ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced a broadcast media partnership deal for A-League and Westfield W-League.
The new deal -- reported to be worth as much as $200 million -- marks the end of the A-League and Westfield W-League’s 15-year partnership with Fox Sports.
The five-year agreement starts next season with the A-League’s match of the round broadcast live on Ten at 7:30pm on Saturdays.
10 Bold will be the new home of the Westfield W-League, with a match broadcast live every Sunday of the league. All free-to-air matches will also be simulcast on 10 Play.
And A-League and Westfield W-League games will be available on Paramount+ which launches in August for $8.99 a month.
ViacomCBS’ has also taken a minor stake in APL to share in the game’s growth over coming seasons.
Beverley McGarvey, chief content officer , ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand: “We are thrilled to partner with the Australian Professional Leagues to become the new home of football for both the A-League and Westfield W-League, giving all Australians access to more football than ever before.
"As part of this landmark media rights partnership, all the action, excitement and fierce competition of the A-League and Westfield W-League will be broadcast on Network 10 and Paramount+.
“Ensuring broad reach on free-to-air, as well as extensive access on Paramount+, we are committed to showcasing the sport in innovative ways and exposing it to a plethora of programming opportunities across all our platforms, including those of our parent company ViacomCBS.”
Jarrod Villani, chief operating and commercial officer, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand: “The distinct alignment between our audiences further cements our strategy and commitment to broadcasting the sport. In addition to exhibiting the most diverse and youngest fanbase in Australia, football also boasts the highest male and female participation rate for a sport in Australia, and it’s still growing.
“And, we are proud to be making the Westfield W-League available to all Australians for the first time on commercial free-to-air television.
“We are looking forward to working with the Australian Professional Leagues and establishing one of the best sporting partnerships in the world.”
APL Chairman Paul Lederer: “Less than six months ago we pledged to create value for the whole ecosystem of Australian football, and this deal is the first step in our delivering on that promise.
“This agreement with one of the world’s biggest content providers, is exactly the kind of significant and vital milestone we have always believed was possible - and that we intend to continue achieving.”
APL Managing Director, Danny Townsend: “Fundamental to our strategy is a determination to ensure that we connect and engage with every Australian. This agreement starts that process by giving the game unprecedented reach and the backing of an absolutely iconic and globally renowned broadcaster.
“Football is played all over Australia, and the creative power that this partnership will deliver can unlock what we believe is an audience the game has never managed to reach before.”
APL Chairman Paul Lederer paid tribute to the partnership with Fox Sports.
“Though this marks the start of a new era for the Leagues, Fox Sports has been a great friend of football since the beginning and we’re incredibly grateful for their support and investment over the past 16 years,” Lederer says.
“We thank Patrick Delany and his team for everything they have done for us and for their commitment to help partner us through this transition.”
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