Don't believe the hype, this is far more serious a problem for the AFL than it is to the NRL.
We only broadcast 3 FTA games nation wide per week, so Telstra will still be the exclusive internet rights holder for 5 or the 8 games per week. Sure they won't pay as much for that as they would have for the 8 games, but when you consider what it means for the AFL that is only a minor drop.
The AFL plays 4 FTA games per week into each region, but where it becomes a problem for the AFL is that those 4 games are different games in different cities. Perth, Adelaide, SE Qld and Sydney get all there local teams games on FTA every week, but most of those games will be on PTV in other parts of the nation. But the Optus ruling does not take into account games being on FTA in one place and PTV in another. So depending on the match up's each week Telstra could effectively have anything from 0 exclusive games on a bad week and 4 on a good week. Most weeks it'll be 2 or 3. That should slash the amount Telstra will pay.
Now I understand with the NRL expanding we would have been looking at doing a similar FTA - PTV split on the next deal, which is now more difficult. And I understand that if this ruling remains on appeal, that the AFL will argue, 'buyer beware' against Telstra in an attempt to have Telstra honor there 5 year contract (which will no doubt be another court case).
So although this is an inconvenience to us, it's a dead set nightmare for the AFL.
