Recently, journalist Martin Flanagan addressed the AFL club presidents and CEOs. An edited version of his speech is here::The meaning of football
In particular, I draw your attention to these paragraphs: "The quandary facing Australian football is that we have a world-class game played, and followed, by only a tiny fraction of the world's population. That can work both for us and against us.
The reason we weren't raided by Rupert Murdoch in the way that rugby league was a couple of years ago was because there wasn't a sufficient global audience for our game. Similarly, I don't believe our code will ever be seriously challenged by the National Soccer League while the likes of Harry Kewell play in Europe; part of the magic of sport is the belief that you're watching the best.
But the world of global entertainment is upon us. Australian football evolved in the same sort of cultural isolation that created West Indian cricket. The present state of West Indian cricket shows what can happen when that isolation is breached."
I don't fully agree with Martin Flanagan here, I think the danger to Aussie rules if it doesn't face the international threat is very real. The sport must seek to develop that global audience to survive. There must be international development or else.
He's absolutely right though that the lack of a large international audience is working against the sport. If for no other reason than it is one of the great sporting spectacles around and it would be a huge success... if only potential fans were exposed to it. This is exactly the thinking behind what AFANA wants to do in North America.
He's also correct that the world of global entertainment is here and the sooner the AFL comes to terms with that the better off it will be.
-Rob (who is glad someone addressed the AFL on this point!)
Posted by rkdesantos at March 3, 2004 02:04 AM
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Hi Rob, I was saddened to find that this year there wont be a game played at the oval in London due to ground redevelopment, although much to your good fortune, unless i am mistaken, there will be a game played in LA due for jan next year, correct me if I am wrong. now to my queery, does this mean there will be some media attention? I hope so because I beleive that there is a whole world of opportunity in Radio and Television promotion, considering the audience potential now with the growth of the game in the US
Posted by: brenton at July 25, 2004 05:25 PMHi Brenton,
How much opportunity there is depends on how the AFL proceeds. At this point, they are being secretive about the whole project and the promoters won't contact us or work with us. We can't even find out where the proposed venue is!
There is long thread on this at the AFANA BBS. Just go to our home page and click on Bulletin Board.
Posted by: Rob de Santos at July 26, 2004 10:55 AMHello, I can't help but notice the cries of the american viewers over the AFL. I live Alabama and discovered the AFL game just last night. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to help promote viewership of the sport. I live in Birmingham Alabama and work at an advertising firm. I would love to join in on the crusade!!
Thanks,
Tracy
Tracy,
Welcome aboard. We'll take help where we can get it. If you would like to talk get in touch with me directly by e-mail or our toll free number (888-423-2621) and we can figure out how you can best contribute.
hi if Tracey could get in touch with me I have a product that could help the AFL imensly, as Tracy is in the Advertising game there might be greater scope for it's promotion
Posted by: brentonb at September 30, 2004 07:04 AM