember the email. I remember when the NSL was broadcast.
REPORT: ARE SBS TRYING TO OFFLOAD THE A-LEAGUE?
Do we, as football fans, bury the hatchet and forgive them without iron clad guarantees?
So many questions remain about what a deal like this would mean, like whether the A-League ready for a commercial network? And with SBS reportedly looking to cut their A-League ties, what does that mean for this deal?
Will Football also enjoy the cross over promotion in news and morning shows?
What channel would it be?
Personally if Seven pay enough and provide the necessary guarantees then it is at least worth a test.
My reading of the tea leaves is in the ACT, New South Wales and Queensland, the A-League and Soccerooswould out-rate AFL, whereas in the Southern States AFL would be the clear winner. Accordingly I assume Football could be placed on Seven’s main secondary channel Australia wide. Socceroos games would, presumably, be on the main channel.
Other than Tennis, Seven don’t have a major summer time sport and they are said they are looking for one. Football would dovetail well with the end of the AFL season, so might be the perfect fit.
Lewis Martin, managing director of Channel Seven in Melbourne, gave a major hint that the network will negotiation with Football Federation Australia to purchase the rights of the league and international games and highlighted the growth of the game and the popularity of the Socceroos.
“For us it comes down to the discipline of the rights being required and the return we can get, ” Martin said.
“We all know about the growth of football in this country and the participation rates.”
Lewis Martin’s comments above clearly indicate it is a matter of price as I read them and question remain open about whether Seven would simply broadcast the matches or openly promote the game akin the way the AFL is promoted on the network.
Nine are also reported to be interested.
So is it time to bury the hatchet with Seven, football fans?
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.