World Footy News

In a potentially major blow to spreading the game in the United States, FOX Sports World will not cover the AFL in 2005 or beyond, as it becomes FOX Soccer Channel. The Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA) report that the change should not affect coverage in Canada, and they are hopeful that the AFL can secure a deal with another US network.

The change will occur on February 7th, the day after the US Super Bowl. Affiliates and cable and satellite providers are said to have been notified. News reports on Multichannel News also confirm that sports other than soccer will not be renewed as the rights deals expire. FOX Soccer Channel will not carry Australian football for the US market in 2005. AFANA believes FOX Sports World Canada intends continuing coverage, as will MHz Networks (local coverage in metro Washington DC only). It seems likely that the AFL will not be on air in the US at the start of the 2005 season, but hopefully an alternative arrangement can be found. There had been talk of an attempt to secure airtime on the All-Sports Television Network (the company the USAFL recently signed a 3-year deal with), but this would be reduced coverage compared with previous years on FOX.