Netball's New TV Deal: A Leap Toward Accessibility, but Pay Questions Loom

Coverage Overview

Netball Australia's announcement of a new five-year broadcast deal with Nine has stirred both excitement and questions about what it means for the sport's accessibility and its players' earnings. The deal, which kicks off in 2028, marks a significant shift from the current arrangement with Fox Sports, which has kept most matches behind a paywall on streaming platforms.

According to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the agreement will see every Super Netball match, all Australian Diamonds Tests, and the 2027 Netball World Cup broadcast on Nine, with a minimum of two matches per week shown on free-to-air television. This is a major change for fans who have had to subscribe to streaming services to follow the sport since 2022.

However, the deal's financial details remain undisclosed, and players' union president Jo Weston has publicly called for netballers to receive a share of the revenue generated by the new broadcast rights. "Obviously we're going to have to go back to the negotiating table now that we have a broadcast deal that has been signed," Weston said on ABC's Offsiders program.

Key Claims

• Melbourne Vixens are the new Super Netball leaders after defeating Adelaide Thunderbirds 56-50, according to an ABC match report.
• Queensland Firebirds fought back from seven goals down to defeat NSW Swifts 77-66, per the same report.
• The new broadcast deal includes every Super Netball match, Australian Diamonds Tests, and the 2027 Netball World Cup, as reported by ABC.
• The deal guarantees a minimum of two matches per week on free-to-air television, per ABC.
• Jo Weston, president of the Australian netball players' association, called for player pay increases following the deal's announcement, according to ABC.
• The current cost of Stan Sport, which holds the rights to some sports, is $32 per month, according to one ABC report.
• Sixteen full-time players have been sidelined due to injury across the Super Netball competition this season, as reported by ABC.

The New Broadcast Deal: What We Know

The five-year agreement with Nine, starting in 2028, marks a departure from the current rights held by Fox Sports, which expire at the end of 2027. ABC reports that the deal covers every Super Netball match, all Australian Diamonds Tests, and the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.

The most celebrated aspect is the move to free-to-air television for a portion of matches. After five years of paywalled coverage on Fox Sports and its streaming service, this change is being hailed as a "momentous occasion" by Weston, but she also emphasized the need for players to benefit financially from the deal's revenue.

The exact financial value of the deal has not been disclosed, and Weston acknowledged she wasn't sure of the precise figure, but she expressed hope that revenue would flow to players' pockets. The players' association has long advocated for a revenue share model, which was a sticking point during the 2023 Collective Player Agreement negotiations.

The latest deal, signed in September 2025, included a revenue share for national players from Diamonds' sponsorships, broadcast, and event revenue. But Weston noted that players still don't receive a percentage of many revenue streams, such as merchandise sales with player likenesses.

Kathryn Harby-Williams, a former Australian netballer and now a commentator, also weighed in on the matter, though her specific comments were not detailed in the provided extracts.

On-Court Action: Vixens Top the Ladder, Firebirds Roar Back

Amid the broadcast deal news, the Super Netball season has delivered its own drama. In a highly anticipated clash on Saturday night, the Melbourne Vixens defeated the Adelaide Thunderbirds 56-50, clinching the top spot on the ladder. The Thunderbirds had remained undefeated at the top of the table for the first six rounds, but a late defensive switch by the Vixens helped them overturn the lead in the final quarter.

The Queensland Firebirds, hampered by injuries, showed resilience by coming back from seven goals down to defeat the NSW Swifts 77-66. ABC attributed this to a "depleted midcourt" that nevertheless managed to silence the Swifts' home crowd.

In other results, the West Coast Fever defeated the Melbourne Mavericks 59-47, after the Mavericks scored just seven goals in the first quarter — their lowest quarter total in their three-year history. This loss allowed the Sunshine Coast Lightning to leapfrog the Mavericks into fourth place with a 59-51 win over the Giants.

Injury Crisis and Player Availability

The 2026 season has been blighted by injuries, with ABC reporting that 16 full-time players have been sidelined at some point during the competition. Coach Gerard Murphy of the Melbourne Mavericks was quoted as being "sprayed" (criticized) by his coach after his team's poor performance, but the broader context may relate to the toll of player unavailability.

Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis has commented on these issues, though the provided extracts do not delve into her remarks in detail.

Perspectives

Players' Union

Jo Weston and the players' association view the new deal as a win for accessibility but are pressing for a revenue share model so players benefit directly from increased broadcast exposure and revenue. They argue that players generate income through tickets, merchandise, and sponsorship, and deserve a cut.

Netball Australia

Netball Australia has framed the deal as a positive step for the sport's growth, potentially attracting new fans and sponsors. However, the organization has not disclosed the financial terms, which may frustrate players and fans seeking transparency.

Fans and Media Commentators

Some fans are cautiously optimistic, given the promise of free-to-air matches, but there are lingering questions about the deal's worth, impact on player wages, and plans for expansion. ABC's coverage reflects this hesitation, with a focus on the unknowns surrounding the agreement.

The shift to Nine from 2028 is seen as a major milestone for the sport, but as the 2023 CPA battle showed, tensions between the governing body and players over revenue distribution remain unresolved. With the sport now heading to free TV, the pressure on Netball Australia to deliver on player compensation will likely intensify.