Gil McLachlan gives free-to-air guarantee in next broadcast deal

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has ensured there will still be a significant free-to-air offering in the league’s next broadcast deal.

McLachlan has recently been in the US meeting with streaming giants as negotiations ramp-up ahead of the next deal to begin in 2025.

While the outgoing CEO was tight-lipped on the details of the next deal, he said accessibility is for all fans is crucial in his first interview since returning to Australia.

“We’ve got about three-and-a-half games on free-to-air and we won’t compromise that,” he told Neil Mitchell on 3AW Mornings.

“We will still be at a core, have, give-or-take that amount of content on free-to-air football, because it’s important that everyone can access our game, and the best of our game for free.”

McLachlan also ruled out a night Grand Final, with the start time to be discussed at an AFL Commission meeting next week.

“It won’t be at night, it’ll either be twilight or day,” he told Neil Mitchell.

Press PLAY below for the full interview