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SANFL bosses urge ABC to stick with state sports

SANFL club CEOs have voiced their concerns about state-based sports possibly being cut by the ABC.

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The South Australian National Football League is in talks with the ABC, as speculation mounts about state-based sports possibly being cut by the broadcaster.

It follows the announcement of ABC production jobs being lost in several states.

WAFL in Western Australia is also under a cloud. Last year the ABC abandoned its future coverage of the Hopman Cup in Perth.

SANFL club CEOs have voiced their concerns over the uncertainty that exists over the future of ABC Television’s long running coverage of SANFL football.

Glenelg CEO Rob Nelson told Portside Messenger mainstream exposure was vital for the game’s progression.

“I can say, without knowing all the details, SANFL coverage by the ABC as a long time broadcaster is highly important and critical to our presence in the market place,’ he said.

“Of course we’d be disappointed but the SANFL has the support of all clubs in its negotiations with the ABC about ongoing coverage.”

North CEO Glenn Elliott said the coverage was important for the league and his club to market themselves.
“Publicity for the SANFL is pretty hard to come by,” Elliott said.

“If we happened to lose something like that is would again reduce the level of exposure the SANFL gets.

“I’m sure many people around SA enjoy the coverage.”

15 Responses

  2. How about the ABC in Victoria today, the game was running a little late, 5 points the margin, deep in the last quarter, and the ABC said they had to go…cut the game off with a minute or so remaining.

    “You can catch the rest of the game on Iview during the week”…pfft, what a joke!

  5. “dustin” (10/08/11 10:32pm), the “National Football” in SANFL, Australia’s Oldest surviving domestic football competition, is in reference and dedication to Australia’s one true NATIONAL football code – Australian Rules ( NB: not “AFL” as those in the Rugby states – and Andrew Demetriou – refer to it.) The SANFL has worn the “National Football” name since changing from the SAFL in 1927, when other leagues around the country (naturally, not the VFL) were remamed in a similar vein.

    To the coverage. Maybe the ABC could do away with live coverage of the state leagues and outsource the whole thing to a European-based company and replace all the players, umpires and spectators with Australian voiced Singaporean computer animations? Hey, they did it to a well loved Australian icon, why not this? Are you thinking what I’m thinking B1?

    Seriously though, with continued rationalisation and centralisation, it seems some of the ABC’s ivory tower dwellers may need a refresher course in the concept of “service”. It’s Not a dirty word. If state league coverage (with the iView replays) goes under, the tacky time-filler coverage of the Pay-TV tournament may be the only “national” exposure for any of their sides. Perish the thought.

  6. i dont mind having the Sydney Shute (Sydney’s Rugby Union comp) on in the background on Saturday arvo’s. HIpe it’s still on for the next couple of seasons too

  8. So the boss of SA National Football League wants the ABC to stick with State sports? As opposed to National competitions like the SA National Football League?

  10. Local footy should definitely be on the ABC. And the replays back on ABC2, or bringing back the old State Rules program with highlights from all leagues.
    And there’s still no TSL on iView 🙁

  11. I love watching the VFL on ABC1 of a Saturday arvo so really hope this keeps going. This is the ideal sort of sport for the ABC and gives crews and on-air talent an opportunity to develop skills. If they drop it I’m sure Foxtel will pick it up but the sport will be the loser in terms of reduced exposure.

  12. Sending out 6 full OB crews around the coutnry every Saturday must cost a fair bit. In the past other sports have paid some of these production costs. NBL and some golf tournaments come to mind in the late 90s early 00s. Not sure if these arrangements are in place with state leagues but they might have to consider it to conitune the coverage.

  13. If the SANFL is axed along with other state based leagues then they will just migrate to FOX Sports as part of their footy coverage on their new footy channel. Foxtel already cover and sponsor the Foxtel Cup, which is a competition where state footy clubs from each state compete against each other. I for one am not quite sure why they are all of sudden axing their in house content. My possible guess is that the ABC can sense a cut in funding in order for the govt to be in surplus by 2012/2013.

  14. David, could you also include this facebook page in your article if possible please? facebook.com/#!/pages/Save-the-SANFL-on-the-ABC/246488545373214

    It has over 2000 likes in just 4 days.

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