The Big Deal Weekly: Redman re-signs, AFL's overdue changes, Ashes impact on Aussie brand, Women's World Cup drama, Billion dollar play for Mbappe, Messi's mass influence & more

Newsletter no.43, 25 July 2023

The AFL season is well and truly at boiling point, with things heating up in South Australia for the Showdown while just about everyone is in hot water at West Coast.

As the Aussies retained the Ashes our ‘brand’ is in question, while the Women’s World Cup campaign with success for a crowdfunded team, press conferences turning political and broadcast anger.

And that’s just the beginning.

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

BREAKING: REDMAN RE-SIGNS WITH BOMBERS

Mason Redman has signed a five-year extension with Essendon, turning his back on a bumper six year offer from Adelaide.

While the Crows were optimistic of their chances of luring the South Australian back to his home state, Redman sees a bright future at Windy Hill.

“I’ve absolutely loved my eight years at the Bombers but it’s the potential of this group that excites me the most,” Redman said.

“I couldn’t be more impressed by the footy club this year and the environment we are trying to create. I’m optimistic success is just around the corner for this club.”

The go-home factor was unlikely an issue for Redman who was raised in Millicent, a town that is only one hour closer to Adelaide than Melbourne.

He was drafted by the Bombers with Pick No.30 in the 2015 National Draft.

Meanwhile the Crows announced that veteran Taylor Walker will pull on the boots for his 17th season next year.

Walker is showing no signs of slowing down, kicking 54 goals so far this season and is second only to Charlie Curnow (61) in the Coleman Medal race.

TIME FOR AFL CHANGES, AND NOT JUST THE RULES

Yes, more rule changes. But these are a necessity.

The ‘insufficient intent’, formerly known as ‘deliberate out of bounds’, has caused headaches across the AFL for more than a decade.

Yet there is a perfect resolution to the issue, and it’s been successful - last touch out of bounds.

The SANFL has used it successfully for the last few years - trial it in pre-season if absolutely necessary.

It is also time for the AFL’s media policies to change.

More transparency for fans from head office must be a priority - around MRO decisions, AFL CEO pressers, so on.

At club level, the archaic media policy of selected interviews post-game being controlled by clubs needs to change.

Bring in the NBA media policy - interview who you want and it’s fair game - don’t hide players who hate doing media.

Fans, and in turn, media broadcasters need the ultimate exposure.

TREDDERS’ TALKING POINTS FROM THE AFL

In the audio wrap, Tredders covers off more key AFL issues including:

• The Showdown - what it is really like behind the scenes, and whether it still carries meaning and impact

• More on the mass changes coming at West Coast

• Adam Simpson still on the chopping block despite a potential multi-million exit, and the coach’s ‘Whopper’ off-field deal

TEARS FOR PIERS - AUSSIES RETAIN THE ASHES, BUT HAS THE ‘BRAND’ BEEN TARNISHED?

A lot of playlists would’ve included songs like Rain by Dragon, Here Comes The Rain Again by The Eurythmics and, you get the point.

Australia, staring down the barrel of a loss in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, were saved by the weather gods and a draw was declared.

The meltdown from the English has been even sweeter.

However, the Aussies’ brand has been called into question; UK critics say the spirit has been typical of their ‘win at all costs’ approach', while local legends have criticised the ‘un-Australian’ tactics under Pat Cummins.

Is it also the last time we see David Warner and Steve Smith in test cricket? Michael Vaughan dropped the rumour …

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP DRAMAS

The Matildas are off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland, but the story is Sam Kerr and her calf.

The Matildas kept the injury quiet until just before kick-off, which had a few baffled, and wondering if she might be out longer than expected?

Elsewhere, Jamaica held France to a goalless draw in a miracle result considering they had to do a crowdfunding campaign to get to Australia. One campaign raised $50,000 and another $45,000.

Morocco is the first Arab nation at a Women’s World Cup, and a question from a BBC reporter was not well received.

A BBC reporter asked captain Ghizlane Chebbak about her country’s ban on same-sex relationships.

“In Morocco it’s illegal to have a gay relationship,” he said. “Do you have any gay players in your squad, and what’s life like for them in Morocco?”

The question was immediately shut down.

Aussies are feeling the pain with the streaming arrangements for the games.

Optus Sport, which has a $25/month subscription, has the full rights. The Seven Network bought in, but only has 15 of 64 matches available.

Those games? Two opening day matches, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the final and all Matildas games.

4.88 million people tuned in for the Matildas’ opening game against the Irish, and a record 1.4 million tickets have been sold at last count.

Not bad for an event that some believe has been poorly promoted.

KYLIAN MBAPPE AND THE WORLD RECORD OFFER

Saudi Arabia have come aggressively into the football world, signing stars across the globe in their prime.

Cristiano Ronaldo, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Seko Fofana - the list goes on.

But, bar Ronaldo, none would be bigger than the France captain and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe and his current club are at each other at the moment, with the star striker refusing to extend his deal past the upcoming season, but doesn’t want to leave just yet, because he’d lose a multi-million dollar bonus payment.

PSG believe he’s already signed with Real Madrid from 2024 and want to kick him out straight away.

Saudi Arabia is ready to pounce on what could be a one year golden opportunity.

Al Hilal have offered a world record bid of just under $500M AUD for Mbappe, and a $1.1B salary.

The catch? He doesn’t want out yet, and he doesn’t leave if he doesn’t want to.

MESSI’S MASS INFLUENCE

Lionel Messi had his fairy tale start for Inter Miami, scoring a free kick at the death.

It’s also been a free kick for Inter Miami’s social media team, and Apple.

The MLS club’s social media following has gone up 11.7 million since the move was announced, leaving only Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers as the only teams ahead of them in the American market.

Meanwhile, Apple must ecstatic. They had signed a 10-year, $2.5B USD deal for the MLS broadcast rights without any idea that soccer’s biggest name might land in their lap.

A gamble paid off, and it’s now the exclusive worldwide home of Lionel Messi in his first season in the US.

Listen to the wrap and subscribe for free now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

ANZAC CONCEPT FOR LIONS TOUR

The British and Irish Lions will be back on Australian soil for the first time in 12 years when it arrives in 2025, with three Tests against the Wallabies among other fixtures.

However, there’s a change, as a combined Australian and New Zealand side set to feature at Adelaide Oval against the world-famous Lions.

HARMAN WINS BRITISH OPEN, DAY SHINES

American Brian Harman won the British Open by six shots on Sunday, finishing 13 under par to claim his first major title and a A$4.46m cheque at a rainswept Hoylake.

Aussie Jason Day shared second with Masters champion Jon Rahm, Austria’s Sepp Straka and South Korean Tom Kim.

Day’s second-place finish sees him earn $1.6M AUD and his best finish at a major since he came second at the 2016 PGA Championship.

RICCIARDO’S RETURN

Daniel Ricciardo looked good in his return at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

He placed 13th, and despite not being the golden return it was solid result in his comeback race.

Max Verstappen won again and continues the Red Bull golden era, marking 12 Grand Prix wins in a row, beating McLaren’s 11 from 1988.

NBA MOVES

With NBA’s Summer League now over, attention turns to the big names on the trade table.

• James Harden is still looking at moving from Philadelphia, with LA Clippers the preferred destination

• Joel Embiid’s comments that he wants a championship, even if it isn’t with the 76ers, have ruffled feathers

• Will Damian Lillard get his wish and move from Portland to Miami?

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