'There is no agenda': Why AFL is considering 'revolutionary' changes to 2021 seasonJoey Riordan
7News
11 September 2020 High-level AFL talks are underway to shorten quarters and extend the 2021 season from 18 rounds to 28 rounds.
7NEWS reporter Tom Browne exclusively revealed details of the potential changes to next year’s season on Thursday night (watch in the video in the link below).
He explained the proposal is an attempt to bring more revenue into the game during what is expected to be another COVID-hit season with minimal crowds.
The ultimate goal of the changes would be to bring in enough extra revenue so the players can avoid another pay cut like they experienced in 2020.
“Pay discussions between the AFL and the players started this week,” Browne said.
“One of the big issues a lack of revenue next season particularly with no COVID vaccine in sight, there’s no guarantee of crowds certainly meaningful ones.
“One issue officially on the table is the number of games next season.
“A revolutionary fixture model floated in a discussion paper from the AFL that would see 28 games, shortened quarters of about 18 minutes and a festival of football to make up for some of those games.
“The idea is that players clearly don’t want a pay cut, at the same time the AFL might want more labour in return and it could be an appropriate compromise given the circumstances.
“Those talks have heated up, ramped up this week.”
The proposal drew a mixed response from footy fans on social media.
Some urged the AFL to return to its traditional model of 20-minute quarters after a change to 16-minute intervals in 2020 caused controversy.
“Please just 20 minute quarters,” one footy fan wrote on Twitter in response to the story.
However Browne insisted the decision is somewhat out of the hands of AFL powerbrokers, given the unique financial challenges they are currently facing.
“A big reaction to this last night. I just want to stress. I don’t think the AFL want to play with the fixture. Or quarter length,” Browne wrote.
“It’s one discussion point. As a means of trying to mitigate and minimise players pay cuts next year.
“Without crowds (big ones) footy in 2021 faces another revenue gap.
“Means men are headed for big pay cut. My personal view - any league initiative to help minimise cut is very positive.
“There is no ‘agenda’ to lengthen season or shorten quarters. It’s not the AFL’s fault.”
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/there-is-no-agenda-why-afl-is-considering-revolutionary-changes-to-2021-season-c-1308226
