Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO James Johnson confirmed today that FFA, the Hyundai A-League clubs and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have reached agreement on a comprehensive plan for the re-start of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season.
“We are committed to delivering the completion of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season and have agreed a comprehensive plan with the Hyundai A-League clubs and the PFA,” 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.”
A plan to conclude the A-League season has been announced by Football Federation Australia, A-League clubs and the players’ union. If it materialises, 32 matches will take place in 35 days from mid-July to mid-August. “We are committed to delivering the completion of the Hyundai A-League 2019-20 season,” said FFA CEO James Johnson.
But there’s a catch. Broadcast partner Fox Sports has not yet agreed to the terms of the resumption, and until that matter is resolved everything is on hold.
All the dominoes are in place for a long-awaited resumption in a NSW hub format featuring 32 games in 36 games - with an August 22 grand final.
However, Fox Sports - according to reliable club sources - won’t sanction a return to action until the FFA agree to accept a funding package worth up to 50 per cent less annually than the existing $57.6 million a year commitment to the code.
The A-League's planned resumption is being held up by Fox Sports, which will only agree to broadcast the final rounds of the season if Football Federation Australia accepts a dramatic reduction in broadcast rights fees for the next three years ...
The only fly in the ointment is Fox, which is insisting that its $57.6 million-a-year rights deal is slashed by what soccer sources indicate could be between 50 and 70 per cent for the remaining three years of its six-year deal.
Its like the NSL and Channel 7 all over again.
Its so sad that for the competition to get off the ground in the first place they needed to lock themselves into such deals.
I'm sure it would be tempting for the FFA to just say bugger it and call the season off. I wouldn't hold it against them.
This could also be a great catalyst for the A-League to scrap the finals series and finally crown top of the table at the true champion. Then call this season over and work on brighter futures elsewhere next season.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 11:53 pm
by ChillyPhilly
Fox need to get farked.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 7:18 am
by blahblah
Not a great scenario, but understandable. The relationship has been on the ropes for a while and not all of it is Fox's fault; hubris at the FFA has been stifling.
Rather than bemoan the situation we need to look at the options going forward, much of it on the governance front.
We do need to complete this season though.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 10:52 am
by ChillyPhilly
I understand both sides of the story, but football needs to stand up for itself for a change. The fans need the FFA to do this.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2020 6:02 pm
by sevengoals
Michael Jakobsen speaks to the press ...
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 5:38 pm
by sevengoals
All quiet on the A-league front ...
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 9:31 pm
by Stuckey
So the FFA have said they are waiting on Fox.
Sounds like they are still waiting. Very sad that some now players are out of contract and still don't know what the go is.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:32 am
by ZANZIBAR
Surely we can find a fix and get this season finished
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:46 am
by ChillyPhilly
The best fix is to tell Fox to take a hike as soon as this is all over.
Fox have done much good for the sport in Australia, but in recent years have hampered progress. Their role as the effective decision maker with the bids for Western United and Macarthur FC is a key example.
In hindsight, it would have been wisest for the season to be canned. This would have created certainty for players and given Fox a small punishing kick up the bum.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 6:29 am
by Stuckey
I reckon its got to the point the FFA should just pull the pin on the season.
Sydney are miles in front City are in a clear ACL position. Only drama really is that Victory don't qualify for the FFA Cup next season.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:27 am
by ZANZIBAR
I read that Tuesday next week is D Day for the deal to get back up and running
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 8:33 pm
by otto62
.... call this season over and work on brighter futures elsewhere next season.
The problem is that I don't see any brighter future. Where else will we get a broadcast deal of $20m a season? $10m a season? $5m a season?
Run our own Netflix channel and ask for paying subscribers? I can already hear the comments of "they want us to pay for this? they should be paying us!"
I'm hoping the "all quiet" is just a cover for good business negotiation, keeping out of the papers so AFL & NRL media people don't get a free hit at the game.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:36 am
by Stuckey
I wonder if it would be possible to create a streaming service on the FFA sites?
Obviously forgo the massive pay day. But then be 100% in charge of our own destiny and receive all the advertising revenue ourselves.
I'd be happy to pay a subscription if I knew the game was receiving that money. Or make it free for anyone who is a club member.
Re: Season’s finished?
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 7:14 am
by ZANZIBAR
I wonder if it would be possible to create a streaming service on the FFA sites?
Obviously forgo the massive pay day. But then be 100% in charge of our own destiny and receive all the advertising revenue ourselves.
I'd be happy to pay a subscription if I knew the game was receiving that money. Or make it free for anyone who is a club member.
Agree, and make it free for kids under12 that are registered to a local club. All other registered players get half price. That way the streaming numbers could be quite large, advertising would be a valuable asset and it can grow from there. Televise all A league, W league, and one match of the round from each state federation. I would pay for that and drop foxtel in a heart beat.
Also making it free for A league members is a great idea.
Sell the rights anywhere overseas and sell a couple games to free to air. It probably wouldn't make money in the first year but the potential viewers hit growth from providing it to all members and some juniors could be huge
