Clubs and FFA in the dark as final broadcast payment due date arrives

Football Federation Australia and A-League owners have been kept in the dark over whether or not A-League host broadcaster Fox Sports will pay the final instalment of this season’s deal which is due today.

A source close to the discussions revealed to The World Game that the broadcasting giant has not responded to the club owners’ enquiries around the status of the $12m payment in the lead-up to the April 15 deadline. 

It’s believed the owners, who reportedly spoke overnight about the state of affairs, are convinced that Fox Sports are looking to make a swift exit from the remaining three years of their contract with FFA worth $57m a year. 

A secondary source confirmed that Fox Sports are legally bound to pay the final instalment but have been refusing to do so. 

It’s understood that prior to the final game of the competition before the A-League suspension was officially announced, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City players were told that it would be imperative to play for the next payment of the deal. 

With rumours swirling that Fox Sports are expected to announce their desire to tear-up the contract imminently, club owners have reportedly been in discussions with other broadcast providers but will be forced to negotiate financial terms at a significantly reduced rate, in spite of the perceived interest.   

According to reports, FFA management are bracing themselves for a legal tussle with Fox Sports management in the instance they decide to walk away and have engaged high-profile barrister, Brett Walker SC.   

In preparing for the worst-case scenario, clubs are allegedly looking to use the potential Fox exodus as leverage to amend the Collective Bargaining Agreement to a lower base when it expires this June. 

An insider confirmed that club chiefs are aiming to halve the salary cap or have it abolished entirely and also pursue opportunities to play at economically feasible boutique stadiums which is something that has been resisted in the past. 

Club bosses are also said to be collaborating with the governing body to develop a “whole of football” broadcast deal which could see the professional game, right through to the grassroots, shown and marketed via a single provider. 

Fox Sports declined to provide a statement to The World Game, simply saying “we never comment on matters to do with the commercial relationships we have with sporting codes”  while FFA did not respond to our request for comment.