Latest news with #A-Leagues
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
How hosting the Club World Cup can take the ‘handbrakes' off the A-League
Since assuming control in 2021, the Australian Professional Leagues have struggled to find a working formula to convert the many millions who watch the national teams and overseas leagues, or play the game, into fans of the A-Leagues. After the collapse of the bold KeepUp experiment, the APL has been gripped by financial turmoil, with distributions to clubs falling by almost $1.5 million to just $530,000, and ongoing material concerns about the ability of some clubs to stay afloat. Johnson does not believe unbundling was a mistake, and said there are plenty of examples across world football in which healthy leagues are run independently of their national federation. Asked for his opinion on how the A-League can improve, he said the key was connecting it into global football: a strategy he said was proven by the 2015 Asian Cup and the 2023 Women's World Cup, and will be again by the 2026 Women's Asian Cup. 'That's where there is no other sport that can compete with football, when we are hardwired in and connected to global football,' he said. 'For me, it's not so much about what's holding us back - it's what propels us forward. That's the space we need to continue to play. Because I think that as soon as you bring those [tournaments] back, the handbrakes are off. 'You get the football community, the stakeholders, focused on the competition and the legacy that can be provided, and I think that's where we have seen our quickest growth. So I think implementing a strategy for more global competitions is something that allows the handbrakes to come off.' Johnson had previously flagged FA's desire to bid for the hosting rights for the new Club World Cup, and believes that should be a high priority for the game in the coming years. Despite widespread scepticism across Europe, the first edition of the rebooted tournament - currently being played in the United States - is proving a worthy addition to football's calendar, albeit with the caveat that the calendar itself is jam-packed and at risk of burning out overworked players. The next edition will be held in 2029, and potential hosts are already lining up, including Brazil, Qatar, a combined Spain-Portugal-Morocco bid, and the United States again. An Australian bid, Johnson said, would be extremely appealing to FIFA because of its ability to reach different timezones across Asia. 'It's a competition that I think will, iteration after iteration, get bigger and bigger. It would be a great competition to bring to Australia,' Johnson said. 'That's when I think football becomes interesting to government. Today you have the millions and millions that will watch the Socceroos and Matildas and the millions and millions that play. If the strategy is to ensure that they are watching the A-League, I think the best way to do that ... is to connect the A-League to global club competitions, whether that be the Premier League, Champions League, or the hosting of a major club competition. I think it just adds another element to the game here that we haven't seen. 'The beneficiaries of the Women's World Cup were the national teams and community football. The beneficiaries of a Club World Cup would be the clubs.' Johnson also said FA should not give up hope of hosting the men's World Cup, despite being railroaded out of a bid for the 2034 edition by Saudi Arabia. 'I believe Australia will one day host a men's World Cup. It's a matter of when, not if,' he said. 'I think our 2010 bid was too early, and it's easy to say that in hindsight. But if you look at what we've accomplished since then … we're steadily building a strong track record. If we continue hosting major global tournaments, even youth competitions, we'll become a country like the United States, Canada, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia - nations that are now considered 'normal' hosts for major events. I believe we're already on that trajectory. 'We need to keep doing the work, and all of us have a responsibility to maintain the pressure and continue bringing major competitions to our region.' There is another way to connect the A-Leagues to global club football: through broadcasting, another area which is unrecognisable in Australia compared to when Johnson began at FA in late 2019. Optus Sport is shutting down, having on-sold their football rights packages - headed by the Premier League - to Stan Sport, which is owned by Nine, the publishers of this masthead. That deal means that, for the first time since 2016, the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League are on the same platform again. Loading Meanwhile, the APL is currently in negotiations for a new broadcast agreement. The current contract with Network 10 and Paramount + to show the A-Leagues expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. Though Nine has shown interest, a short-term extension is expected with the incumbent rights holders - and that would lead to a situation where all of the major football rights deals in Australia, including the A-Leagues, Socceroos and Matildas, and Premier League, will all be in market at roughly the same time. 'This landscape is changing rapidly, but one thing remains constant,' Johnson said. 'When you look at where the football audience is, and if we step back from just thinking about Australian football, and instead see ourselves as part of global football here in Australia - that's how I view it - you'll notice that audiences naturally gravitate toward certain properties: World Cups, the Euros, Champions League, Premier League, national team football.
