It behooves the AFL to try and extract the greatest value possible for the rights and they will want to have a decent level of confidence that the deal is the best each bidder is in a position to offer.
You can’t rely on a relationship from 10+ years ago, as such a good previous relationship is worth little now especially given so much has changed in the since the relationship ended (especially on Ten’s side of the deal).
Surely there is a limit to how much you’d be willing to accept the broadcaster will change or start doing in considering doing a deal of this magnitude - while it might be easy to accept that P+ will improve their streaming product by the time the deal commences, accepting something like they’ll get the “right people” (amongst other things) may be a bit of a push
That’s not to say that 10/P+ can’t deliver what they offer - it could be a considerable risk for the AFL to consider (and if they’re pushing for a better deal from Fox/Seven, maybe they do have some concerns)
You’ve also got to wonder if Paramount’s management style (where they’ve shifted a significant amount of Ten’s decision-making off-shore) also raises concern - especially when you’re trying to convince a group of people who have little idea what the AFL is.
We need a change. Anyone but Seven/Fox. 10/P+ or 9/Stan would be way better. All the games under one roof. No simulcasts. They are duds and treating the coverage like shit. Enough of these also ran deals. We need new innovations and voices in the the coverage.
So you’re saying that organisations cannot change, evolve and innovate. What a load of rubbish. They would probably get experienced AFL coverage people and similar OB companies to do the coverage.
If you are offering more money and more comprehensive coverage than what currently is on offer then it is balck and white.
I’m sure AFL is looking at how poor A Leauge is doing and it’s coverage and wonders whether it could do more damage to the product than good. Is that really worth the extra money?
I can guarantee you a lot of hosts / commentators (staff and crew) would just more over to Ten. But its still a massive risk for the AFL to change networks, especially with a network that struggles to deliver a daily news service.
There’s still two full seasons (2023,2024) before this new rights deal even starts.
By entering a new agreement this year it means there is plenty of time for a potential new broadcaster/streamer to setup their offering, improve their app, promote their coverage etc.
I suspect by 2025 a lot of the concerns people have with a potential 7/Fox or 10/Paramount+ deal will be gone.
Nevertheless, it’s funny watching you lot bicker over semantics.
Perhaps the AFL should be more worried about Seven’s recent court action involving sports rights. Pay too much then try to get out of the contact. Who’s to say the same thing won’t happen if Seven are pushed too far with the amount they end up paying.
I feel like if 10 get AFL rights, Seven will try to sue them like they did when Nine/Ten/Foxtel got AFL rights in the early 2000s and tried to sue them all. We know that if Seven doesn’t get what they want, they throw a big tantrum and sue.
I hope 10/Paramount+ get rights off Seven/Foxtel. The latters coverage is crappy at the moment, and needs to change. No more simulcast deals. I unfortunately think Seven/Foxtel will retain rights though. The AFL favour them too much.
Like I said in the Seven Cricket thread, I can see 10 getting Cricket off Seven if they ditch rights, or at least BBL with Nine getting Tests. Maybe they could do a 10/Paramount/Foxtel/Kayo simulcast for the first few years, then in 2024 10/Paramount+ try to get it exclusively.
No way. BBL will be dead before the next rights comes about if they continue with simulcast.
I hope AFL makes an informed decision with their choices. They can either take a risk with bigger rewards (Ala 10 with P+) or stick with the incumbent and get less money/certainty (7/Fox). I know which one I’d be leaning towards.
I’d like to think that by the time they get it 10 will be able to put up a decent product on the table along with P+. They might seem a bit weak at the moment with A League but their track record has been good so I think they could and will impress come 2025.
Meanwhile Seven and Fox will stay par on course with the same old.
