A-Leagues launch new digital hub for football

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL), the entity charged with growing the professional football leagues in Australia, has unveiled its unique digital platform KEEPUP in an effort to unite football fans on and off the pitch.

Featuring football content from around the world, the platform aims to broaden and enhance the fan experience by connecting A-Leagues fans and international competition fans in one place.

The KEEPUP digital platform and data infrastructure, which launched today, represents a major investment in football in Australia. It is currently available as a website or app on both IOS and Android.

In its current form, the platform will focus on creating and curating content to bring fans close to the game however they choose, with significant expansion planned into the future.

KEEPUP will feature compelling content from the best of the A-Leagues, European and world football, the Socceroos and Matildas, NPL, and FFA Cup. A-League clubs’ content hubs will also be integrated onto the platform to ensure fans are offered the most comprehensive football resource available in Australia.

“KEEPUP is a football platform, built by football people for football fans and which delivers a unique experience and provides a central source of news and features to unite the currently fragmented football market. Our digital-first strategy creates the opportunity for our fans to experience what’s happening in the world of football, both on and off the pitch,” said Ant Hearne, Chief Commercial Officer, APL.

KEEPUP will continue to evolve through the season as it adds layers of dedicated coverage, augmented by significant tie-ups with domestic and international content providers.

KEEPUP has already assembled an unprecedented array of voices to tell unique and powerful stories about football in Australia and around the world. The site and app will provide insights, in-depth features and analysis on games, transfer news, as well as stories on culture and football identities from a team of football journalists on staff led by Richard Bayliss, Director of Content.

APL will also feature commentary from some of Australia’s football elite including Premier League great Mark Bosnich, Matildas legend Melissa Barbieri and Socceroos captain Matt Leckie.

“And this is just the beginning. We have a bold plan to evolve KEEPUP into an unparalleled global digital hub, expanding functionality beyond a content base to include gamification, e-Commerce, ticketing, second screen live stadium experiences and loyalty programs,” continued Hearne.

Future phases of development also include engagement with Australian grassroots football players via digital products and services designed to improve their football experience, to ensure every fan can enjoy the football in the way they choose.

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777 Partners declare bankruptcy, Melbourne Victory to move on

According to Josimar Football, American-owned 777 Partners, whose ownership portfolio includes seven football clubs worldwide, was declared bankrupt on Monday.

It has been confirmed that creditors A-Cap are now in control of the shares at each of the clubs but have been urged to sell those stakes ‘as soon as possible.’

One of those seven football clubs are Melbourne Victory, who accepted 777’s bid for a minority share in the club in October 2022.

The Miami-based 777 Partners bought just 19.9 per cent of the club at a price of $8.7m, with the option of the company eventually taking a controlling stake of 70 per cent in the club.

The other clubs 777 took over were Genoa (Italy), Standard Liege (Belgium), Hertha Berlin (Germany), Red Star (France) and Vasco da Gama (Brazil), while having minority stake in Melbourne Victory and Sevilla (Spain).

777’s shady history and poor business dealings

This financial collapse of the private equity investment firm had been forthcoming, after news in May earlier this year that co-founders Josh Wander and Steven Pasko were removed from the board and had stepped back from their roles as managing partners amid financial struggles.

On the football side of their operations, Hertha Berlin and Standard Liege active fans made banners attacking co-founder Josh Wander for his ‘corrupt’ way of running the clubs transfer and sponsorships dealings. Hertha Berlin in particular had fans aggressively protest outside the Olympiastadion after their relegation in the 2022/23 season.

Co-founder Josh Wander also has a serious criminal history, involving being arrested for possession of stimulants, that is rumoured to have affected his ability to take over Premier League side Everton after he needed to pass the Fit-and-proper owners test regulated by the FA.

From the way they dealt with Bonza to their shocking football club record, everything about this investment group is dubious.

Not a serious situation for Victory

Fortunately for Victory, the stake is minor and unlikely to have too much of an impact on the club’s business dealings or financial situation. With 777 being forced to sell that share in the club, Victory will have to look to acquire a new stakeholder, this time a partner with a bit of stability.

A club spokesman talked about the situation at hand.

“777 is still a 19.9 per cent shareholder of Melbourne Victory,” a club spokesman said.

“As a minority shareholder, the latest on 777 has had no effect on Melbourne Victory and its operations.”

This situation has already left an awkward mark on the club last season with 777’s own Bonza Airlines falling into administration in May.

Bonza subsequently became the Victory’s principal, front-of-shirt sponsor and collapsed just days before the 2024 A-League Grand Final in Gosford, forcing a quick shirt change to insurance company AIA.

Turkish Airlines replaced Bonza as the flying partner of the club and joined the club in March, potentially as a backup plan for the inevitable Bonza implosion.

Conclusion

This news is positive for Melbourne Victory despite the negative implications on the surface level. It allows the club to get away from the disreputable, unreliable 777 Partners and focus on handing the 19.9% stake to partners that are more responsible.

Victory’s business dealings have been superb in recent seasons, growing their already large corporate portfolio and continuing to be one of the richest clubs in the A-League.

Under new manager Patrick Kisnorbo, Victory will look to get back to A-League glory for the first time since 2017/18, whilst also consistently providing some of the largest attendance numbers in the country.

Newcastle Jets confirmed Brydens Lawyers as major partner

The Newcastle Jets have confirmed Brydens Lawyers as their 2024/25 Major Partner and Official Legal Partner.

Brydens Lawyers will be showcased on the front of the Jets’ Men’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys, as well as on the back of the Women’s Home, Away, and alternate jerseys during the club’s 20th anniversary season in the A-League.

A top law firm in NSW known for offering Free* Legal Advice in the communities they serve, Brydens Lawyers, have been long-time supporters of local sports in the Newcastle and Hunter region for many years.

Newcastle Jets fans and members got their first glimpse of the 2024/25 season playing kits two weeks ago, as the club revealed the Men’s and Women’s Home and Away uniforms.

Principal of Brydens Lawyers Lee Hagipantelis said via press release.

“Brydens Lawyers is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Newcastle Jets as the Major Partner, affirming its commitment to supporting sport and the community in the Newcastle and Hunter region,” he said.

“The Newcastle Jets are a cornerstone of the local sporting landscape, and this sponsorship is a natural extension of Brydens Lawyers’ mission to give back to the community and encourage engagement in sport at all levels.

“We believe that investing in local sports not only promotes healthy lifestyles but also fosters a sense of unity and pride within the community. We are excited to be part of the Newcastle Jets’ journey and to contribute to their success.

“The sponsorship will provide the Newcastle Jets with essential resources to enhance their pathway and elite programs, and the supporters of the Jets, together with the broader community, will continue to avail themselves of the expert legal advice and representation that Brydens Lawyers has provided for over 50 years.”

Newcastle Jets CEO, Shane Mattiske, said via press release.

“The Club is very excited to have the support of such a preeminent Australian business and importantly an organisation that makes a significant contribution to this region here in Newcastle,” he said.

“We appreciate Lee’s and Brydens Lawyers’ support of both our Men’s and Women’s A-League teams as we enter an exciting new era at the club.

“We call on all Novocastrians to get behind the Jets with our Men’s opening game at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 October against Melbourne City and our Women’s home opener on November 3 at No. 2 Sportsground against the Wanderers.”

The Jets plan to unveil their 2024/25 alternate kit at a future date.

Brydens Lawyers will offer several Free Legal Advice Consultations at local Wests Club throughout the year.

For more information about the law firm, click here.

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