Argentine football "is advancing toward a change," according to Daniel Avellaneda of CLARÍN. TV program Fútbol Para Todos Coordinator Fernando Marín confirmed that an offer has come in from Turner, "one that could be shared with another foreign broadcaster," which could be Fox. Together, the two would pay 2.5B Argentine pesos ($170M), which would represent a 50% increase from the 1.6B Argentine pesos provided by the government this season. With Turner and Fox -- or another broadcaster -- associated, the contract will run through Dec. '19, when Argentine President Mauricio Macri's current term will end. Under "the planned scheme, Cablevisión, DirecTV and other cable operators will manage content distribution and Torneos would be in charge of production." It "is no coincidence that this proposal has been revealed now, as delegates from FIFA are finishing up reforms to Argentine FA statutes." With "the new stage set and the decision of the clubs to end the 30-team first division, the path is clear." Starting next year, then, "the free-TV coverage of football games will end and they will return to the pay-per-view system." After three days "of intense meetings, FIFA execs closed their talks with AFA directors." The new statute will introduce an exec committee -- renamed a council -- consisting of 15 members and an assembly of 56 representatives, plus 12 members of so-called "interest groups," including futsal, beach football, women's football, referees, players and coaches (CLARÍN, 11/9). In Buenos Aires, González & Czyz reported "the speculation about the broadcasters interested in carrying Argentine football has proven true." Marín received a formal offer from Turner and Fox for 2.5B Argentine pesos per year, starting in January. As there "are elections in '17, the Argentine government was able to convince the networks to offer games on free-TV next year." Starting in '18, "fans will have to pay." The contract with Fox and Turner "is for 15 years, with revisions every five years, and it will be a partnership: the earnings will be shared with the AFA" (LA NACION, 11/9).
