The Big Deal Weekly: AFL Commission's Danger-ous move, AFLW growth plans stall, Matildas waltz on in front of record numbers, benefactor's hefty athlete investment, Laker signs record extension & more
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The Big Deal Weekly: AFL Commission's Danger-ous move, AFLW growth plans stall, Matildas waltz on in front of record numbers, benefactor's hefty athlete investment, Laker signs record extension & more
Newsletter no.45, 8 August 2023
The Big Deal is back with Monty and Tredders ready and raring to go after a monstrous week in the world of sports business.
The AFL commission is courting Patrick Dangerfield in an unprecedented and bold move, while the AFLW players’ hopes for an extended fixture look dead and buried.
Australia’s success on the national stage continues with the Diamonds winning the World Cup, while the Matildas move one step closer to their dream captivating the country along the way.
Get into our sports business wrap on the podcast below, and scroll the key points.
Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
AFL COMMISSION’S DANGEROUS MOVE
The AFL commission is reportedly courting Geelong captain and AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield for one of the vacant spots left by Kym Williams and 2005 premiership Swan, Jason Ball.
A current player deciding the game and other team’s fates is a significant issue. Imagine a rival’s captain deciding on issues such as the Essendon supplements saga, salary cap breaches, or even last week with Port’s concussion incident?
The AFL want an ex-player, but someone not in the media landscape, which also doesn’t help Dangerfield’s case.
TREDDERS’ TALKING POINTS FROM THE AFL
In the audio wrap, Tredders covers off more key AFL issues including:
Ken Hinkley extension looms - two years have mentioned, talk of one year is also doing the rounds
Damien Hardwick heavily courted by Gold Coast
Michael Voss’ future at Carlton shifts following a form turn around
Tom Doedee’s three-year offer from Adelaide still on the table in an act of good faith
Is Brendon Gale looming likely as the CEO of the new Tasmania team?
With limited potential backing from broadcasters, the AFLW season looks set for 10 games and four-week finals, instead of a season to match the men as hoped
MATILDAS FLYING, COCKY U.S. CRASH AND BURN
The Matildas are waltzing on (no-one has used that before), after a stunning 2-0 win over Denmark and next is either France or Morocco on Saturday.
The best part? Sam Kerr has hardly been sighted aside from a brief cameo at the end of the win over the Danish.
It has been a healthy absence off the pitch for the Matildas, with profiles and brands seeing the spotlight shared.
More than 75,000 rolled into Stadium Australia to see the Matildas get the job done, and the records continue to tumble.
Attendances have seen the record total attendance at a Women’s World Cup smashed, breaching the one set in Canada in 2015.
The total figure is predicted to be around 1.9 million by the end.
Meanwhile, the US, who were eliminated by a millimetre, or 1/32 of an inch, are getting smashed by many fans, pundits and media.
They’d entered with an extremely cocky commercial in the lead up and well, don’t mess with the sporting gods.
DIAMONDS ARE AUSTRALIA’S BEST FRIEND
For the 12th time, Australia are world champions after winning the World Cup in South Africa.
With that, and a superb Super Netball grand final this past season, everything is there for the success of the sport to grow.
Off the court, has to be done right.
BOOMING BOOMERS READY FOR WORLD CUP
World Cup, World Cup, World Cup, World Cup - there’s a lot going on.
The Boomers are preparing for the FIBA World Cup, which gets underway on August 25 in Japan, Philippines and Indonesia.
The squad has been trimmed to 15, and it is a powerful list of names: Xavier Cooks, Dyson Daniels, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Chris Goulding, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Nick Kay, Jock Landale, Will McDowell-White, Patty Mills, Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle, Jack White.
Meanwhile, Opals coach Sandy Brondello confirmed Liz Cambage won’t be back, as she’s too much trouble.
Cambage had withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympic Games citing mental health before allegations surfaced she had directed a racial slur towards Nigerian players, claims she has refuted.
Now, she’s claimed she’s in talks to join the Nigeria national team in a chat with Bleacher Report.
RINEHART’S OLYMPIC SPEND
Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart continues to back Australian sport, namely the Olympics.
Rinehart has reportedly pumped $60 million into Aussie Olympic teams since 2012, highlighting our poor performance in the pool in that year’s London games.
The Herald Sun reported there are now 75 swimmers and 50 rowers who receive annual compensation directly from Rinehart.
Netball, however, remains off the list after last year’s dramas.
Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
ASHES FALLOUT CONTINUES
Despite retaining The Ashes, the anger from the Aussies about the ball used in the fifth test remains.
Dukes owner Dilip Jajodia is doing his own investigation, but rumours that it was a ball from the 2018 series have been rejected.
Still with the Aussies and for the ODI and T20 of South Africa, there’s been some changes.
Mitch Marsh has been named captain, while Marnus Labuschange is out.
SOCCEROOS ON THE MOVE, ANGE’S SPURS READY
In some breaking news, Portsmouth have signed Alex Robertson on season-long loan.
Fellow Socceroo Aziz Behich is on the move, back at Melbourne City.
Former coach Ange Postecoglou was welcomed by his new fans at Tottenham, where Harry Kane scored four in 55 minutes against Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, the Spurs talisman was subject of a nine-figure bid from Bayern Munich and it remains to be seen if he sees out the last year of his contract.
MONEY MOVES IN NBA
LA Lakers star Anthony Davis signed a massive extension, worth $94 million a year for the next three years.
It’s a deal that runs until 2028, at an overall cost of $411M.
He’s not the only one with a big money deal, with the G.O.A.T, Michael Jordan, finalising the sale of Charlotte Hornets - $2.7B has been dropped into his bank account.
Not bad.
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