Seven CEO James Warburton ‘can’t wait’ for AFL’s return on June 11
While the NRL and its broadcast partners played their discussions out publicly in the lead up to the sport’s return, the AFL and its free to air (FTA) broadcast partner Seven have quietly come to an agreement regarding return to play on Thursday, June 11.
Seven CEO James Warburton today said he was excited to be able to bring the sport back to fans and had been working closely with the code on the return.
The AFL will return to Seven in some capacity in June, says Warburton
“We can’t wait to bring the footy back to the fans. Seven has been a supportive partner to the AFL to get the season going and provided a range of options for not only 2020 but certainty until the end of 2024.”
The broadcast plans for the returning season will be announced in due course. Foxtel, and it’s sports streaming platform Kayo, also have a broadcast agreement with the AFL.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan addressed the media today, revealing the season would return in June with training to begin next week.
Non-contract training will begin from Monday, progressing to contact training from May 25. Players and officials will be tested for COVID-19 24 hours before each session.
Four clubs – West Coast, Fremantle, Adelaide and Port Adelaide – will base themselves at two golf course resorts on the Gold Coast, and then play a series of matches against each other and the Suns and Lions.
Due to SA regulations that enforce no contact training until June 8, the Crows and Power will need to move to the Gold Coast ahead of May 25 to conduct full training.
The WA-based clubs have been granted an exemption for contact training from May 25 and will depart for the Gold Coast closer to matches resuming.
