A-League clubs are "set to enter the new financial year not knowing the size of their grant for next season after rejecting Football Federation Australia's latest funding offer," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The "rift" between club chairs and FFA "deepened" on Tuesday when several clubs rejected the governing body's latest proposal, some labeling it "a slap in the face." After all 10 club owners "stormed out of a meeting" with FFA in early May in response to the initial offer of A$3.25M ($2.47M), an improved offer of A$3.55M ($2.69M) "with several conditions failed to appease the clubs," which are demanding a "significant improvement in their share of broadcast, merchandising, sponsorship and ticketing revenue after years of incurring significant losses." Despite signing a record broadcast deal with Fox Sports in December worth A$56M ($42.5M) per season, FFA is yet to reach an agreement with the clubs on "their share of the windfall." The clubs are suggesting the A-League is responsible for 85% of the value of the broadcast deal as well as other revenue streams received by FFA, such as its sponsorship deal with Hyundai. Several clubs rejected FFA's proposed grant on Tuesday. Their initial asking price was A$6M ($4.55M) per season, but sources suggested the clubs "would accept a lower amount" of no less than $4M ($3.04M) in cash (SMH, 6/27).
