Football Federation Australia is "teaming up with the Walt Disney Company Australia for a special Star Wars-themed A-League round next month," according to Matthew Sullivan of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Round 10 of the A-League, which kicks off on Dec. 8, will be the official Star Wars round. It coincides with the release of the latest installment of the movie franchise, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi." FFA CEO David Gallop said, "Like football, Star Wars has super fans that span the globe, it's a hugely successful franchise and to incorporate this into a round of the Hyundai A-League is very exciting." The round will feature character appearances, themed activities, content on the big screen and giveaways. A "limited edition BB-8 supporter football has been produced and is available for fans to purchase," in honor of the droid character from the '15 film "The Force Awakens" (SMH, 11/28). In London, Kate O'Halloran reported A-League teams "leapt on the concept with as much enthusiasm as they could muster." Gallop said that the round was a way to "engage with new audiences and expand the football family" -- perhaps "hinting" that while football worldwide might have the audience of the Star Wars franchise, the A-League does not. Perhaps "unsurprisingly," the announcement "appeared to alienate members of the existing A-League family, with many ridiculing the concept on social media." This is not the first time Australian sport has "turned to blockbuster American franchises to sell its product," with the National Rugby League this year having run a third version of its ISC Marvel Heroes round (GUARDIAN, 11/27).
