Unlike Andrew Demetriou’s counterpart at the NRL, David Gallop, the AFL Commission believes Demetriou is still on his game and has more good work to do.
In 2011 there was a murmur in football circles that Demetriou was ready to hang up the suit at the end of the 2012 season and spend the rest of his life at Lake Como in Italy.
Having transformed the AFL into the biggest sporting organisation in the country with massive TV deals, club membership booming and strong grassroots growth, it may have been time to handball the Sherrin to another in the top job.
This was no reflection on Demetriou but rather a belief that having met the challenges put to him by the AFL Commission, this perhaps was a time for consolidation.
Whilst many in the sporting world believe Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney are Demetriou’s babies, the fact is the introduction of the two new teams was pushed at Commission level.
It was Demetriou’s job to gain club support and oversee the formation of the new clubs, which he has achieved.
As one of the most astute hard nosed negotiators in the land, it is welcome news that AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick wants Demetriou to stay in the CEO role for a few more years yet at least.
I think the AFL acknowledges that the Suns and Giants will take time to settle and find their niche in crowded markets. Add the uncertain economic climate and it’s likely the next five years will be just as important as the last.
The next broadcast rights for the AFL commencing in 2017 promises to be a watershed in Australian sport. A transformation from the current free-to-air TV and pay TV deals to delivery of sport via the internet through the national broadband network (NBN).
The NBN has its detractors but ultimately if the network is running at reasonable cost into most homes by 2015-16, then an array of internet service providers will be falling over themselves to get a piece of the sports action.
This transformation from TV to internet will require careful strategic management. I would think the AFL will want a foot in each camp and a strong negotiator to make it happen.
Sounds like a significant challenge to me.
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