Football Federation Australia has admitted "protecting TV money will
continue to take priority over the widespread desire" for the A-League to
break for int'l FIFA dates, according to Sebastian Hassett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The FFA said that any loss in broadcasting
revenue resulting from a break in the A-League schedule would "affect
sustainability and even potential expansion plans." The FIFA-designated int'l window affected "virtually
every A-League match last weekend," with int'l call-ups "depriving many
teams of star players." The FFA wants it known that commercial realities make it "virtually impossible
for them to take a weekend off, especially at a prime time when the
other codes are out of their domestic seasons." Former Ten network head of sport David White, now the managing director
of Australia for World Sports Group, believes commercial television
networks "will be scared away by the prospect of an inconsistent
schedule." White: "Broadcasters value consistency in scheduling and
fixturing. People have got to know when the matches are on and they tend
to develop a regular viewing pattern based on what they're used to. ... To put a pause in the season threatens to disrupt the interest and
expectations that viewers, advertisers and commercial stakeholders have.
It can take a while to get going again" (SMH, 11/17).
