A-League: TV blackout chance as A-Leagues chase missing money

The Wellington Phoenix in action at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport

The A-Leagues are hoping to recuperate close to A$1 million ($1.09m) from broadcast production partner Global Advance, which has gone into administration and sent the competition scrambling to find a last-minute replacement.

Global Advance’s collapse has forced the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) to find an 11th-hour alternative ahead of this weekend’s fixtures - starting with Thursday’s A-League Women meeting between the Central Coast Mariners and Western United.

The APL was locked in talks late into Wednesday night and early Thursday as it attempted to find a production company to plug the gap.

Global Advance was founded in 2020. Its first major partner was the A-Leagues, following the competitions’ split from long-term broadcaster Fox Sports.

The company has produced broadcasts for every match on Network Ten and its streaming partner Paramount.

The APL pays Global Advance close to A$12 million per year, a large portion of which is due at the start of each season with the outstanding balance distributed throughout the year.

It is understood that after experiencing financial difficulties earlier this month, Global Advance asked for an advance from the APL to meet production costs for April and May.

On Tuesday this week, Global Advance told the APL it was unlikely to be in a position to produce matches this weekend.

“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,” the APL said in a statement late on Wednesday.

“We have been let down, and will be working with the administrators to recoup monies owing to APL.

“Through a lot of hard work by a new production company, Ten-Paramount, and our team, we are close to finalising an agreement and are confident all matches will be broadcast, starting [Thursday].

“There are many challenges that such a short timeframe presents, but we are working through this urgently with all of our stakeholders, and we thank the production company for their co-operation, flexibility and expertise at such short notice.”

In a statement, Said Jahani of Global Advance’s administrators Grant Thornton said: “We have immediately commenced a dialogue with the Australian Professional Leagues at the most senior levels to determine whether television coverage for all A-League men’s and women’s games this weekend can continue to be provided.

“At this stage, it remains uncertain as to whether this will be possible.”