WAFL hits TV jackpot
The WAFL match of the round would be played at the WACA Ground next year under a proposal to broadcast the State league on commercial television.
But Channel 9 wants the WAFL to find at least $800,000 to cover its annual costs before it considers a five-year deal to broadcast the competition.
And Seven West Media (owner of _The West Australian _) would also be interested in covering the WAFL if its production costs were met by the league.
The nine WAFL clubs would require significant compensation to give up two or three home matches a season.
Clubs earn about $50,000 a home game in gate receipts, memberships and bar income.
The WAFL is currently negotiating with several potential sponsors and business development manager Graeme Dix is confident a major deal worth up to $1 million a year could be struck.
The WAFL's current $500,000 annual deal with insurer AAMI expires at the end of this season. AAMI's parent company Suncorp is understood to be the front- runner to become the WAFL's major sponsor. A meeting next Monday could trigger the next stage of negotiations.
The ABC has broadcast the WAFL since 1987 and recently took up its one-year option to cover the sport this season.
But there is no certainty that the ABC, which provides Statewide coverage and is considered by the WAFL to be its major marketing arm, will cover the league next season.
The ABC has threatened for several years to end its coverage of State leagues around the country, saying its priorities had shifted to women's and Paralympic sports.
The uncertainty over the ABC coverage prompted the Queensland Rugby League to negotiate a deal with Channel 9 last season that saw increased ratings in the State competition.
Channel 9 is understood to bel- ieve that the successful Queens- land model could be applied to the WAFL.
Channel 9 general manager Paul Bowen was excited about a potential long-term deal to cover the WAFL but was reluctant to comment in detail.
"What I can say is that we are working with the WA Football Commission to put in place a business plan to underwrite WAFL broadcasts Statewide on Nine's main channel and WIN in 2014," he said.
WAFC chief executive Gary Walton welcomed a potential partnership with Channel 9.
"A commercial broadcast could be a major boost for the profile of the WAFL competition and its clubs," Walton said.
"The WAFC is currently investigating opportunities with Channel 9 to increase the promotion, exposure and profile of the WAFL competition for the 2014 season onwards."
Seven West Media chief executive Chris Wharton confirmed that a proposal had been put to the commission.
"We would do it because we support football," Wharton said.
"But they would have to pay the production costs."
The introduction of full club alignments with West Coast and Fremantle next season, and the likely use of stronger AFL branding in the WAFL, is also understood to make the State league more attractive to a commercial network.
The WAFL will pay the ABC about $120,000 this year to help fund its broadcast.
The WACA appeals to Channel 9 because the network already has infrastructure at the ground for its annual cricket coverage. Using one venue would limit production and broadcast costs.
The WACA, which has hosted 680 WAFL matches since 1898, is eager to find a winter tenant and would embrace football as a means to drive memberships and increase income.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews confirmed that negotiations had taken place with the WAFL but nothing concrete had been agreed to.
"A commercial broadcast could be a major boost for the profile of the WAFL competition.""WAFC chief executive *Gary Walton *