The Age
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
How hosting the Club World Cup can take the ‘handbrakes' off the A-League
Since assuming control in 2021, the Australian Professional Leagues have struggled to find a working formula to convert the many millions who watch the national teams and overseas leagues, or play the game, into fans of the A-Leagues. After the collapse of the bold KeepUp experiment, the APL has been gripped by financial turmoil, with distributions to clubs falling by almost $1.5 million to just $530,000, and ongoing material concerns about the ability of some clubs to stay afloat. Johnson does not believe unbundling was a mistake, and said there are plenty of examples across world football in which healthy leagues are run independently of their national federation. Asked for his opinion on how the A-League can improve, he said the key was connecting it into global football: a strategy he said was proven by the 2015 Asian Cup and the 2023 Women's World Cup, and will be again by the 2026 Women's Asian Cup. 'That's where there is no other sport that can compete with football, when we are hardwired in and connected to global football,' he said. 'For me, it's not so much about what's holding us back - it's what propels us forward. That's the space we need to continue to play. Because I think that as soon as you bring those [tournaments] back, the handbrakes are off. 'You get the football community, the stakeholders, focused on the competition and the legacy that can be provided, and I think that's where we have seen our quickest growth. So I think implementing a strategy for more global competitions is something that allows the handbrakes to come off.' Johnson had previously flagged FA's desire to bid for the hosting rights for the new Club World Cup, and believes that should be a high priority for the game in the coming years. Despite widespread scepticism across Europe, the first edition of the rebooted tournament - currently being played in the United States - is proving a worthy addition to football's calendar, albeit with the caveat that the calendar itself is jam-packed and at risk of burning out overworked players. The next edition will be held in 2029, and potential hosts are already lining up, including Brazil, Qatar, a combined Spain-Portugal-Morocco bid, and the United States again. An Australian bid, Johnson said, would be extremely appealing to FIFA because of its ability to reach different timezones across Asia. 'It's a competition that I think will, iteration after iteration, get bigger and bigger. It would be a great competition to bring to Australia,' Johnson said. 'That's when I think football becomes interesting to government. Today you have the millions and millions that will watch the Socceroos and Matildas and the millions and millions that play. If the strategy is to ensure that they are watching the A-League, I think the best way to do that ... is to connect the A-League to global club competitions, whether that be the Premier League, Champions League, or the hosting of a major club competition. I think it just adds another element to the game here that we haven't seen. 'The beneficiaries of the Women's World Cup were the national teams and community football. The beneficiaries of a Club World Cup would be the clubs.' Johnson also said FA should not give up hope of hosting the men's World Cup, despite being railroaded out of a bid for the 2034 edition by Saudi Arabia. 'I believe Australia will one day host a men's World Cup. It's a matter of when, not if,' he said. 'I think our 2010 bid was too early, and it's easy to say that in hindsight. But if you look at what we've accomplished since then … we're steadily building a strong track record. If we continue hosting major global tournaments, even youth competitions, we'll become a country like the United States, Canada, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia - nations that are now considered 'normal' hosts for major events. I believe we're already on that trajectory. 'We need to keep doing the work, and all of us have a responsibility to maintain the pressure and continue bringing major competitions to our region.' There is another way to connect the A-Leagues to global club football: through broadcasting, another area which is unrecognisable in Australia compared to when Johnson began at FA in late 2019. Optus Sport is shutting down, having on-sold their football rights packages - headed by the Premier League - to Stan Sport, which is owned by Nine, the publishers of this masthead. That deal means that, for the first time since 2016, the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League are on the same platform again. Loading Meanwhile, the APL is currently in negotiations for a new broadcast agreement. The current contract with Network 10 and Paramount + to show the A-Leagues expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. Though Nine has shown interest, a short-term extension is expected with the incumbent rights holders - and that would lead to a situation where all of the major football rights deals in Australia, including the A-Leagues, Socceroos and Matildas, and Premier League, will all be in market at roughly the same time. 'This landscape is changing rapidly, but one thing remains constant,' Johnson said. 'When you look at where the football audience is, and if we step back from just thinking about Australian football, and instead see ourselves as part of global football here in Australia - that's how I view it - you'll notice that audiences naturally gravitate toward certain properties: World Cups, the Euros, Champions League, Premier League, national team football.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Adam Kersey Named Isuzu UTE A-League Men Referee Of The Year
