Television broadcasters of the Australian Football League are to be given "unprecedented permission" to interview players as part of an effort to maintain the value of league media rights.
Australia’s Herald Sun newspaper reports that clubs will not be allowed to refuse broadcasters requests for interviews with top stars. The newspaper says that, while several clubs, like Essendon and Collingwood, are mostly willing to allow interviews to promote games, most are extremely uncooperative.
The Herald Sun says the Australian Football League (AFL) is determined to help its broadcasters find value from its current five-year, A$780 million media rights deal, especially considering that a new deal is likely to be signed during the economic downturn.
AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said an agreement was likely to be in place before the start of the new season.
