AFL reveals asset-buying plan

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/arti ... 25572.html



The most interesting details are the AFL could potentially buy the Phone Dome, and take a stake in SEN.

I'm not sure if getting management rights to the Phone Dome now would be that beneficial to the AFL. Who then can they blame next time (ie next Winter) when the grass dies again? So far, its always been someone else's fault.
As for SEN - given that the radio broadcast rights in Melbourne are stations who either pay good money (3AW, MMM) or guaranteed nationwide coverage (ABC) then I wonder if such money could be better spent - like ...

New HAWTHORN President, Jeff Kennett, has urged the AFL to prop up poorer clubs with the new TV rights cash bonanza.

Now this gave me a good . Jeff - now a bleeding heart wet behind the ears socialist with a passion to serve the poor and downtrodden!

An update -
Owning the airwaves
14 January 2006 Herald Sun
Damian Barrett

HAVING considered and passed on buying a pay-TV station, the AFL has switched mediums and is analysing the purchase of radio station SEN. In a move linked to football's post-2006 radio rights, the AFL has held detailed talks with the all-sports station. While a takeover has been discussed, it is more likely the AFL would seek to own part of the broadcaster. The AFL's financial controllers have recently studied SEN's books. SEN program director Peter Butler yesterday confirmed the AFL's interest.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the windfall from the 2007-11 TV rights -- $780 million over five years -- had left football well placed to consider alternative ventures. "All things are possible," Demetriou said when asked if the league was considering an equity arrangement with SEN. "The radio rights will be competitive, and because we got such a good outcome from (TV) broadcasting, it gives us lots of options, particularly equity positions. "We have got time on our side and we have also got more options at our disposal today than we have had before."

SEN, launched in early 2004, wants to be a broadcast partner in the next rights. The value of the next commercial licences, held until the end of this season by 3AW and Triple M, will increase dramatically from the deals now. It is understood 3AW pays about $500,000 a year in the arrangement.