The AFL Aussie rules football competition is considering an extension of its long-running rights deal with commercial broadcaster Seven, according to The Age.
The newspaper reported that AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan is weighing up a further two-year deal with Seven. The new deal would extend the two parties’ relationship until 2024.
In August 2015, the AFL awarded domestic rights to Seven, pay-television operator Foxtel and telco Telstra in a six-year deal that covers the 2017 to 2022 seasons. The rights will be worth a total of AUD$2.508bn (€1.53bn/$1.69bn), which represents a 67-per-cent increase on the 2012 to 2016 cycle.
Seven is paying AUD$840m in cash and AUD$60m in contra for the rights, with Foxtel paying AUD$1.3bn and Telstra paying about AUD$300m.
The report has emerged as Seven chief executive Tim Worner was yesterday (Thursday) removed from his position and replaced by James Warburton.