gaskin
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No surprises there. Until the state borders start opening again, there isn't really much they can do.
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Plans for private ownership of A-League still on table after FFA talks with US firm
Dominic Bossi
Plans for private ownership of A-League still on table after FFA talks with US firm.
The A-League could fall under the private ownership of a global sports management firm with Football Federation Australia not ruling out selling off a stake in the competition to bring investment into the game.
The A-League is braced for a major financial blow should broadcaster Fox Sports walk away from the final three years of its TV deal and is already looking for alternative revenue streams. The Sydney Morning Herald can reveal a third-party private ownership model will be seriously considered as a means to draw much-needed investment into the league. FFA has already laid significant groundwork to sell a stake in the competition.
An evaluation was conducted last year that deemed the A-League worth between $100 million and $120 million. After that evaluation, FFA held talks with two overseas-based firms about selling between 30 per cent and 51 per cent of the A-League. The identity of one of those firms remains unknown but, according to sources close to the negotiations, the other was American sports marketing firm IMG. The New York-based company has a history of buying into sports competitions, having launched the Indian Super League in 2013. IMG part-owned the ISL until 2018.
Discussions cooled in the months before the COVID-19 pandemic struck but had not died. There is a strong chance those talks will be revisited if Fox Sports pulls the plug on its 15-year partnership with FFA by terminating its $57 million a year broadcast deal.
FFA declined to comment on negotiations with Fox Sports when contacted by the Herald but senior sources at the organisation did not rule out selling A-League equity if the TV deal was cut short. A-League clubs, FFA and the players union remain in the dark about Fox Sports' intentions. The pay TV provider did not make its final quarterly payment of this season's deal, which was due last week.
The A-League is suspended indefinitely due to the pandemic with FFA vowing to resume the season only when it gets the green light from federal and state governments.
Meanwhile, private investors are also circling A-League clubs in the hope of a finding a bargain. Park Lane, a US investment bank which specialises in helping cashed-up clients buy sporting teams, is keeping an eye on all major Australian sports, including football, and has already made an informal approach to one A-League club.
Newcastle Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna confirmed he had received a call from Park Lane to discuss the club's ownership situation.
"We just had a chat, which is fine - I'm always open for a chat. You never know what will happen," McKinna said.
The Jets are owned by Chinese lighting magnate Martin Lee but the club has been seeking additional investment for some time, with Lee unable to cover increased financial losses on his own.
Plans for private ownership of A-League still on table after FFA talks with US firm
FFA discussed selling a stake of the A-League to IMG late last year and could revisit those talks if Fox Sports walks away from its broadcast deal.www.smh.com.au
Interesting.. I wonder how much pencentage the FFA will sell off
It’s a crazy time for all Australian sport.
Football might be ahead of the game as they are already privately owned clubs compared to other sports looking at it.
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There is no reason from what you have given, or any other reason i can think of as to why they should just pull the pin now and start again with next year being better planned and executed. Really both can, and possibly will, happen.Starting again August 1 is brain dead beyond any comprehension. Scrap this season, look at next year and finally with some planning offer up a product people want to see.
Lower ticket prices to get people through the gates for a start. Have any of these incompetent suits notice non existent crowds?!
No atmosphere at games, no one watches on tv. I know, lets resume the season when afl and nrl are getting to the pointy end of their seasons. Genius...
Pumping out a half assed effort will turn more people away than they gain from starting again. Wont get international players back. Wont get anyone engaged in the product at that time either...There is no reason from what you have given, or any other reason i can think of as to why they should just pull the pin now and start again with next year being better planned and executed. Really both can, and possibly will, happen.
There are monetary reasons on the leagues behalf to finish the league, as has been well documented. If we were really early on in the season or the covid pandemic had no real signs of slowing down I would understand, but that isn't the case. It isnt the beat time to finish the season (with the nrl and afl, but they would be in full swing by this stage anyway) but it will be good for all involved to complete the season including finals (which will probably be only a month or so).
You might also get more overseas viewers consdering many are hankering for sportPumping out a half assed effort will turn more people away than they gain from starting again. Wont get international players back. Wont get anyone engaged in the product at that time either...
Surely no objections to this? If only clubs could re coup the costs of implementing it in the first place but good riddance I sayFIFA gives A-League its blessing to get rid of hated VAR
Australian football has been given a glorious opportunity to get rid of the VAR cancer that has been gnawing at the game's image and credibility for far too long.theworldgame.sbs.com.au
I dont get why var is such a hated thing. Yes there have been issues, especially early on, but the idea and use of such a system is good for the game.Well that sucks then.
Ruins atmosphere, spontaneity of goals, still some subjectivity in decisions, how far can the camera roll back etc.I dont get why var is such a hated thing. Yes there have been issues, especially early on, but the idea and use of such a system is good for the game.
I dont get why var is such a hated thing. Yes there have been issues, especially early on, but the idea and use of such a system is good for the game.
Surely no objections to this? If only clubs could re coup the costs of implementing it in the first place but good riddance I sayFIFA gives A-League its blessing to get rid of hated VAR
Australian football has been given a glorious opportunity to get rid of the VAR cancer that has been gnawing at the game's image and credibility for far too long.theworldgame.sbs.com.au