Netball Australia, the Super Netball League Commission and the Foxtel Group today announced a ground-breaking new five-year broadcast and digital rights deal which will cement Suncorp Super Netball as the world’s number one elite netball competition.
The new agreement, commencing in 2022, has been structured to ensure elite netball remains highly accessible to its growing base of fans throughout Australia while increasing investment in match production. Under the innovative agreement:
- Every game of every round of the Suncorp Super Netball competition will be available live and ad-break free during play on Foxtel Group platforms including Foxtel and Australia’s number one sports streaming app, Kayo Sports.
- Every week, two Suncorp Super Netball games will be available live and free as part of Kayo’s recently announced Kayo Freebies, along with every match of the Suncorp Super Netball Finals Series.
- Origin Australian Diamonds matches will also be available free on Kayo Freebies.
- Fox Sports, Australia’s leading producer of elite sports television, will undertake the production of all matches played in Australia and develop new netball magazine shows to deepen fan engagement, including a presence for shows on Kayo Freebies.
The new deal also provides for a major financial reset to professional netball delivering certainty to Suncorp Super Netball’s eight clubs and, for the first time, providing the financial strength for Suncorp Super Netball elite player salaries to be paid by the league. This in turn will provide member organisations and clubs greater freedom to support and promote the grassroots game.
Netball Australia interim CEO, Ron Steiner said: “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.’’
Super Netball League Commission Chair Marina Go said: “This agreement follows intense interest and negotiation with several parties who were keenly aware of netball’s unique position within Australian sport.
‘’We are delighted to be partnering with such a strong and well-regarded organisation and look forward to bringing our fierce and exciting sport to the Foxtel Group’s audience including Kayo’s rapidly growing customer base.
‘’There are many winners in this deal, and that includes the world’s best netball players who will enjoy contract security and some of the best conditions of any female athletes anywhere.’’
Foxtel Chief Content and Commercial Officer Amanda Laing said: “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”.
“As the most established elite women’s sport in Australia, netball joins an exciting and diverse range of women’s and men’s sports who have chosen to partner with Foxtel and Kayo.”
The upcoming 2021 Suncorp Super Netball Season will be broadcast on Nine, Telstra TV and the Netball Live Official app from Saturday, May 1.
Ms Go and Mr 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,’’ Mr Steiner said.
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