Rob's Thoughts

Chapter IV of Responses to Fan Survey Comments

Our survey of footy fans in North America is wrapping up and I have a few more comments from the surveys I'd like to respond to.  As before, this is intended to be have a bit of humor in it and all comments are paraphrased.   If you haven't yet completed the survey and reside in the US or Canada, please do so right away as the survey will be closing in the next few days.

"We need it on TV in the US."
"Please don't take it off the air."
"Please show all the games."

The reason why AFANA exists is to provide a voice for the fans of the sport and to help insure footy stays on TV.  We can only do this with your support.  That includes memberships, so join up if you haven't already!  I should also note, in case someone out there doesn't understand this, AFANA has no direct control over what the AFL or FOX Sports choose to do.  We are your lobbying organization and can influence their decisions but if we lose coverage at some point, it won't be because AFANA and it's members didn't make a maximum effort.    We want as much coverage as we can get.  

"The merchandise could be cheaper.  80 bucks for a tank top?"

When AFANA sold the merchandise itself, we priced clothing as low as we could and still make enough money to be worth the effort.  Unfortunately, the jumpers aren't cheap, even at wholesale.  Retail prices must include the royalties to the AFL, shipping from Australia, some margin for varying exchange rates, allowance for customs duties, etc.   If you think the prices are high, you haven't been to one of the stores in the malls that sell NFL, NBA, or NHL jerseys in a while.   AFANA eventually found that even at the prices we were charging, profits were very marginal and that's why we now sell on a commission basis only and let Australian companies fill the orders and ship directly to you.  

"I didn't sign up for the coverage because of the uncertainty surrounding it."

I can't understand that.  This year, despite the uncertainty between the seasons, everything was nailed down by March and we had schedules available by early April.   If you want a season without uncertainty in coverage, and I want as many of those as I can get, you're in for a rough ride.   That's only happened perhaps 3 times in the 8 years I've been following this.  

"Anyone who chooses more than one team is a fraud."

I soooo love objectivity.  Geez.   That comment came from an Australian living in Australia who completed the survey anyway.  Let me explain North Americans and footy to you.  Those of us born on this side of the pond didn't grow up with a family or neighborhood allegiance to a particular footy club.  We love the sport.   So in studying the surveys, we note that probably more than half of the respondents selected more than one club.  Deal with it.

"I can't understand the marketing strategy for the sport."

No, neither can I.  See earlier blog.

"What about getting footy back on the local FOX Sports Net channels."

From all indications, FOX Sports World won't share it with other FOX Sports channels in order to maintain exclusivity.  Or at least that's what we've been told by sources in the past.  The FOX Sports Nets also want sponsorship money or they won't air it for financial reasons.   AFANA encouraged fans to lobby FOX Sports Net to pick up the Grand Final on tape delay last year and fan interest wasn't there so we've dropped any effort to push this.

"I wish Fox Sports World would promote the shows more during the week not just during the shows!"

Well, gee, that would make waaaay too much sense now wouldn't it?  I have no clue to why they do what they do.  And oh yea, that commercial they have which calls Brisbane "Bris-bane" is offensive to the ears.  (Yea, AFANA told them they had the pronunciation wrong and they haven't fixed it.)

"The shows need segments to explain the sport to new fans."
"There should be an introduction to footy show run prior to or during the season."

One of the goals of the survey is to find out how fans feel about this issue but I will say I agree personally that running the outdated "A-Z" program only during Grand Final week doesn't cut it.

"Please air the games quickly after the actual game, It takes too long."
Please feature several games per week and give advance notice who is playing."

OK, pay attention:  AFANA is not in charge of the telecasts.   What we can say is there are tradeoffs.  You want the games sooner?  Then fans must accept the risk that a few matches are lost here and there since the AFL insists on shipping old fashioned video tapes around the world by air.  I'd love more games per week and I've addressed that in an earlier blog as well.  Advance notice of who is playing?  You mean you don't get our newsletters or check our TV page? We list the clubs to be featured every friggin' week.    

Well, that's all for now.  My next blog on the survey will, in all probability, be a review of the results.  Thanks to all of you who have completed the survey.

-Rob (who is stoked that the Grand Final is almost here!)