Backers secured for WAFL TV
The WA Football Commission is close to announcing its long-awaited broadcast deal for the WAFL next year after securing three partners to fund the $1 million television agreement with Channel 7.
In-principle agreements have been reached with each of the partners and the signing of contracts is now considered a formality.
_The Weekend West _understands there will be one major partner which will also take on the competition naming rights as a replacement for former sponsor and insurer AAMI. The two other businesses are likely to be labelled presenting partners.
The three-year television rights deal with Channel 7 will replace the coverage provided by long-running broadcaster ABC and is expected to be announced next month.
WAFC chief operating officer Nick Sautner said the commission was still keen to have more backers.
"We have agreed in principle with three presenting partners and contracts have been issued," he said.
"We continue to work diligently to secure the additional funds required and we remain confident and encourage any business in WA who would like to support grassroots football to make contact."
The WAFC is likely to contribute about $100,000 a season towards the annual $1 million cost, in line with its previous commitment to the ABC coverage.
The nine WAFL clubs may still be asked to contribute part of their marketing budget towards the broadcast arrangements.
However, any financial commitment to underwrite the coverage is now expected to be well short of the $50,000 a club previously flagged.
Progress on the broadcast front was confirmed as the WAFC also prepares to sign off on Patersons Securities being the naming rights sponsor for Subiaco for the next three years.
Commission chiefs are bullish about the deal with Patersons being in place by December 31.
The stockbroking and financial firm is willing to commit to a substantially reduced deal given the Subiaco venue's limited life span, as all AFL games will move to the new Burswood stadium from 2018.
·De-listed West Coast defender Blayne Wilson will play for South Fremantle next year. Another former Eagle, Cale Morton, has quit Perth to return to Victoria.
