Sydney FC Chair Scott Barlow said that the A-League is only at "50 percent of its true potential," according to Sebastian Hassett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Barlow said the competition must "clearly define" its ambitions if it wants to "keep pace with the surging development" in China and the U.S. After successive years of growth and public interest, the A-League "has plateaued on several metrics," most notably with Barlow's fellow owners "refusing to import big-name marquee signings." Questions about the league's future "have also arisen regarding expansion, the addition of a proposed national second division" and the importance of the next TV deal in generating income for a sport "far behind the others in total revenue." In his address to the Sydney FC in business lunch, Barlow said that it was "no time to be timid." He said, "Today, the A-League is a central and entrenched part of the Australian sporting landscape and many of you in the room today have played an important role in that growth and success. But our job is only half done. The A-League is today only 50 percent of its true potential and we cannot afford to take our foot off the accelerator. Now is the time to be bold about our next phase of growth" (SMH, 3/23). The AAP reported Barlow pointed to Major League Soccer, the Chinese Super League and Indian Super League as young leagues "leading the way in both ambition and investment." All are backed by big broadcast deals -- the CSL's is worth a "massive" A$1.7B ($1.3B) -- and "are benefiting from the presence of high-profile marquees." Barlow: "We're seeing greater and greater levels of demand from broadcasters for football content with a number of new, non-traditional players entering the market" (AAP, 3/23).
