Racing officials "are concerned that the four principal Victorian clubs that own the vision and media rights for this state have still not signed" a A$200M ($155M) contract offered by wagering company Tabcorp, according to Patrick Bartley of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. A contract worth A$25M a year, over eight years, for the domestic and int'l rights as well as non-exclusive digital rights, "was offered to the Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club, Moonee Valley Racing Club and Country Racing last Monday." The rights committee overseeing the negotiations "passed on the offer to the clubs last Monday." But it is believed Tabcorp "has heard nothing from the four clubs and some insiders are concerned that there is so much ill-feeling among the rights holders that the deal with Tabcorp could be in jeopardy." The original deal had been over 10 years but the new deal over eight years will realize an extra A$130M for the four clubs "without the imploding TVN being a financial factor."
Tabcorp insiders were "flabbergasted" the deal was still on the table but pressure "will now be on Racing Victoria to gather the four clubs together and sign the deal" (SMH, 2/16).
