The FFA, A-League clubs and the PFA have reached an agreement to restart the A-League season in July, pending the approval of broadcaster Fox Sports.
Australian football’s stakeholders have come to an agreement that will allow the A-League season to restart in July.
On Thursday, the FFA, the A-League clubs and the PFA confirmed they had ticked off plans to resume training in mid-June and games in a hub by mid-July, with a view to finishing the season by mid-August.
It leaves broadcaster Fox Sports as the only major stakeholder yet to sign off on plans to complete the season.
“We are committed to delivering the completion of the A-League season and have agreed a comprehensive plan with the clubs and the PFA,” FFA chief executive James Johnson said.
“All parties have worked together extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure the professional game is ready to resume.
“We are now looking forward to the agreement of our broadcast partner, Fox Sports, to our fixture proposal and timings. That’s the final piece of the jigsaw and once we have it in place we can move forward quickly.”
Nine newspapers had reported Fox Sports won’t agree to broadcast the final rounds without significant cuts to the remaining three years of its contract with the league.
The league aims to complete the remainder of the season in 35 days, with A-League boss Greg O’Rourke flagging “football content seven days a week”.
The league was suspended in March by the coronavirus pandemic with a handful of regular season rounds, plus finals, remaining.
Securing a deal promptly was crucial as half the A-League players were due to come off contract after May 31 – which would have left them as unemployed free agents.
“The organisation is incredibly proud of the players’ commitment, leadership and contribution to preserving the integrity of the A-League during this unprecedented challenge to Australian football,” PFA chief executive John Didulica said.
“In the absence of a vibrant professional competition there is a flow on effect for the whole game. Today we took an important step with the clubs and FFA toward ensuring the health of the game’s short and long-term future.”
The league will implement a number of safety and testing protocols to ensure the season is able to be completed.
Shortly the season was suspended, a Newcastle Jets player and Wellington Phoenix staff member tested positive for coronavirus.
“The health and safety of our players, match officials, coaches, staff and other match day personnel remains our highest priority,” O’Rourke said.
“We have taken the necessary steps, with the support of government officials and medical experts, to agree and implement the appropriate protocols, which include rigorous screening and testing regimes.”
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
"ultimately mean a lower quality product on the field." Can't see that happening. All ready low
Micko
Roar Rookie
Super rugby ratings are woeful apparently. Optus claimed they weren't even close to signing a broadcast contract with RA.
NoMates
Guest
If this %50 drop is true, then why haven't they ask Rugby Australia to do this too? Smells like bullcrap. But then again Super Rugby is in a better state then the HAL, better TV ratings etc it would be good to see them on Optus. The HAL however i cant even seem them being on AM radio.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
"Maybe some canned seagull noises for the Melb City games" would definitely feel like a home game for our lads. All the more so having to play in a Sydney hub. :silly:
Frank
Guest
Spot on with all that you have written I think that while some are excited about a move to Optus Sport, it does mean the funds coming into the League remains the same. If Fox withdraws then Optus can possibly get away with offering a low figure. This is potentially a major crisis for the league as the money from Fox has enabled clubs to tread water and build respectable lists over the years. A 50% cut in those funds would mean teams would have to shed some of their better players, coaching staff ect. and ultimately mean a lower quality product on the field.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
This 50% discount figure is getting bandied around far too much to just be a made up number. Bonita wrote in her most recent article that she has a source suggesting that Fox has only offered $10 million per annum to continue broadcasting. That might only represent an opening ambit claim, but anything under $25 million will represent a disaster for the elite level of football in this country. Also, if Fox is only offering $10 mill, there doesn't appear to much incentive for Optus to offer more than $20 mill, and even then, Optus would be expecting the A-League to meet all production costs out of that $20 mill.
Frank
Guest
Agreed, it was subtle but good Maybe some canned seagull noises for the Melb City games
At work
Roar Rookie
If anyone saw the NRL game on Thursday night (Brisbane v Parramatta) you'll notice there was canned crowd noise. I for one thought it worked quite well and I hope Fox Sports do something similar for the remaining A League games that are to be played in front of no fans.
Frank
Guest
Reports are that Fox is looking to cut the deal anywhere between 50% and 70% for the remainder of the contract. We could see a vastly different A-League next season with even a 25% cut, but 50%+ would have a dramatic impact on clubs and their ability to retain talent. A savvy move by Fox. Obviously we aren't across the legal implications, but could the intent be of forcing the league into a corner in the hopes they abandon the deal and head to another broadcaster makes sense. I think we may see a very different sports offering from Fox over coming years with a focus on the major sports and away from niche competitions.
chris
Guest
"pending the approval of Fox sports" The sooner they disappear the better. Tail wagging the dog.