Sky Television is interested in "developing its TV rights deals with
both the A-League and New Zealand Football, as football's national body
attempts to help secure" A-League side Wellington Phoenix's A-League license extension, according to Simon Plumb of STUFF. Every club in the A-League has been "granted a 20-year licence
extension apart from the Phoenix, with money understood to be a key
sticking point for league operator Football Federation Australia in
renewing terms with the sole Kiwi franchise." Sky rejected questioning over how "much value for money it is getting
on the current A-League deal, and whether that's in proportion" to the
National Rugby League terms. A Sky spokesperson said, "Our agreements with third parties are confidential and we don't negotiate through the media." NZF CEO Andy Martin said the national body is
"working with the Phoenix on the subject and he met with FFA officials in
Sydney last week." Martin: "The Phoenix and NZF are aligned on this in that we want to drive
football together. The Phoenix is an integral part of what we do and a
key area of where we look to develop All Whites" (STUFF, 10/27).
