AFL secures two-year deal with broadcast partners in ‘massive’ $964 million boost

After the copping a heavy financial blow during the coronavirus-impacted 2020, the AFL has secured a “massive” $964 million boost.

Gillon McLachlan speaks with media.

The AFL has secured a two-year extension on its broadcast deal with Foxtel and Telstra, extending their coverage rights through to the end of the 2024 season.

The two arrangements are set to bring in an extra $946 million for the AFL, which copped a heavy financial blow during a coronavirus-impacted 2020.

In June, free-to-air provider Channel 7 extended its own deal with the AFL for the same period.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the league was “very pleased” to secure the two-year deal.

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“We’ve got great partnerships and we feel that we’ve got the best game in the world, partners that appreciate that and partners who are happy going forward supporting the industry because it’s Australia’s No. 1 game,” McLachlan said in a statement.

“This deal is for another couple of years’ time. The events in Sydney this week has shown the uncertainty around COVID, which we believe will be around next year.

“This deal is a show of faith from our broadcast partners, it’s obviously a show of strength of our product, and what it enables us to do is work with our clubs, those in trouble and the stronger ones, with a four-year funding envelope.

“I feel very confident that we will rebuild the balance sheet of those clubs and the industry by the end of this agreement.

“We‘ll work hand-in-glove with the clubs, even if next year continues to be uncertain, to make sure we make prudent decisions for the long-term strength of the clubs and the game.

“This deal with our long-term partners enables us to plan properly, review funding models, CBAs, soft caps and others through the first half of next year.”

Gillon McLachlan speaks with the media.

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Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delany echoed McLachlan’s comments, saying the broadcast partner was “incredibly pleased” to continue their relationship with the AFL.

“This extension to our long-term relationship with the AFL confirms the Foxtel Group as the go-to destination for footy fans with every game of every round live and ad-free during play,” Delany said in a statement.

“After a rollercoaster ride through 2020, this is a great end to the year. More fans watched footy on Foxtel and Kayo in 2020 than ever before, and the depth and breadth of our sports offering saw us grow to have more sports subscribers than at any time in our 25-year history. We are already planning an exciting start to the 2021 footy season, which is less than three months away.

“On behalf of the Foxtel Group, I want to acknowledge Gillon McLachlan and the AFL team for the goodwill that‘s been a hallmark of our relationship. We are incredibly pleased by the continued commitment to footy by our long-term strategic partner Telstra, under the leadership of Andy Penn. It’s also exciting to hear about the innovation that Telstra and the AFL will bring to the game and fans as part of today’s announcement.”