The AFL has landed two important new broadcast rights deal just as its season restarted following the COVID-19 break.
Seven West Media announced on Thursday evening that a revised contract had been set with the AFL for the rest of this season and the remainder of the broadcast deal in 2021-2022, plus an extension of two years for seasons 2023 and 2024.
And on Friday morning the AFL also announced a revised deal had been finalised with Foxtel, while the Telstra deal had remained unchanged.
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said the revised five-year deal with Seven for 2020-2024 was for $730 million or an average of $146 million per year for free to air rights.
Seven West Media managing director and chief executive James Warburton said the deal provides certainty for the parties over the next five years.
"The AFL and Seven are a core part of each other's DNA, and we are delighted to have not only reached a revised agreement for the current contract term, but to have extended our relationship for a further two seasons taking the agreement through until the end of 2024," Warburton said.
"I’d like to thank AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and the AFL Commission for their commitment which gives certainty to both parties over the next five years."
Seven will receive a 19 per cent saving and a net benefit of $87 million over the remainder of the current deal through to the end of 2022 before the extended rights deal kicks in.
McLachlan also thanked Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delaney for his company's support of the game.
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said: "It's been a long road back for footy and working through the impact of COVID-19 on the game has been tough for everyone involved - fans, players, clubs and the AFL and its broadcast partners.
"We have a great long-term partnership with the AFL and we are incredibly pleased to be in a position to have footy back on Foxtel from tonight, every game, every round, every game live and ad free during play."
The Telstra arrangement remains unchanged and McLachlan thanked Telstra CEO Andy Penn for his ongoing commitment to the game and building a digital audience which is at record levels.
McLachlan said the structure of the broadcast agreements remain consistent with current arrangements.
