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There is no bigger critic of SBS than me. The questions raised by SBS about the A-League and the national team, especially pertaining to technical standards, would be different if SBS owned the rights.
Moreover, I have come to accept that there are three football markets in Australia and SBS are kings in two of these markets.
The first market is the A-League, second is the European followers, and finally there is the ‘bandwagoners’. Further I accept that the A-League is, by a long way, the smallest of these markets.
SBS is just another business protecting its patch, income stream, and sphere of influence.
My background is business, so I have come to accept that the same as 7, 9, 10, and News, SBS obtains revenue from football. Fox has frozen SBS out of the A-League and Socceroos, so why help Fox and why not promote Champions League, EPL (when it suits), South America, or SBS markets and business revenue?
On the weekend I did a little survey among 50 odd players across three over-35 teams, and maybe eight of the 50 showed any real interest in the A-League.
After asking why, the typical response was that it’s “crap.”.
I asked the obvious question: do you watch it much? Most said “no!” So I said, how do you know its crap? You guessed it, SBS says so.
I then looked at SBS’ coverage of the NSL. Did SBS question the technical standards ? Hardly ever. Did SBS constantly question the coaches’ technically ability? Rarely, as I recall.
Then why set a totally new set of standards for judging?
I am the first to put my hand up and say we need to improve our technical skill. Equally, I am satisfied that FFA are doing all within their power to do so.
SBS want to get back into the main game. How do they do it? By constantly belittling the A-League and Pim, SBS are keeping the European supporters away and those bandwaggoners look to SBS for guidance given the past history.
Thus, SBS are keeping revenue and viewers away from Fox and future media deals.
If SBS owned the broadcast rights, would they be a critical as they are now? My guess is no.
My reasons are that, in the past, the NSL had huge structural problems and even more technical issues than the A-League. These where not that discussed. Discussion, instead, was on how to promote the game and get a better go from the mainstream media.
In conclusion, I want to defend SBS as I would any business fighting for its life over an asset they did a lot to create and losing out to Johnny Come Laitlies with less passion and understanding, but more money.
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