Fox Sports’ glamour host Mel McLaughlin will officially make the switch to mainstream television next season, with Channel 10 landing the prized presenter in a move that could potentially be one of the most significant transfers this season.
And while the obvious losers of McLaughin’s move seem to be Fox Sports, the reality is that the entire A-League may suffer just a bit from her departure.
McLaughlin is just one reporter in an army of media representatives, but her strong football coverage for Fox Sports was fundamental to the A-League’s growth last season. It might seem like an overstatement (and almost pure fandom) to suggest that the loss of one presenter could affect the game, but the fact remains that McLaughlin’s departure is a step backwards for the growth of the A-League.
Thanks largely to the Western Sydney Wanderers’ revolution, A-League crowds and television ratings reached an all-time high across the country last year.
Still viewed as of secondary importance to the NRL, AFL and even Super Rugby, soccer/football/whatever-you-want-to-call-it finally started gaining notoriety and prominence throughout the 2012-13 season. The introduction of the Western Sydney Wanderers was an incredibly strong success, and crowds and television ratings alike started to reach all-time highs across the country.
Australians who had solely focussed on the likes of the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League were finally starting to care and passionately support their domestic league once more – the importance of which cannot be underestimated, given the closeness of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The A-League was, by every definition around, a roaring success, and it was little surprise that such growth happened at the same time that McLaughlin started to rise in prominence. An attractive, smart, and insightful presenter, McLaughlin played a key role in Fox Sports’ coverage of the sport last year, and brought with her a whole new demographic of followers and interest.
However, with her departure to Channel Ten, the focus will now come back on Fox Sports and the A-League for their ‘inability’ to keep one of the biggest names around. Right or wrong, that’s the perception that McLaughlin’s move suggests – that the A-League isn’t yet big enough. The perception is that the A-League and the following of domestic football in Australia still has a long way to go.
Less than a year after its biggest growth period in history, that perception could very well be a bitter blow for the A-League and its fans.
As mentioned before, McLaughlin is just one reporter, and without trying to sound too critical, she will be replaced and soon forgotten. Fox Sports will fill the void left by her in their coverage, and those watching the sport at home will quickly find a new ‘fan-favourite’ who will rise to prominence like McLaughlin did.
However, what they won’t be able to fill (at least not straight away) is the notion that they are starting from scratch in their efforts to build support for the A-League.
Whether that’s actually the case or not is seemingly besides the point.
It’s all about the perception that is provided, and with McLaughlin’s departure, the perception is that the A-League isn’t big enough or reputable enough yet.
The glamorous McLaughlin played a key role in the growth in reputation of football in Australia, and she will no doubt provide a similar impact for the Big Bash League. However, whatever Channel Ten gains in her arrival will pain the A-League in her departure.
Both in terms of her presence as well as the perception portrayed on the league.
Bondy
Guest
Terry You're not Johann and many of his aliases in disguise are you ? ...
Terry
Guest
At the end of the day, Mel, although a pretty one, is just a "talking head"! She'll comment on any sport, whilst not being an "expert" on any of hem (somewhat similar to Bruce Bruce McAvaney). Foxtel will still have A'League followers. Incidentally, Mel professes to being an avid "Man U" supporter ... any true United fan knows that we NEVER call them "Man U"!
Viv R
Guest
Nah .... see just got sick of commenting on women's sport and wanted to watch a man's game. Next step Channel 7 and the AFL?
X123SkyBlues
Guest
BBL smashed ALeague in the ratings last year (300% higher). I like the A-League but the masses aren't watching the big games outside of their own team at all. I don't get where the hype comes from, I guess mainly thanks to the excitement of the Wanderers. A-League has a hell of a big way to go in terms of TV ratings and even in terms of crowds outside of derbies and the Syd/Melb.
SEPPO
Guest
Saw Tara Rushton tonight on the a-league opener. Mel who??? anyway the game is bigger than the faces....
