matt35 wrote:@MW
In the real world, not even close. Fortunately it isn't of course going to happen, but let's run with the hypothetical. The first thing to remember is that it isn't just about the money. People think the comp doesn't get the media it deserves now? You could pretty much say goodbye to any media. The ABC are gone and not coming back. Think commercial media are going to have any interest in covering a comp with absolutely no AFL connection to it? No chance! One common complaint I see on here, for example, is guaranteed coverage of games between the Crows and Port. Doesn't the fact that those games are always covered by channel Seven spell out everything you need to know about what the media would do if those teams were gone?
I loved the SANFL comp that we had in the 80s, with big crowds, replays every Saturday night etc etc. But I live in the real world and the real world is that we live in a town dominated by the AFL. We live in a town where the vast majority of Football supporters follow either the Crows or the Power. We live in a town where many people have been born since 1991 and do not have the connection to the SANFL that many of us have. I actually think it's probably fair to say that this site has a disproportionate number of people participating among it's regular posters who have no interest in either the Crows or Power. But if we are to have a viable competition going forward, it has to be a competition that is relevant to this town in 2016 and beyond. This absolutely means AFL participation, and thankfully the people running the competition have the foresight to see and accept this reality, as do the majority of clubs. Is it perfect? No. Could there be some tinkering? Quite possibly. But is it necessary? Absolutely.
MW and Matt - the SANFL is paying approximately $300k for the commercial TV coverage, this would cost the 7 legitimate clubs the equivalent of $42,000. There goes the crows contribution to the SANFL clubs for playing in the league. Good for the crows and port as their supporters can sit at home and watch their reserves. Not spending a cent at the local club on game day. How does this "mainstream coverage" of two games a year (unless you're port or the crows), help a Glenelg, Norwood etc. don't tell me sponsorship. Most sponsors want people at the games to the benefit of the club they sponsor.
Additionally in 2012 we had twenty games, now 18 with more byes and reasons for people to follow other interests. Of those 18 we play only 14 against "real clubs", playing under the same terms. One game is at Alberton with match day spending going to the power. Games against the crows receive no gate takings from crows freebie members. Membership prices wouldn't be the same as 2012 (I assume they've gone up) for less games.
I don't believe a decline (if it happened) to the current pathetic mainstream media coverage would have any major impact on the SANFL.
Let them go to the amateur league if they want. MW in answer to your question, I think the afl clubs in the current structure is costing the SANFL clubs.