29 May, 2025: After a standout season, Adam Kersey has been named 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League Men Referee of the Year - the first time he has collected the award in his career. Adam began his refereeing journey in Brisbane in 2003, before making his A-League Men's debut in Round 25 of the 2011/12 season, officiating the match between Adelaide United FC and Melbourne Heart FC. Since then, he has earned his FIFA badge (2022) and officiated 121 Isuzu UTE A-League Men's matches. The Isuzu UTE A-League Men Referee of the Year is awarded to the referee who is judged as the best referee for the Isuzu UTE A-League Men regular season. A-Leagues Executive Chair, Stephen Conroy said: 'Adam has set the standard for referees in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men this season and is no doubt inspiring a number of junior referees around Australia and New Zealand to follow in his footsteps. 'We congratulate Adam on a standout season of refereeing and his first Referee of the Year award, and we look forward to having him officiate the Isuzu UTE A-League Men Grand Final this weekend.' Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss said: 'Adam has had an exceptional season where he worked hard over his 18 fixtures. Adam has demonstrated exceptional consistency, professionalism, and dedication across every match this season, setting the standard for officiating at all levels. 'His commitment and growth reflect the very best of our refereeing community, and we congratulate him on this well-earned recognition,' Moss concluded. Adam will be presented with his award at the conclusion of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday, 31 May with kick off set for 7:40pm AEST. For Australian viewers, the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final will be telecast live on Network 10, and streamed exclusively on 10 Play and Paramount+. For New Zealand viewers, the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final will be shown live on Sky Sport, and streamed on Sky Sport Now. To find out more about the A-Leagues, visit Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final: Melbourne City vs Melbourne Victory, 7.40pm AEST on Saturday 31 May at AAMI Park About A-Leagues: The A-Leagues represent the pinnacle of professional football in Australia and New Zealand, comprising Isuzu UTE A-League Men's and Ninja A-League Women competitions. The 2024/25 season will see 13 clubs compete in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and 12 in the Ninja A-League Women. The A-Leagues, operated by Australian Professional Leagues (APL), is delivering against its bold ambition to develop top-tier professional football talent in Australia and New Zealand, drive engagement across the leagues and to build on football's undisputed position as the country's most popular participation sport.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Football Australia ‘not satisfied' with $8.5m loss amid concern over A-League debt
Football Australia's chair has admitted he is unhappy with his organisation's financial performance as the local game faces a raft of challenges including the search for a new chief executive and the A-Leagues' struggles with debt. FA recorded an $8.5m loss in 2024 according to the financial accounts presented at Friday's annual general meeting in Sydney, which included writing off more than $4m in bad debt, some from A-Leagues operator APL. Related: A-Leagues seek to stop 'arms race' with strict $3m salary cap FA chair, Anter Isaac, said he was 'not satisfied' with the loss, which represents almost 7% of revenue, in a year the organisation brought in a record $124m. He revealed FA has invested in 'enhanced financial strategy, management and governance systems' to address the financial challenges. He described 2024 as 'a year of strategic investment and structural reset to lay a stronger foundation for our game' but he promised that despite the financial situation meant that there would be no cuts to football programs. 'In a nutshell, it won't [affect them]. We're still going to continue serving and supporting all of our national teams and the football community and so forth,' the former president of Football New South Wales said. Former Matildas player, Heather Garriock, is now working as interim chief executive after the resignation of James Johnson earlier this month. Taking the position required her to resign as director. Her departure, alongside Jackie Lee-Joe, has left the FA with just two women on its six-person board, below its target of 40%. 'We take inclusivity and diversity very seriously,' Isaac said. 'So I expect that within the next four to six weeks, and don't hold me to that, but definitely no more than eight weeks, we'll get that addressed.' Isaac, a sports consultant by trade who was appointed chair in 2023, said the search for a new chief executive has begun, and the board was talking with two recruitment firms as well as football stakeholders. 'We want, moving forward, that anyone that enters or comes into this business understands that this company is an extension of our stakeholders, so this is very different from what's happened in the past,' he said. Related: 'We have to reset': Golden generation face rejuvenation amid next Matildas coach's balancing act | Joey Lynch Johnson, the former chief executive, was appointed in 2019 having played football at a high level, and worked at Fifa, the AFC and City Football Group. Earlier on Friday he was appointed chief executive of Canadian Soccer Business, the entity that handles the commercial rights of Canadian national teams and professional clubs, ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Garriock, also a former boss of Australian Taekwondo CEO and who has been on the board since 2021, declined to say whether she was seeking to lead the FA permanently. 