It is understood that the league met free-to-air network Channel 9 this morning to hear the network’s final offer for the rights. The current rights-holders, free-to-air networks Seven and Ten, will be given the opportunity to better Nine’s offer.
Businessman Eddie McGuire, who has close links to Channel 9 and is the president of Collingwood Football Club, said: “The outcome I want is as much money to come to the AFL so we can invest in areas and make [more] AFL fans. The money invested into the AFL rights will keep the game strong. We want to see as many live games as possible and as much access around the country as we can.”