Football Federation Australia (FFA) is considering selling a stake in the top-flight A-League to a third-party investor as it seeks to boost funds, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.
The league is bracing itself for the loss of significant revenue with broadcast partner Fox Sports appearing likely to walk away halfway through a six-year deal after reportedly failing to transfer a scheduled payment of nearly AUD$12 million (US$7.7 million) to FFA.
With FFA seeking alternative sources of income, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that a third-party private ownership model will be seriously considered. FFA has already laid significant groundwork to sell a stake in the competition, the newspaper adds.
According to the report, an evaluation was conducted last year that deemed the A-League was worth between AUD$100 million (US$64.5 million) and AUD$120 million (US$77.4 million), after which FFA held talks with two overseas-based firms about selling between 30 per cent and 51 per cent of the competition.
Endeavor-owned agency giant IMG, which was previously invested in the Indian Super League, is reportedly one of the interested parties.
According to the Herald, Park Lane, a US investment bank which specialises in helping clients acquire sports teams, is said to be keeping an eye on all major Australian sports, including soccer, and has already made an informal approach to the A-League's Newcastle Jets.
