AFANA Footy BBS

Readers,
This was in the footy feedback on the Melbourne Herald Sun web page. Does anybody know what this guy is talking about? USAFL games on American TV? Just curious.

BBay

Your feedback up until November 1
02 November 2004 Herald Sun

From: Keith Campbell
Comment: The AFL has decided to persevere with the International Rules Series for 10 YEARS according to its chief Andrew D. The AFL ran a poll on its own website on the future of the concept. Result was 40% of voters which was the majority were not interested in the hybrid game. So is the AFL listening to its supporters - Probably not. Aussie Rules Internationally continues to expand without much AFL official support except for NZ, PNG and South Africa or any obvious benefits YET from the I/R game. The 3 year domestic TV deal just signed in the USA will result in about 10 USAFL games in 2005 being telecast on a new free to air network. This will bring in recruits and sponsors to the USAFL over the 3 year life of the deal.

> Readers,
> This was in the footy feedback on the Melbourne Herald Sun web page. Does anybody
> know what this guy is talking about? USAFL games on American TV? Just curious.

> BBay

> Your feedback up until November 1
> 02 November 2004 Herald Sun

> From: Keith Campbell
> Comment: The AFL has decided to persevere with the International Rules Series for 10
> YEARS according to its chief Andrew D. The AFL ran a poll on its own website on the
> future of the concept. Result was 40% of voters which was the majority were not
> interested in the hybrid game. So is the AFL listening to its supporters - Probably
> not. Aussie Rules Internationally continues to expand without much AFL official
> support except for NZ, PNG and South Africa or any obvious benefits YET from the I/R
> game. The 3 year domestic TV deal just signed in the USA will result in about 10
> USAFL games in 2005 being telecast on a new free to air network. This will bring in
> recruits and sponsors to the USAFL over the 3 year life of the deal.

Brian,
I posted that info on the feedback column.
The deal has been signed by both parties.
More info at www.worldfootynews.com
It has also been confirmed to me by one of the US clubs involved in the deal.
Will probably take the 3 year life of the deal to get some benefits. But it is a "potential" boost to the sport in the US.

Yes, I can also confirm the deal. It's the coverage referred to in one of the AFANA TV newsletters late in the season. We will have more on it soon. I'm downunder so it will have to wait until I return.

-Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman