Talking Footy

Fox Sports, FFA on path to divorce after A-League instalment not paid
By Dominic Bossi
April 16, 2020


The 15-year marriage between Fox Sports and Australian football appears to be coming to an end after the broadcaster did not pay the final instalment of this season's TV deal, which was due on Thursday.

It puts the final three years of the A-League's broadcast deal in doubt after Football Federation Australia did not receive the near $12 million quarterly sum from Foxtel, the parent company of Fox Sports. Foxtel's decision to withhold the final payment has surprised football's stakeholders as they believed the pay TV provider was legally required to honour the final instalment of this financial year.


The A-League may be on the lookout for a new broadcast partner. CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES

Foxtel declined to comment on its decision, which comes as the A-League remains suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however FFA and A-League sources suggest this could be the beginning of the end for Australian football and Foxtel.

To many in the game, that is of little surprise. The financially embattled Foxtel has sought to offload "non-core" sports to save money since posting major losses for the 2018-19 financial year and, just last week, slashed more than 200 jobs. Fox Sports has significantly scaled back its football department and FFA and A-League clubs didn't wait for the pin to be pulled on the TV deal, worth $57 million a year, before preparing their search for a new broadcast partner for next season.

While a new free-to-air TV partner or digital platforms could provide renewed interest in the game, any possible departure of Fox Sports will put a massive hole in the immediate budgets of the clubs and FFA for next season. Already, several clubs have privately floated the idea of cutting the A-League salary cap by 40 per cent due to lost revenue caused by the suspension of this season.

Foxtel and FFA declined to comment on the future of the broadcast deal when contacted by the Herald on Thursday. According to senior A-League sources, FFA and Foxtel are set to meet in the coming days to try and resolve the stand-off.

However, it appears FFA is already gearing up for a possible legal stoush, having sought advice from prominent barrister Bret Walker SC, who recently worked on the appeal of George Pell and will oversee the special commission of inquiry into the Ruby Princess cruise ship saga.

Sources with detailed knowledge of the broadcast deal suggest Fox Sports withholding the April quarterly payment is a breach of the contract, while FFA must complete the A-League season by July 1 in order to meet its obligations. Failure to do that could provide Fox Sports with the opportunity to walk away from the final three years of the deal.

There is no date set for the A-League to resume, however FFA will announce an update on the season's pos

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fox ... 54kj0.html

leeroy*NRL* wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 5:31 pm

A-League set for winter switch after securing new Fox Sports deal

The A-League is on track for a change from summer to winter after clinching a new broadcast deal with Fox Sports to ensure coverage for not only the rest of the current season, but the 2020-21 campaign as well.

The arrangement is believed to be worth about $32 million to FFA, which is a reduction on the old contract but in line with other renegotiated broadcast deals accepted by other sports in recent weeks.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/a-l ... 1592549645

Terry wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:08 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 5:31 pm

A-League set for winter switch after securing new Fox Sports deal

The A-League is on track for a change from summer to winter after clinching a new broadcast deal with Fox Sports to ensure coverage for not only the rest of the current season, but the 2020-21 campaign as well.

The arrangement is believed to be worth about $32 million to FFA, which is a reduction on the old contract but in line with other renegotiated broadcast deals accepted by other sports in recent weeks.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/a-l ... 1592549645

So down from $57M to $32M for one year. Close to half the original deal. A much bigger cut than NRL or AFL but at least they've got a deal unlike Rugby.

The change back to winter is probably a good one. They tried to stay away from RL & AFL but then ran into cricket particularly the BBL in the last few years. What they desperately need is world class players like they had in 2012 with Ono, Heskey & Del Piero.

Terry wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:08 pm

leeroy*NRL* wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 5:31 pm

A-League set for winter switch after securing new Fox Sports deal

The A-League is on track for a change from summer to winter after clinching a new broadcast deal with Fox Sports to ensure coverage for not only the rest of the current season, but the 2020-21 campaign as well.

The arrangement is believed to be worth about $32 million to FFA, which is a reduction on the old contract but in line with other renegotiated broadcast deals accepted by other sports in recent weeks.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/a-l ... 1592549645

So down from $57M to $32M for one year. Close to half the original deal. A much bigger cut than NRL or AFL but at least they've got a deal unlike Rugby.

The change back to winter is probably a good one. They tried to stay away from RL & AFL but then ran into cricket particularly the BBL in the last few years. What they desperately need is world class players like they had in 2012 with Ono, Heskey & Del Piero.