AFL boss Gillon McLachan says he's "very confident" the next broadcast deal for the sport will be its biggest yet.
McLachlan, who was in Sydney on Monday as a guest of the Greater Western Sydney club, said he was almost certain the next broadcast deal would eclipse the current $1.258 billion agreement.
"I certainly feel very confident we'll deliver a record deal - a record deal being bigger than last," he told a Sydney Business Chamber lunch on Monday.
"We're ... hugely bullish in where our game is at (and) sporting rights generally."
The current five-year deal with Channel Seven, Foxtel and Telstra will expire after the 2016 season, with negotiations for a new deal expected to start in coming weeks.
McLachlan said last season's strong ratings, widening national popularity of the sport and the "tent pole" quality of sports rights for broadcasters backed up his prediction.
He also said the next deal would be different to prior arrangements given the "evolution" in the media industry, such as a growth in internet viewing.
Asked if he'd consider splitting the rights across multiple free-to-air channels, McLachlan replied: "We'll look at anything."
McLachlan's comments came after New Corp Australia reported the AFL was poised to negotiate the most lucrative sports deal in Australian television history, with an opening bid of between $1.5 to $1.6 billion.
Despite his confident prediction, McLachlan wouldn't be drawn into speculation on the figure for the next broadcast deal.
"What I would say is we've had an incredibly successful partnership over the last few years, with Channel Seven and Foxtel," he said.
"If we could continue it ... I'd love that."
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