The AFL has struck a mammoth broadcast deal with Seven and Foxtel worth $4.5 billion over seven years.

As part of the deal Foxtel will have exclusive rights to Saturday games for the first eight rounds of the season.

There will also be Thursday night matches for the first 15 weeks.

It’s the biggest broadcast deal in Australian history with Seven and Foxtel having to find extra money to fend off bids from Nine Entertainment and a Channel 10 and Paramount bid.

Sports reporter Jon Ralph said it’s likely the extra money will be mainly used to pay for a Tasmanian team by 2026.

“I think they will tick off a Tasmanian team, and I think that could be as early as Brownlow medal day.”

Press PLAY below to hear what else the AFL could spend their money on

Image: The Age