AFL’s wildcard round sparks fan backlash amid NFL-style revenue push
The AFL's current broadcast deal is set to expire in 2031, and the league is working to secure a new agreement that appeals to fans and broadcasters alike. One of the strategies being considered is the introduction of a wildcard round, a move that has sparked mixed reactions from fans and former players.
The wildcard round, essentially an extra week of finals for teams ranked seventh to tenth, has been introduced primarily to maintain high NFL rights revenue. However, nearly 80% of AFL fans have expressed their disapproval of this decision. Critics, such as Carlton great Brendan Fevola and St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt, argue that it dilutes the quality of the finals series and devalues the regular season.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, however, remains optimistic. He believes that once fans see the wildcard round in action, they will come to support it. Meanwhile, in the NFL, South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly has expressed support for a wildcard round once the competition expands to 19 or 20 teams.
The AFL's wildcard round decision, driven by the desire to maintain high NFL rights revenue, has sparked controversy among fans and former players. While AFL CEO Andrew Dillon is confident that fans will warm up to the idea once they see it in action, only time will tell if the wildcard round will indeed prove popular or if it will remain a contentious topic in the world of Australian rules football.