'I've been given a mandate from the board in this interim period, and I'm fully focused on the interim period, and I haven't thought beyond that,' she said. The cash-strapped APL still owes FA millions of dollars and continues to accrue liabilities for ongoing expenses such as referees. Although Isaac admitted some of his organisation's $4.1m in write-offs involved debt from the APL, he said FA had no plans to relieve APL of their outstanding obligations. 'We are working hand in hand with them not only on strategic initiatives that will help prosper the game at the professional level and grassroots, but also dealing with some historical matters that we're very close to resolving,' Isaac said. Garriock also confirmed the next Matildas coach will be announced in June, allowing eight months of preparations before next year's Women's Asian Cup in Australia.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
A-Leagues Increase Capacity At Go Media Stadium For 2025 Finals Series
A-Leagues to increase Go Media Stadium capacity by 2,700+. Auckland FC to host leg two of their Semi Final on Saturday 24 May. Additional 800 seats to be added if Auckland progress to debut Grand Final. Friday 9 May: In partnership with Go Media Stadium and Auckland FC, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has increased the capacity of Go Media Stadium for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Finals Series. Following strong early demand for finals tickets, and a fantastic record of home support during the regular season, the APL has added 2,700 seats to the north end of Go Media Stadium, giving more Auckland FC and travelling fans the opportunity to watch their team in leg two of the Semi Final showdown on Saturday 24 May. A further 800 seats will be added should Auckland qualify for the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final and earn the right to host the showpiece event on Saturday 31 May. With the additional capacity, the Black Knights continue a strong record of home support at Go Media Stadium as the club continues to build an incredible connection with the local football community. Across the regular season, the Isuzu UTE A-League Men has seen a 9% growth in overall attendance year-on-year, and this weekend is set to surpass 1.5m total fans through the gates for the first time since 2018/19. A-Leagues Executive Chair, Hon. Stephen Conroy said: 'The fans in Auckland, and across the league, have been fantastic this season. As it stands, we're on track to record the highest attended season since 2016/17. 'As we enter an exciting month of A-Leagues action, it's great to be able to increase the overall capacity at Go Media Stadium for the 2025 Finals Series to give more fans the chance to see their team in action. 'Credit to all involved at Auckland FC for the momentum they've built, and a huge shout out to their growing fan base, for the passion and connection they've shown to the club in their first season.' The 2025 Finals Series kicks off this weekend with two cut-throat Elimination Finals, with the two winners progressing to the Semi Finals to face either Auckland FC or Melbourne City who earned the week off finishing as the top two teams in the regular season. As Premiers, Auckland FC will play the lowest placed Elimination Final winner in a two-legged Semi Final, with the first leg away, before the return leg at Go Media Stadium on Saturday 24 May. The highest placed team from the regular season that wins through from the Semi Finals, will earn the right to host the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Grand Final on Saturday 31 May. Tickets for Auckland's second leg at Go Media Stadium on Saturday 24 May are currently on sale for Auckland FC members via while tickets for away club fans go on sale at 10am AEST / 12pm NZT on Monday 12 May. General public tickets will go on sale at 1pm AEST / 3pm NZT on Tuesday 13 May. For Australian viewers, the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Finals Series matches will be shown live across a mix of Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+. For New Zealand viewers, every match of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2025 Finals Series, including Auckland FC, is available live on Sky Sport and streamed on Sky Sport Now. Notes: Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2025 Finals Series: Week 2: Semi Finals (Leg 1), Friday 16 May - Saturday 17 May Lowest Placed Elimination Final Winner vs Auckland FC Highest Placed Elimination Final Winner vs Melbourne City Week 3: Semi Finals (Leg 2), Saturday 24 May Auckland FC vs Lowest Placed Elimination Final Winner, 4:00pm AEST / 6:00pm NZT on Saturday 24 May at Go Media Stadium. Melbourne City vs Highest Placed Elimination Final Winner, 7:35pm AEST on Saturday 24 May at AAMI Park. Week 4: Grand Final, Saturday 31 May Highest ranked Semi Final Winner vs Lowest ranked Semi Final Winner, Saturday 31 May. About A-Leagues: The A-Leagues represent the pinnacle of professional football in Australia and New Zealand, comprising Isuzu UTE A-League Men's and Ninja A-League Women competitions. The 2024/25 season will see 13 clubs compete in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and 12 in the Ninja A-League Women. The A-Leagues, operated by Australian Professional Leagues (APL), is delivering against its bold ambition to develop top-tier professional football talent in Australia and New Zealand, drive engagement across the leagues and to build on football's undisputed position as the country's most popular participation sport.
