West Coast Eagles chief Trevor Nisbett declares footy broadcasts should ‘no doubt’ remain free

Pressure is mounting on the AFL to back away from a potential broadcasting rights change that would force Perth and Adelaide footy fans to pay to watch their local teams, with West Coast Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett saying matches should remain free.

While Seven holds the free-to-air rights, the pay TV rights are held by Foxtel, which is owned 65-35 by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Telstra, and is seeking to claw more from the six-year, two-broadcaster deal that began in 2017.

One proposal reportedly being considered by the AFL is for Foxtel to broadcast more live games of the Eagles, Fremantle Dockers, Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power, some of which are delayed on Seven for WA and SA audiences.

The AFL has declined to comment while talks continue, but Mr Nisbett - widely considered the most powerful person in WA football - nailed his flag to the mast on Wednesday.

“There is no doubt West Australians should be entitled to free-to-air broadcasts as part of the next broadcast deal,” he told The West Australian.

“It is essential if we are serious about continuing the growth of our game and fan base.”

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir laughingly agreed when asked if it was “a human right”.

“It’s something the AFL should really be striving for, to be able to get free-to-air footy in each state, especially of the teams that are from there,” he told Mix 94.5.

“It’s the only way we can keep growing the game and keep fans engaged more often, so I think it’s a no-brainer.

“And it’s something that’s been in previous broadcast rights, so I hope the AFL are pushing really strongly for it.”

Port Adelaide’s first Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines said free footy match broadcasts were “the most crucial thing for fans”.

“Being a fan of the game myself ... being able to watch it on free-to-air TV is so important,” he told Seven News.

Spinach Advertising general manager Ben Willee told the broadcaster it was “possibly the biggest rights deal in Australian history”.

“They have to collect a lot of money for themselves and their clubs but they also have to keep the fans happy, and they have to keep the sponsors happy,” Mr Willee said.

“And one of the key parts of that is having big games and big games on free-to-air television.”

Premier Mark McGowan twice this week come out swinging in support of free broadcasts, including saying “it’s your right as an Australian to be able to just watch the footy”.

The AFL is holding talks with other parties, including ViacomCBS-owned Network Ten and its Paramount+ streaming service, which according to News Corp’s The Australian is considering a much bigger bid than Seven and Foxtel.