Netball Australia, the Super Netball League Commission and the Foxtel Group announced a five-year broadcast and digital rights deal.
The deal moves netball from Nine Entertainment which has the rights to the end of 2021.
A Nine spokesperson: “We are disappointed that after working with netball to grow the game for the past five years we find they have taken the deal with Foxtel which is supported by government money which we don’t have access to."
Foxtel last year secured $10 million from the federal government to help build audiences for women’s sport.
However, Foxtel says the money in the under-represented sports grant was nit used to acquire the Netball rights.
A Foxtel spokesperson: “The comments made by a Nine spokesperson regard this matter are poorly informed and simply wrong.”
The new deal means every game of every round of the Suncorp Super Netball competition will be available live and ad-break free during play on Foxtel and sports streaming app Kayo.
Netball Australia interim CEO Ron Steiner: “This is a landmark deal for the sport and provides the foundation for Suncorp Super Netball to grow and enhance its status as the best elite netball competition in the world.
‘’It also provides financial security that will enable netball’s member organisations to nurture what is Australia’s number one female team participation sport. Netball’s mission is to empower women and girls and connect communities, and the wide-ranging impact of this deal will drive those outcomes.’’
Foxtel Chief content and commercial officer Amanda Laing: “We are incredibly pleased to be joining Netball Australia to play our part in consolidating Suncorp Super Netball as the world’s number one elite netball competition.
“By bringing the free and paid broadcast and digital rights together, we can establish a more consistent competition schedule which will strengthen audience engagement. We have a reputation for innovation and will use our production expertise and marketing capability across Foxtel and Kayo to support netball’s continued growth.
“Suncorp Super Netball players are extraordinary athletes and striking ambassadors for their sport. We will work with the players, clubs, sponsors and the whole netball community to raise their profile and deliver the recognition and rewards which they deserve."
The 2021 Suncorp Super Netball Season will be broadcast on Nine, Telstra TV and the Netball Live Official app from May 1.
Steiner thanked the Nine network and Telstra for supporting Suncorp Super Netball during a crucial period of growth and consolidation.
‘’Nine and Telstra saw the potential of the league and provided support at a critical time. We look forward to working closely with them during season 2021 and thank them for their commitment to the game,’’ he says.
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