Throughout the establishment of the AFLW on the Australian sporting landscape, a phrase has been used so regularly it has become cliched – you can’t be what you can’t see, or similar versions. When assessing the long-term ramifications of the AFL’s extraordinary broadcast deal this week, it is an adage to consider given a slight shift towards pay TV.
Between 2025 and 2031, the first eight rounds of the men’s AFL season will be screened or streamed exclusively by Foxtel on Saturday, the most traditional day of the football calendar, and the seven-season, $4.5bn deal with incumbent broadcasters Foxtel, Telstra and the Seven Network requires some mental gymnastics when assessing the significant positives and potential pitfalls.
