Described as a “big boost for the game’s coffers” the agreement between the FFA, Fox Sports, Foxtel and SBS is double the existing deal and provides significant free-to-air coverage.

New CEO David Gallop said the deal would underpin the FFA’s three priorities of developing national excellence, providing financial stability for the A-League and reconnecting with the game’s grassroots.

At the same time Gallop said the game’s governing body remained committed to covering the $2.775 million salary cap to ease the burden on A-League clubs, with FFA chairman, Frank Lowy confirming the cap would be fixed at its current level.

“This announcement comes at a time when the Hyundai A-League is showing its true potential as a shop window for Australian football," said Gallop.

“After seven rounds, average attendance of 14, 285 is up 32 per cent on last year’s average, our TV numbers just under 100,000 represent a 35 per cent increase.

“Our big games in the big cities are blockbusters and we’ve enjoyed so much over the seven rounds of football so far.”

Despite the spotlight on marquee signings Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey the conference was told Australia football viewing audiences had been on an upward trajectory for the past 24 months.

The new broadcast era launches on July 1, 2013 and consists of $148 million in cash and $12 million in marketing support. Under the agreement:

  • Fox Sports will provide exclusively live coverage of all Socceroos matches until 30 June 2017
  • SBS will provide free-to-air coverage on a one-hour delay of all Socceroos World Cup qualification matches played in Australia and overseas from now until 2017.
  • Fox Sports will continue to show all A-League games live until 30 June 2017.
  • From the 2013/14 season, SBS will provide live free-to-air coverage of the reegular season Friday night A-League matches, plus one hour delay broadcasts of ALL A-League finals games.
  • Fox Sports will be the Australian rights holder of the Asian Cup Australia 2015, broadcasting exclusively live coverage of the 32-match tournament.

Lowy hailed the new arrangement as the most valuable and important commercial agreement in the Australian football history.

“There’s never been any doubt that the game has a bright future in this nation, but today the football family can take comfort from the huge vote of confidence from our broadcast partners," said Lowy.

In announcing Fox Sports continuing commitment to football, CEO Patrick Delaney said: “It’s great to see the A-League really starting to burst out. We think it’s one of the most interesting and exciting and emerging sports in Australia.

“In the last two years the ratings have grown by nearly 100 per cent and that’s a very very good sign. I think the A-League and the clubs have got and exciting formula, with fantastic young players coming through, some of our legendary players returning and the Del Piero-factor.

"It’s a very good formula for the future.”

SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said the broadcaster was proud to be part of a partnership that would give all Australians access to the A-League and Socceroos.

“SBS has always championed the sports which unite communities and the world and with football being the world’s biggest game it is fitting that the A-League and Socceroos will now have a free-to-air presence on SBS, building on our strong football pedigree,” Ebeid said.

“This deal is exciting news for football fans across the country and will give all Australians access to matches like never before.

“It’s a partnership which will help take the domestic game in Australia to the next level and SBS is excited to be working with the FFA and Fox Sports to help grow the game.”