WAFL clubs ponder licence deal
The WA Football Commission is seeking greater financial control over WAFL clubs, including the power to screen major sponsorship deals.
The collective licence agreement for the nine WAFL clubs is due for renewal and the commission is formulating a deal for the next four years.
Under proposed changes, all clubs would be required to run any sponsorship deal worth more than $50,000 a year past the WAFC for approval.
The commission would also be granted increased powers to get access to a club's facilities, books and records at a minimum three days' notice to check compliance with licence conditions.
Clauses linked to the planned broadcast deal with Channel 7 do not rule out the prospect of WAFL clubs being asked to provide a future payment to sustain the TV agreement.
_The West Australian _understands two lawyers have been hired by the WAFL clubs to scrutinise the proposed licence, to run from 2015 to 2018.
Clubs are understood to be concerned about the intention of the new sponsorship clause and the potential to scare off funding partners.
Under the previous licence agreement, a WAFL club had to notify the WAFC of a $50,000-plus sponsorship deal, but not seek consent first.
The renewal of a deal with a major sponsor such as Steel Blue, which holds the naming rights to Swan Districts' home ground Bassendean Oval, would need WAFC approval.
Feedback from clubs on the draft agreement was due yesterday.
WAFL council of presidents chairman Brett Raponi said clubs would not agree to the new licence in its draft form. He said the hope was to find common ground with the WAFC.
"The new licence will only be signed when all nine WAFL clubs are satisfied in full," Raponi said.
The issue comes after Claremont and South Fremantle posted financial losses despite receiving about $128,000 extra under the first year of the AFL alignment system.
The WAFC is in the process of trying to secure sponsors for the WAFL broadcast deal. It has lost league naming rights sponsor AAMI and is expected to sign a reduced deal with Patersons Securities for Subiaco Oval for the next three years.
WAFC chief operating officer Nick Sautner said the commission was committed to the WAFL's financial sustainability.
"The proposed amendments to WAFL licence agreements are intended for the overall benefit of the WAFL competition," Sautner said.
"The WAFC will continue to ensure the commercial interests of competition sponsors are prioritised for the mutual benefit of all nine WAFL clubs."
"The new licence will only be signed when all nine WAFL clubs are satisfied in full.""WAFL council of presidents chairman *Brett Raponi *
