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If the AFL do invest in SEN, will that spell the end for VFL coverage?
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,15417215...
[quote]Crunch time for SEN
27 May 2005 Herald Sun
Mark Stevens, Damian Barrett and Jon Anderson
SPORTS agent Craig Kelly last night emerged as the key player in crisis talks at radio station SEN, which has sought the advice of an administrator.
Kelly is representing up to 10 of the network's commentators, including Bill Brownless, Tim Watson and Anthony Hudson, as they push for assurances wages will be paid.
Management of SEN, the all-sports radio station launched in January last year, yesterday told staff it hoped to honour, in full, all outstanding pay by June 15. Senior announcers met after the station's announcement where it was decided Kelly would be asked to front their campaign.
It is understood some commentators have considered staying off air.
"We are working for about 10 of the guys and they are really keen and committed for it to work," Kelly said last night. "Everyone is strongly behind the station."
It is understood several cheques recently issued by SEN have bounced.
The AFL is one of many organisations considering the SEN situation, with chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday refusing to rule out a buyout.
While costs would be a major issue, owning a TV and radio station as part of its next broadcast agreements is a project being analysed by AFL executives.
"Anything is possible," Demetriou said yesterday.
"We are going to explore different business opportunities in the industry that allow us to explore more options for the AFL and on behalf of our clubs that relate to equity positions or strategic alliances with broadcasters, ie, pay-TV, radio and other things. You have to read in to that what you want."
Asked specifically about SEN, Demetriou said: "I am not going to go in to specific details, but I would say anything is possible."
SEN managing director Danny Staffieri said yesterday the station would operate as normal today.
"We have sought the advice of, and not appointed, an administrator and there is a big difference," Staffieri said.
"Today will be business as usual and we are speaking with our shareholders over a couple of options. There have been a lot of rumours in the past week, and a great deal of the detail is incorrect.
"What I can tell you is the concept of SEN is sound and can work in this city."
Staffieri heads a group of silent investors in SEN, which leases its licence on AM band 1116 from Pacific Star.
Southern Cross Network, which runs Melbourne AM radio stations 3AW and Magic 693, owns 15 per cent of Pacific Star and recently bankrolled SEN by an estimated $250,000.
One weekly contributor contacted yesterday said he hadn't been paid this year while on-air announcers have been receiving delayed payments.
The station's rating this year is around 3.0 after a solid if unspectacular debut year in which it ended around 4.0.
The station has attracted some of the biggest names in sport to its host of commentators, including former AFL greats such as Dermott Brereton and Kevin Bartlett.
SEN committed to healthy contracts when it first began, with $150,000 annually the norm.
PACIFIC Star yesterday called a halt on all trading (closing at six cents) until Monday or after an announcement has been made.
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