Ten To Lose Key Footy Sponsor

The Age

Thursday November 27, 2008

DAN OAKES

CHANNEL Ten's AFL coverage has felt the economic hard times, with Motorola ditching its broadcast sponsorship for next season.

Although a spokesman for the communications company denied a decision had been made, saying only that the "program was under review during this difficult time globally", a Ten spokeswoman confirmed the sponsorship had been lost.

A well-placed source told BusinessDay that Motorola spent $2.5 million on advertising last year, its fourth football season with Ten's AFL coverage.

But the Ten spokeswoman said the figure was less than that, and suggested that Motorola might be lured back.

"Motorola have been a solid national broadcast partner with the AFL, and we look forward to welcoming them back on to Ten in the future," she said.

BusinessDay also believes National Australia Bank, a big AFL sponsor, is considering reducing its football season advertising.

NAB announced this month that it would continue to support the pre-season series and the grassroots programs it has co-ordinated since 2006.

NAB will also maintain sponsorship of the Rising Star award, which began in 2002.

But it has yet to decide if it will continue to advertise on both Channel Seven and Ten, which has the broadcast rights for next year's grand final.

It is believed to be considering cutting one network.

"NAB is currently finalising its planning for the 2009 year, and it's too early at the moment to speculate on what that might be," a spokeswoman said yesterday.

"NAB has re-signed the AFL sponsorship arrangement and it remains an important sponsorship partner."

© 2008 The Age

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