NZF set for a windfall from playoff TV fees

New Zealand Football could claim a multi-million dollar windfall if the All Whites advance to the World Cup intercontinental playoffs in November.

The All Whites face the Solomon Islands next month across two legs, with the winner playing a home and away tie against the fifth-placed South American team.

Those matches — specifically the home leg — could be worth more than $2 million to NZF. While most are focused on the possibility of getting to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the rewards for simply making the final stage of qualifying are huge.

In 2013, the television rights fee for the tie against Mexico in Wellington were worth close to $6 million, with most of that money flowing into NZF’s coffers. That helped keep the game afloat in recent years, especially with the number of international teams NZF has to fund. That Mexico fee was extraordinary — testament to the demand from one of the world’s biggest football economies — but November’s playoff could again be economically significant.

The final amount depends on who the Oceania winner faces. If it’s Argentina, fifth but expected to rise up the Conmebol standings under new coach Jorge Sampaoli, the rights fee could be between $2 million and $3 million, given the massive interest in La Albiceleste and Lionel Messi.

Colombia, with a population of 49 million and big-name players scattered across Europe, would also result in a fee well into seven figures. If the eventual opponent was Chile or Peru the broadcast deal would remain substantial, with significantly reduced amounts expected for Ecuador (population 16 million), Paraguay (6.8 million) or Uruguay (3.4 million).

NZF’s planning for the tie is already well under way. That might seem presumptuous but the short time frames mean preparations must be started as a pragmatic step.

“We don’t have a lot of time from when we know we are in, to the game,” said NZF chief executive Andy Martin. “As much as possible is ready, should we qualify.”

Martin confirmed the significant potential fees discrepancy across different South American opponents. “There are probably two or three tiers in the group of TV potential,” said Martin. “If it’s someone like Argentina, it’s multiples. Ironically the hardest game on the field could potentially be the best revenue generator from a broadcast point of view. We are working through those options to see what we can do to generate the most revenue.”

The All Whites face the Solomon Islands at QBE Stadium in Auckland on September 1, before the return leg against the Bonitos in Honiara on September 5.