The telco will cease to manage Football Federation Australia’s expansive digital network from the end of this month, including 18 websites, mobile sites and mobile apps covering the Socceroos, Matildas, A-League, W-League and Youth League.
 
A telecommunications deal – which supports small sided football – will end on July 31 and Optus will not appear as a Socceroos sponsor if the team makes the 2014 World Cup.
 
FFA today confirmed it is talking to potential partners for the digital rights after the decision by Optus not to renew its existing agreements.
 
Optus Head of Brand, Nathan Rosenberg said the company was withdrawing from all sports sponsorship, including AFL's Carlton Football Club, to concentrate on its core business.
 
“This means that we have made the tough decision to not renew our sponsorship as Football Federation Australian’s Official Telecommunications Partner,” Rosenberg said.
 
“Exiting the sponsorship with FFA was a tough call, but we need to invest in areas where our customers will directly receive the benefits.
 
“Optus has enjoyed a long and proud partnership with the FFA and we congratulate them on building a dynamic and exciting sport, particularly in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. “
 
FFA Head of Commercial Operations David Tucker said Optus had helped build vibrant digital content over the past two years but that several parties had shown strong interest in picking up the digital network.
 
“There is a strong growth story behind the digital traffic with the Socceroos World Cup qualifiers, Manchester United, Liverpool and the Foxtel A-League All Stars driving huge interest over the next few months,” Tucker said.
 
“In the longer term, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the planned FFA Cup will bring new properties into the network. Digital channels and social media are major strategic projects for FFA and we are well placed for the future.
 
“Optus has explained to FFA that the company is taking a new strategic direction that will see a greater focus on direct customer relationships.”
 
Tucker added: “We thank the company for their contribution to making Australian football what it is today; a thriving sport with a huge following in mainstream Australian society.
 
“Optus been a major sponsor of FFA since 2008 and has been a committed partner in growing the game at every level from grassroots, through to the Hyundai A-League and the Qantas Socceroos.”
 
FFA said it is also talking to potential partners for the small-sided games program which involves more than 400,000 young players across Australia.
 
“FFA is expecting significant interest in the small-sided games category because of the high-level of grassroots engagement the sponsorship brings,” Tucker said.
 
In 2011 Optus signed a digital partnership with FFA and renewed its role as the governing body’s official telecommunications partner for a further two years.