The start date for the next A-League season is yet to be confirmed.Credit:Getty Images
The FA controls the calendar and has made no secret of its desire to “align” all competitions in Australia as much as possible.
The A-League has historically been staged over spring and summer,or summer and autumn,ensuring the bulk of its program does not run against the NRL and AFL,the dominant football codes,who occupy the winter months.
But FA chiefJames Johnson has often spoken of his preference to have the A-League running alongside NPL (second tier) leagues in all states and territories,eventually paving the way for promotion and relegation and the creation of a national second division. These leagues generally play between March and October,the same time as the market-leading footy codes.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson and Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn announced a new partnership with the CBA coming on board as the naming rights partner for the Matildas.Credit:Jessica Hromas
APL and Ten,hoping to quickly build an audience,desperately wish to avoid the crowded winter months of the year when the media spotlight is on rugby league and Australian rules.
Football Australia was quick to remind the new partners of its authority in a statement welcoming the new deal.
It stressed that,despite the APL’s independent status as controller of the A-League,it would still “retain regulatory functions in respect of the professional leagues,including matters relating to on-and-off-field disciplinary and integrity matters,the registration of clubs,players and officials,the transfer system,and the domestic match calendar.