There was a time when players played football for the love of the game. It would appear those days are long gone.
There was also a time when the AFL claimed to be the ‘people’s game’. However money has taken over, and now with the extra revenue created by the new broadcast deal, the time has come to decide who matters more to the game.
The players, or the fans?
The AFL’s new television rights deal was touted as a win for everybody involved in the game.
The AFL secured a huge payload set to benefit itself, as well as the clubs and players, while fans were guaranteed live coverage of every match on Foxtel.
Clearly television viewers have been rewarded, but has the AFL neglected those fans who actually attend games?
When the $1.253 billion deal was announced, the players were quick to claim responsibility for the record deal.
“We really deserve our piece of the pie and we feel like we have done the work over the last five years to really get that TV rights deal for the AFL,” Adam Goodes said.
Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown in his newspaper column argued it’s the players who put on the show so therefore deserve the rewards.
“Would the AFL have got $1.253 billion for TV rights if footy wasn’t in such good shape?” Brown asked.
However TV networks only care about ratings, and this is driven by the fans watching the game at home, not by the players.
The networks are willing to pay so much because of the interest from fans, which is why footy is in “such good shape.” The fans will watch no matter what players are playing.
The players are so far losing the public relations battle, with public perception labelling players as greedy and, many argue, already overpaid.
Their ‘give us what we want, or else’ approach has also not gone down well with either fans or the AFL.
The players want 25-27 percent of all AFL revenue. But instead of the extra revenue going towards higher player salaries, it should go towards rewarding the loyal fans by lowering prices.
Andrew Demetriou said the game is a game for anyone and everyone.
“A game that is inclusive, accessible and affordable,” Demetriou said. But as the cost of living rises, so too does the cost of attending games.
So much so that the grand final is no longer for the fans, but reserved for the wealthy.
The standard price for a ticket to the 2010 AFL grand final was $161. Compare this to the NRL grand final which prices ranged from just $60 to $180 for a ticket.
Ticketing allocation doesn’t take fans into account either.
The NRL allows priority ticketing for competing clubs’ members, followed by a general public sale.
The AFL only reserves 26,000 tickets for both competing clubs’ members to fight for, with no general public sale even on offer.
Sadly, most AFL fans will never get to attend a grand final.
Obviously all of the clubs, players and fans are vital to the game, but the players claim is that they are the reason for the league’s success.
The truth is the supporters are what make the AFL so successful. We buy memberships, merchandise and tickets to games that keep the clubs alive and the league thriving.
Television viewers have gained a lot out of this deal, but it’s important the AFL maintain the balance between keeping the TV viewers happy, while still encouraging fans to attend games.
The reason for the record broadcast rights was the AFL supporters. TV viewers have now been taken care of, so it is only fair those supporters attending games should now get rewarded too.
Republican
Guest
TW Yep, agree with most of what you say however I am one of those who oppose international growth for the sake of the commercial top end and at domestic expedience, which is well known. This is what the NZ focus is all about rather than any talent. There is more talent in just about any demographic you care to mention right here in Oz than you will unearth in NZ yet this is the ONLY realistic o/s option in respect of anyelite presence and it's purely commercial and geographic criteria that governs this. Your to 'the commercial world' connotation is negative which of course I also hold to. To go global will up the antis to such a obscene commercial level it will make what we have in the AFL currently, pale by comparison. It's inevitable me thinks, that a schism in the code will transpire. Ironically I believe any new international league supported by a niche o/s market will disenfranchise the Australian one, while a whole new domestic league will grow to replace the AFL culturally - if nothing else.
TW
Guest
Now now Jarrard do not start criticising the AFL Executive on the Roar - They are perfect. Well not quite perfect -Have a look at the results from the weekend - Most of them very very one sided which we would say indicates a great spread of talent over the to be 18 clubs -Not! The AFL however does belatedely know now the pool is limited thus the push up north. Unfortunately they have not stepped up yet to address properly the other potential source of talent - The dreaded "International" word to some AFL fans on here. However the genie is out of the bottle Internationally wise and we just cannot let the AFL naysayers who promote " Lets go back to the VFL" rule the day who have been prominent on the Roar recently. The bigger the base of the pyramid the more talent at the top. That is a quote from the Rugby Union world. The AFL players have stuffed it paywise - They should have retained the right to strike - Very nieve tactically to say the least. Demitriou only respects strength because he is a bit of a bully in negotiations and now has the upper hand. I have seen it all before in the commercial world.
Republican
Guest
Ian I would contest that they are necessarily 'the best' despite being paid as if they were. The mystery bags that I have helped prepare at the local game are more often than not, far better value than anything you could hope to have dished up at any elite AFL fixture these days. The games resemble a dogs breaky at best to be frank.
Jarrad Galaboff
Roar Rookie
My point is the AFL is successful and got a $1.25 billion deal because of the supporters not the players, but the players are claiming the deal should be credited to them. The players aren't arguing they are underpaid, but because the AFL has got more money, they want more money. Yes they deserve to be paid well, which they are. But if the game is in good shape then it's because of the fans and they should be rewarded.TV fans are big winners in this deal, but the AFL needs to reward all supporters otherwise there is more incentive to stay home and watch games. In the AFL mid-year report it showed television ratings are up, including 23 per cent for Foxtel. While attendances are down on last year. The AFL is encouraging people to watch on TV, but what are they doing to keep people going to games?
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Republican, No, oversimplifying would be to say 'Waaaahhh, I want cheaper ticket prices, so stop paying the players so much', which indeed is what he is saying, only with more words. If you love the code, go volunteer to cook the sausages at an amateur game. If you want to watch the best there are play, pay the men what they are worth.
Republican
Guest
Ian I think you have over simplified what the writer is trying to convey here.. Any balance in playing the game, integral to the football community and it's culture has been diluted over time in the name of 'profession' so playing for the love of it has long gone - at the most elite level anyway. I know for many, it is a moot point as to whether the essence of sport has been lost in this process. You are of course right in saying options exist for those who prefer the amateur culture of any sport i.e. myself who argue that there has been a degeneration of sporting virtues due to professionalism and the AFL is no exception in respect. It is all about bankers, brands and money and the bottom line criteria in justifying these organisations existence. Ironically this culture of big business compromises the very essence of what for many a prosaic supporter, it is to be a devotee to a club, team or tribe or country, when in fact all they are getting for their 'buck' is an illusion of sorts, commercially engineered to deceive those willing to be deceived. Each to their own.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
"There was a time when players played football for the love of the game. It would appear those days are long gone." This statement is total garbage. Players have been paid to play since the very start of the VFL in the 19th century. If you want to watch amateur footy, go support your local amateur footy side. If they dont have a person collecting tickets, go pay $20, or $40, or whatever you think the game was worth the the person running the sausage sizzle. And as for most people not attending the AFL grand final, thats because the ground only fits so many spectators.