Kennett’s primary concern was how the change could affect player welfare, given (until Virgin expands to include business class) clubs won’t have the luxury of upgrading players from economy if they’re injured or simply need the extra space. And it seems to be a concern held by a number of clubs.
However, Kennett also didn’t shy away from the apparent reasoning behind the AFL’s decision.
“The reason that has (been) given to me and was publicised at the time was that Andrew Demetriou said if you don’t give us exclusivity over soccer and union, then we’re going to change the airline,” Kennett said on 3AW. “I think that is just so bloody arrogant, as to be very, very upsetting.”
Jeff’s right. The AFL have really come across as arrogant on this one.
Sure, the league has every right to be competitive and to seek out the most beneficial deal for the game. But it’s nothing short of provocative to other codes to ask Qantas – who hold naming rights to both the Socceroos and Wallabies, in deals that would have to be worth millions annually – to end sponsorships with rivals of the league.
What’s truly troubling with the AFL’s mindset here is that the league is currently expanding into New South Wales and Queensland, markets where this kind of behaviour is unlikely to go down well.
Firstly, because the sports that would be most affected by Qantas removing its sponsorship are so prominent in those states. (Aside from soccer and rugby union, Qantas are also involved in rugby league.)
Secondly, because history shows that even the hint of arrogance from the AFL tends to lead to hostility in the northern markets.
The league should have learned from the failure in Sydney of its ad campaign a couple of years back spruiking “The Game That Made Australia”. Not only did the ad fail to resonate with locals, the Daily Telegraph’s Tim Morrissey wrote at the time, “The AFL could not have come up with a better way to alienate Sydney if it tried.”
And thirdly, it’s an issue because it doesn’t fit well with the AFL’s public mantra that all the codes can work together or at the very least coexist.
It’s one thing for Andrew Demetriou to talk the talk (like in this recent Herald Sun piece, even if he does plug his own code one too many times) but it’s another thing entirely to walk the walk. The AFL don’t always back up their words with actions.
That’s not to say the AFL should be diplomatic with other codes at the expense of all else. Far from it.
There are times where the league needs to stand up and protect its own turf, and I’m happy to see it happen.
However, the request of exclusivity from Qantas was provocative to other codes and the assumption that the airline would want to partner solely with the AFL at the expense of two of our country’s most popular national teams was bigheaded, to say the least.
Given that, the response of Qantas spokesman Ken Ryan last month was unsurprising: “It’s been a good partnership, but the AFL had issues with our arrangements with the other codes. We have a proud history of supporting all sports in Australia, including all codes of football and that’s not going to change. We will not enter into exclusive arrangements with any sporting body.”
You can’t blame Qantas for holding that attitude.
Just like you can’t blame Jeff for his comments.
westie
Guest
Goo on Fez's are cool. This publication (The Roar) has it's head office in NSW. No wonder it is full of AFL bashers. Oh and by the way, Kennett may be arrogant but he is correct. The AFL is arrogant to the point that the game could suffer. And another thing, how about you do some research and compare game attendances for all football codes and tell us what you discover.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
You wrote 'Try again, it’s loathed. The perception is it’s a fairy’s game. It’s Netball for men.' The term fairy is often used as a bigoted term about gay people, as it suggests that they are less than masculine. It may not have been your intention, however it is a horrible thing to say.
brad
Guest
Hey amazonfan, where's the homophobia? What are you on about?
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Brad, have you ever watched a game of netball? Obviously not, as if you had, you wouldn't make such a silly statement. That you would resort to homophobia is truly sickening.
Brad
Guest
Try again, it's loathed. The perception is it's a fairy's game. It's Netball for men.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
:D
Titus
Guest
Spot on, Neanderthals were the peak of human evolution and civilisation has been going downhill ever since.
Brad
Guest
I have a theory that the rise in popularity of AFL is in direct correlation with the softness of our society. So for all you AFL fans, that means that the softer our society gets the more popular AFL gets, right now softness is peaking. I'm hoping that from here on in our society will toughen up and people will once again support tough, physical games. No more mens netball.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
How is this deal unethical or predatory? Surely, the AFL has the right to make a deal with whatever airline it wants to? As for attempting to inflict maximum damage to rival sports, no, they want to do what is in their best interest. Nowhere is it in their best interests to be nice to rival sports.
steve ellis
Guest
Well not surprised at this latest example.. the AFL has runs on the board when it comes to predatory and unethical 'exclusivity' commercial arrangements aimed at inflicting maximum damage to rival sports..... its cosy mates agreement with Ch7 in the 90's to bid for 'tha sockah' rights then demand it bury it.... All class..
amazonfan
Roar Guru
How did the AFL display arrogance, any arrogance at all, on this? Anyway, no matter what happens, it will never become the VFL again. Adelaide and WCE, for starters, are too successful, while the competition has the resources to support less successful clubs, Victorian or otherwise, well into the future. If you think the AFL could ever become the VFL again, you are clearly understating its success and popularity.
Tito el Colombiano
Guest
VERY VERY GOOD Post - AFL is Victoria's game that has spread to WA, SA & TAS RL is QLD & NSW's game - and I think you will find if you step outside of the VIC media bubble and check for yourself - AFL is not winning people up here as much as the VIC media will have you think - in fact no where near it.
Tito el Colombiano
Guest
Exactly!!!! This is not the only issue they display arrogance on - be careful AFL or it could quickly become the VFL again.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Moonface seems to believe that the AFL should just stay in the traditional AFL states and never venture out. He doesn't seem to realize that the AFL has every right to attempt to expand, and if that means 'taking over', then so be it.
djfrobinson
Guest
Hay TC I agree with you that choice should be up the individual.. I don't think there is a right or wrong choice, nor do i agree that one sport is more appealing then another based purely on it's style. People are going to watch and play what their parents watch and play. This is why, NSW has more in common with RL, New Zealand and RU, Victoria and Australian Rules. Also I beg your forgiveness I did not fully comprehend your first statement. Thanks
Republican
Guest
djf The indig code was supposedly hatched in Vic which is incidentally part of Australia, after which it almost immediately began to establish a foothold across north south east and western borders. Vic is certainly far more ' Australian' than mother Albion who gave us Union, League Soccer and Cricket. It is also believed in some quarters, that footy started in rural South Australia however can I say that your not nearly subtle enough inference that the code is 'Victorian' rather than 'Australian' is a tired old chestnut that smacks of envy of the codes superior national profile and status and heritage and it is surely time to put that one to bed. TC, I do believe that many Kiwis would view playing the Australian game as treason actually and this is why a large number are adverse to embracing our game, advocation it's rebranding, to appropriate it as their own and djf could well be one of them. Make of this what you will.
Republican
Guest
Moonface Now also trying to 'take over' NZ sport it would seem??
Republican
Guest
Jeff is full of bemusing contradiction is he not? His focus is nearly always commercial in respect of our game, so one has to wonder what his real agenda is re. QANTAS v Virgin. He certainly displays an overt passion for his Hawks while being more than willing to share them with a foreign and ignorant demographic in NZ. A.D is obviously looking to do the best he can for the code commercially which Kennett should identify with I would have thought, especially given his more recent promotion of NZ that expresses his grave concern for the commercial well being of Auckland over any long suffering loyal footy demos in this country i.e. the nations capital, Tassie and the NT to name a few. I wouldn't trust either of these bankers as far as I could toss them!
amazonfan
Roar Guru
So the AFL is arrogant for wanting to look after its own interests? That is absurd.
Patrick
Guest
Hall's well known, Ablett not so much, and Reiwoldt (Because of the naked pics). Goodesy's known too.