Coaching great Leigh Matthews doubts the ninth AFL game introduced in 2012 is making as much money as widely thought.
With the advent of the Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants, an extra game has been played every round for almost a decade.
But Matthews said despite the view that an extra match is adding extra money to TV rights deals, it was crucial to consider all options into the future with the league looking to slash costs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I hate perpetuating a myth,” he said on Sportsday.
“It is a myth that the ninth game is worth anywhere near 1/9th of the broadcast rights. It’s been getting up my goat because I hate a myth being perpetuated.
“I’m told by the television people I know that the ninth game is worth almost nothing. The TV rights would almost be the same if there were eight games.
“But the bottom line is there is a financially-forced rethink about what’s going to happen in 2020 mostly. If we want to look ahead, there’s no reason in my mind why the current 18 team competition should be set in stone.
“It’s going to be looked carefully at what’s planned in the new world in footy when you’ve got less to spend.”
You can listen to more of Leigh Matthews on Sportsday in the player below.