TOPIC:

The West Australian Football Commission is set to collaborate with the AFL to source a new naming rights partner after agreeing to part ways with Optus at the end of 2021.

Optus ceased their partnership with the WAFL and WAFLW at the end of last season, bringing to an end a four-year association.

The decision is not expected to have any impact on the WAFL grand final being played at Optus Stadium.

With the WAFL due to kick off in mid-April and the WAFLW in full swing, the WAFC are still searching for a new naming rights partner.

But with the AFL taking an interest in broadcasting state leagues this year, the league is assisting the WAFC source a new partner.

It’s understood a major partnership can fetch around $300,000 a year.

As part of a new broadcast deal, WAFLW, WAFL colts and league games will be streamed, providing a significantly expanded product.

“We’re pleased to be collaborating with the AFL and we’re confident we’ll be able to convert a new partner with the increased offering available,” WAFC Head of Commercial Strategy and growth Daniel Grace said.

“We think we can take our exposure to a new level and offer a substantially bigger product.”

Optus said it was a mutual decision to end the partnership.

“We wish the WA Football League all the best for this season and beyond,” an Optus spokesperson said.

“Optus has been a proud partner of the WA Football League since 2018, including naming-rights partner of both the WAFL and WAFLW competitions since 2019.”

While the partnership has ceased, WAFLW clubs are still sporting Optus insignia on their guernseys after submitting jumper production orders in November.

The WAFC is committed to replacing the jumpers when a new naming rights partner is confirmed.

That word collaborate worries me!

Tiger of old wrote:

Late start late finish suits me, Perth hot as buggery in April mostly anyway

Yeah I agree it is too hot in late March/early April for WAFL footy nowadays.
Although it is always good to get the first round coinciding with the Easter long weekend.

Mr AFL wrote:

The West Australian Football Commission is set to collaborate with the AFL to source a new naming rights partner after agreeing to part ways with Optus at the end of 2021.

Optus ceased their partnership with the WAFL and WAFLW at the end of last season, bringing to an end a four-year association.

The decision is not expected to have any impact on the WAFL grand final being played at Optus Stadium.

With the WAFL due to kick off in mid-April and the WAFLW in full swing, the WAFC are still searching for a new naming rights partner.

But with the AFL taking an interest in broadcasting state leagues this year, the league is assisting the WAFC source a new partner.

It’s understood a major partnership can fetch around $300,000 a year.

As part of a new broadcast deal, WAFLW, WAFL colts and league games will be streamed, providing a significantly expanded product.

“We’re pleased to be collaborating with the AFL and we’re confident we’ll be able to convert a new partner with the increased offering available,” WAFC Head of Commercial Strategy and growth Daniel Grace said.

“We think we can take our exposure to a new level and offer a substantially bigger product.”

Optus said it was a mutual decision to end the partnership.

“We wish the WA Football League all the best for this season and beyond,” an Optus spokesperson said.

“Optus has been a proud partner of the WA Football League since 2018, including naming-rights partner of both the WAFL and WAFLW competitions since 2019.”

While the partnership has ceased, WAFLW clubs are still sporting Optus insignia on their guernseys after submitting jumper production orders in November.

The WAFC is committed to replacing the jumpers when a new naming rights partner is confirmed.

Why on earth are the WAFC doing any "collaborating" with the AFL?
They have no interest in the WAFL other than to top up their afl lists at any time they want despite having an end of season draft for this purpose?
No surprise months later after this forced at gunpoint ending of the Optus WAFL sponsorship the numpties at the afl have not found a "suitable" sponsorship replacement as yet with the womens season having already started!
FMD when will the WAFC ever learn the afl are only interested in themselves!!!!!
 

mikeh wrote:

Not necessarily related to sponsorship but I note that the WAFL season due to commence on the weekend of the 16th April is the latest start to a season since 1961 (apart from the 2020 abbreviated season of course). Since then round 1's have varied from mid march ( which I always thought was too early) to the 2nd weekend of April. 
Would be interesting to see what the reasoning behind this is. Perhaps its the later end to the season with the Grand Final in October or perhaps they think that mid April will have seen the peak of COVID infections and restrictions will be starting to lift by that stage. Whatever the reason, it just seems like ages since the 2021 Grand final and in the midst of a long hot summer, there are still nearly 2 months before the ball is bounced.

I also noticed that mate, and I am pretty certain that it changed at the last minute as the original fixture I saw had it starting a week earlier and they also with games more spread over the Easter Long weekend, this is a very late state, mind you with the heat this year and longer summers might be a good idea. I do like the later finish for the GF though.
 

Mr AFL wrote:

The West Australian Football Commission is set to collaborate with the AFL to source a new naming rights partner after agreeing to part ways with Optus at the end of 2021.

Optus ceased their partnership with the WAFL and WAFLW at the end of last season, bringing to an end a four-year association.

The decision is not expected to have any impact on the WAFL grand final being played at Optus Stadium.

With the WAFL due to kick off in mid-April and the WAFLW in full swing, the WAFC are still searching for a new naming rights partner.

But with the AFL taking an interest in broadcasting state leagues this year, the league is assisting the WAFC source a new partner.

It’s understood a major partnership can fetch around $300,000 a year.

As part of a new broadcast deal, WAFLW, WAFL colts and league games will be streamed, providing a significantly expanded product.

“We’re pleased to be collaborating with the AFL and we’re confident we’ll be able to convert a new partner with the increased offering available,” WAFC Head of Commercial Strategy and growth Daniel Grace said.

“We think we can take our exposure to a new level and offer a substantially bigger product.”

Optus said it was a mutual decision to end the partnership.

“We wish the WA Football League all the best for this season and beyond,” an Optus spokesperson said.

“Optus has been a proud partner of the WA Football League since 2018, including naming-rights partner of both the WAFL and WAFLW competitions since 2019.”

While the partnership has ceased, WAFLW clubs are still sporting Optus insignia on their guernseys after submitting jumper production orders in November.

The WAFC is committed to replacing the jumpers when a new naming rights partner is confirmed.

Crikey I wonder what happened to Optus, was it a 4 year only deal? MacDonalds bailed after 4 years as well.

Optus seem to be reducing their sporting footprint , they went huge on Soccer and have now cut right back and are only left with the EPL, having lost all the big international comps,  I see they are not even part of the next World Cup with SBS taking it all back.

Piss poor by the WAFC leaving it this late, here we are and no major naming sponsor, and in current climate it's going to be very hard, this partnership with the AFL sounds like they will just tie in with all the AFL sponsors losing more independence, but I do like the sound of the every game live streamed , this should of happened years ago.  

 

Would be wicked if WAFL is streamed on Kayo.