AFL boss Gillon McLachlan insists free-to-air coverage will be a cornerstone of the next broadcast deal and has dismissed the federal government’s concerns as “irrelevant”.
Federal communications minister Michelle Rowland last week publicly warned the AFL against putting more matches behind a paywall, and has raised her concerns directly with top league executives.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has reassured footy fans free-to-air TV will remain a priority in the next broadcast rights deal.Credit:AFL Photos
“Whatever happens going forward free to air will be a critical part of our broadcast,” McLachlan said.
“Free to air coverage is a cornerstone of the way we talk to our supporters.”
McLachlan added that the government’s intervention in the broadcast negotiations showed how important the AFL was in the lives of Australians.
Gillon McLachlan with former Richmond triple-premiership star Bachar Houli.Credit:AFL Photos
“But we actually want free to air coverage. We are lucky to have an incredible partner in Seven, we’re lucky to have free-to-air partners who want to broadcast our game, so it’s irrelevant to us, frankly, because as I’ve said to the minister, we value free to air coverage. It’s a cornerstone of our broadcast.″
The AFL is in the final stages of negotiations for the right to show matches from 2025. If the deal with incumbents Seven and Foxtel goes ahead, Seven will be able to stream its games on its online service 7Plus, while Foxtel is pushing for a “Super Saturday”, during which it would have exclusive rights to home-and-away matches on Saturdays.
Nine Entertainment Co (owner of this masthead) and Paramount (Network Ten) are also competing for the rights and a deal is expected to be finalised in late September.
McLachlan launched the AFL finals series on Monday morning, and announced that three-time Richmond premiership player Bachar Houli would be the premiership cup ambassador. Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley will present the Norm Smith Medal to the best player in the grand final.
The AFL finals kick off on Thursday night, when Brisbane host Richmond at the Gabba, and will run alongside the AFLW season, which began with a standalone round at the weekend.
McLachlan said the push for more AFLW matches at big stadiums such as Marvel should not come at the expense of smaller suburban venues. The round one match between Essendon and Hawthorn drew 12,000 people to Marvel on Saturday night.
“For the right games there should be bigger venues”, McLachlan said.
