AFANA Footy BBS

http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php?story=2005071400495314

Maybe we will see footy on NBC in future?

World Footy News

> Maybe we will see footy on NBC in future?

Not likely.

I've seen the story on World Footy News and while I respect their reportage and we have an informal relationship between our sites, do not assume that any of this will happen. There were good reasons why this was not in today's AFANA TV newsletters.

Wizard was beaten out for the sponsorships they wanted with the AFL itself so they took their money and walked over to Collingwood. Good on them. But just because GE acquired Wizard for it's insurance business does not mean that another component business (CNBC) is going to air Collingwood matches in Asia or NBC will in the US.

First off, until the end of 2006, Fox Sports International has exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the sport and only Fox and the AFL can wave those. They won't. Second, Asia already gets more of the Eddie channel than they need thanks to ABC Asia Pacific. The Australian Broadcasting Company's channel is widely available in Asia and the Pacific for free. They carry up to 5 games a week including Nine's coverage. In the US, Fox Soccer Channel has exclusive rights and I seriously doubt they would simply let NBC air matches. Now, after 2006, who knows who will have the rights, but why NBC would want to make Collingwood it's flagship for introducing Aussie rules to US viewers, I have no idea.

The AFL has said nothing about this and I will run it by them. If a deal with Wizard had all these benefits then why wouldn't the AFL have done the deal themselves? There hasn't been a word in any of the TV industry press either and that suggests CNBC isn't talking it up either. It all smacks of blatant promotion by Eddie and Collingwood of a great sponsorship deal and nothing more.

The World Footy News story indicates negotiations are going on... perhaps, but the AFL has exclusive rights to negotate TV deals on behalf of the clubs so they, not the Pies, would have to be at the table. Why they would want to isn't clear yet.

AFANA will follow up on this story in detail and we will report on it in our TV and Media newsletter next week.

-Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman

AFANA Blog

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/GE-adds-support-for-Wizard-to-kick-more-goals/2005/05/13/1115843367400.html

Yes pie (no pun intended) in the sky stuff probably and definitely not before 2007 (which is mentioned). But as the above article which predates the announcement yesterday there is a possibility that GE may use their media muscle to be involved in that next lot of media rights. And dont think Eddie and Channel 9 arent looking for all the help they can get. If that was to come off then NBC (even though I am sure it very low on their list of priorities) getting the rights internationally may come into it.

World Footy News

> Yes pie (no pun intended) in the sky stuff probably and definitely not before 2007
> (which is mentioned). But as the above article which predates the announcement
> yesterday there is a possibility that GE may use their media muscle to be involved
> in that next lot of media rights.

I remain highly skeptical that there is much fire here to match the smoke.

I read the article you reference and the one on the AFL web site. Neither provide any substantive backup for the claims. Ten years of watching US media companies has made me cautious about anything like this.

GE and NBC do not have an international distribution arm like that of Fox, ESPN, or IMG to my knowledge. Even if all of this is true, the last thing the AFL needs is another "strategic partner" who can't deliver.

I will be seeking clarification from the appropriate parties and we'll see where that goes.

-Rob de Santos
AFANA Chairman

AFANA Blog