A-League broadcaster goes broke
A-League men’s and women’s matches will continue to be broadcast, with the Australian Professional Leagues signing a deal with a new broadcast company after being blindsided by the collapse of Global Advance.
Since signing a broadcast agreement with Network 10 and Paramount three years ago, the APL has paid Global Advance for the production of its games.
However, on Wednesday, the APL was told the Global Advance had gone into administration, jeopardising the future broadcasting of A-League games and with money owed to the APL for already outlaid costs.
But a new production deal with NEP Australia for the rest of the 2023-24 season was announced on Thursday, ensuring all A-League men’s and women’s matches will continue to be televised, including Thursday night’s women’s match between Central Coast and Western United in Gosford.
“We have reached agreement with NEP Australia to produce all A-League men’s and A-League women’s matches for the remainder of the regular season and the 2024 finals series,” an APL spokesman said.
“We thank them for their cooperation, flexibility and expertise at such short notice.
“There are many challenges that such a short time frame presents.”
Global Advance’s demise is the latest blow for the APL, which has lost millions of dollars this season, resulting in the collapse of its digital arm KeepUp as well as nearly 50 per cent of staff being made redundant.
There are also doubts about the future of the Newcastle Jets and Canberra United.
The APL said it had been “let down” by Global Advance and would seek to “recoup monies owing to APL”.
“We were made aware (on Wednesday) that Global Advance, the independent production company that produces the telecast for our women’s and men’s matches, has gone into administration,” the APL said in a statement sent out late on Wednesday night.
“We are disappointed in the manner in which this has come to our attention, and the risk this has placed on our fan, player, club, broadcast and commercial commitments. We have been let down, and will be working with the administrators to recoup monies owing to APL.”
