Matildas success prompts World Cup rights deal
Cortnee Vine, Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso and Katrina Gorry weren’t household names when the year began, but the Matildas’ historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign changed things – fast.
Two months on from the Matildas’ semi-final loss to England, which was watched by more than 40 per cent of the Australian population, skipper Sam Kerr and her team have already appeared in ads for brands like Uber, Budgy Smuggler, Tequila Patron, and Cetaphil.
The Nikon-Walkley award winning photo by Queen Rooney of the moment the Matildas won their FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter final against France in a penalty shoot out. Getty
Their unprecedented success captured the nation and inspired the federal government to take a harder look at women’s sport. The impact was also the reason football’s governing body decided to do something unprecedented.
It has secured the broadcast rights for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will take place in an undecided location in 2027, through a deal with global sports company IMG.
The terms of the agreement are not disclosed, but the last deal signed for a FIFA Women’s World Cup, with local broadcaster Optus, was estimated to be worth between $10 million and $20 million.
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson told AFR Weekend that securing the Women’s World Cup would allow it to providea potential broadcaster with exclusive access to the Matildas until the deal expires in 2028.
“It’s effectively the first time in history that one broadcaster or several broadcasters can own – through one access point – exclusive Matildas content for the whole cycle and exclusive Socceroos content for the whole cycle except for the Men’s World Cup,” Mr Johnson said.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson.
“It
Read more on afr.com
