Football Federation Australia "has a strong desire" to expand the A-League, though its ability to do so "strongly relies on broadcast partners to fund a competition that could last 33 rounds with six games a week," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
Expansion of the league to a 12-team competition "remains the ultimate goal" of FFA, but that "will largely hinge on the off-field success of the new season and the crucial support from broadcast partners" Season 10 of the A-League "could prove to be the most critical yet as its ability to maintain the viewer, spectator and membership growth of recent years will prove influential." A-League CEO Damien De Bohun said that the groundwork for expansion "will begin early this season when the FFA opens talks with broadcast partners over funding of a 12-team competition involving six televised games a week." As such, the importance of further improving TV ratings, attendances and memberships within the league "will become the governing body's priority this season." De Bohun: "This is a critical year. We're expecting continued growth, we're pushing forward into the mainstream, which is very important" (SMH, 10/3).
