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Optus has signalled its intent to bid for A-League broadcast rights, growing its hold on the world game in Australia.
The telecommunications company shocked football fans by winning the rights to the English Premier League earlier last year.
Now chief executive Allen Lew says Optus will be a player in upcoming negotiations to the local competition – if the price is right.
“We’re looking at it seriously,” Lew told Fairfax Media.
“If it makes sense and it adds value to what we are providing football fans, at a commercial deal that we feel is fair, then we will see how we can bring it across.”
The A-League rights are on the market over the coming months as Football Federation Australia looks for an improved deal to the current four-year tie-up with Fox Sports and SBS which ends in 2017.
FFA has been unhappy with the poor coverage from SBS, which shunted the league to its secondary channel.
Earlier this month, FFA boss Steven Lowy said a key plank of any new deal would need to be an improved free-to-air component, calling the current arrangement “unacceptable”.
Earlier this month, local EPL fans reacted angrily to news that the competition would only be available to Optus customers, and at an additional cost to all but premium subscribers.
Lew confirmed that would be Optus’ model should it buy into the A-League.
It remains to be seen whether serious interest from a major free-to-air broadcaster will eventuate, with Channel Ten believed to be the most likely bidder.
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