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Many thanx for the correction Kasey hehe
Kasey
Guest
I am very impressed that SBS have recognised that they needed a fresh young face instead of just plumping for Les and Foz on the HAL coverage. I hope she's as animated with her hand movements as her more famous brother:) Ned was a god send during the last coverage of the Euros *when pedants attack* "Lucy zelic" Matt pls note the E:)
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Anyone have a comment on Ms Zulic being the face for SBS A-League show ? :-)
Frank
Guest
Tara Rushton is not bad replacement.
Frank
Guest
Miss Mel but Tara Rushton is a not bad replacement.
RosscoHobart
Guest
Mel is a true football supporter, I wil miss her. Maybe Sen could employ her for a small ALeague report. With AFL approval of course. Ha ha
James
Guest
I wish Mel all the best at 10, but seriously Simon Hill is the face & voice of the Fox Sports coverage & he has a wealth of talent & expereinece. Do you honestly think those who go to the Victory or wanderers games or another games will stop going because Mel is no longer there. This article did give me a belly laugh so I thank the writer, but seriously not like I will stop watching the a league because Mel is no longer there. Although my brother will be one pissed off, sad devastated of a human bugger when i tell him. He will be outright crushed by this news & I might need to break the news to him that he'll have to wait maybe 6 weeks to see Mel on channel 10's bb sports coverage. I suppose I could break the news to him, after his downed quite a few beers & maybe a couple of Jim Beans & Coke.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
To quote someone famous ; " ....there's a lot in what you say " Fuss :-)
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
She's a Perth Glory fan,that'll do me.
Midfielder
Guest
Tara Rushton http://vimeo.com/65996803
The TMF
Guest
Reading through the comments I find myself shocked yet not surprised. This article clearly is not satire and the people commenting so are transparent. Guys if you want to have a cheap shot at someone, have the guts to be up front about it. I suggest if you think McLaughlin is window dressing, then you have not been watching fox sports coverage of the A-League for more than one season. I am not saying that FOX Sports News doesn't have a few that are window dressing; some are clearly presenters rather than reporters or journos Simply put there is not a female journalist that covers a major code of football in Australia that is on her level. Knowledge and experience. As for her leaving FOX Sports, for those that know what has been going on with News Ltd pushing their print journos into Fox, and the subsequent redundancies of career TV journalists to make way for washed up former sports stars, this would hardly come as a surprise. Like any company that hands out redundancies due to a merger it leave the remaining staff with low morale and a lack of security. Not for one second do I think FOX would have moved McLaughlin on given he profile, but it is easy having that view from the outside. McLaughlin will do well at 10 and will be well placed if 10 make a run at a-league coverage rights in the future. As for the replacement, apparently they have signed up Tara Rushton. FOX are claiming she has good football knowledge and a CV to prove it. I will watch with an open mind, but she will have a big standard to live up to.
David V.
Guest
Katie Gill? She's not bad sorts, but among the Matildas she is by all accounts a very intelligent and eloquent lady.
David V.
Guest
Why we will miss Mel is because very few times have a network got it right. Mel has good looks and football knowledge, she is a legitimate football person and above all she connects with the audience which is a big part of her popularity. I had the privilege of meeting her at the Grand Final, and she lives up to her reputation. It will be very difficult to find anyone with those qualities.
AZ_RBB
Guest
just a bit on her football credentials.... With a passion for writing and presenting, Tara completed a Diploma in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Media and Communications in Sydney before leaving Australia to pursue a career as a model internationally – Living and working in New York, London, Germany, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and China. Whilst living in Singapore in 2011, Tara joined the Mio Stadium channel as the leading soccer presenter of Tiger Goals On Sunday, rounding up the English Premier League results LIVE on Singapore’s Mio Stadium in Singapore 2011. Tara quickly rose to success in Singapore, as the witty and intelligent Australian presenter, whom could talk soccer with the pundits.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Phil Rothfield has reported today: "FoxSports is soon to announce former model and actor Tara Rushton as the replacement for Mel McLaughlin on the network’s A-League coverage." It seems Rushton fills the Selection Criteria I suggested last week: Selection Criteria "a" & "b" - Rushton is an ex-model, who has been presenting football in Singapore for the past 3 years. And, from this photo, Tara certainly fills my Selection Criterion "c"! http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2013/08/17/1226699/071017-tara-rushton.jpg