Listen to the half time coaches talk

[midfielder]

From the TerrORgraph...

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...dical-innovation/story-e6frey4r-1226270139178

A-League's radical innovation


A-LEAGUE viewers will be offered a unique insight into the dynamics of a halftime changing room under a radical proposal the clubs will be asked to approve for the finals.

TV coverage already includes vision from inside the changing rooms at halftime but the new plan would permit a microphone to broadcast the coach's address and players talking to each other - most likely with a short delay to allow for foul language to be struck out.

It's a unique proposition that not even the NRL, AFL and Super Rugby have embraced. And it comes as the A-League faces renewed competition for media coverage and viewers with the imminent resumption of those codes.

The A-League clubs will be asked to approve the proposal this week, and though some coaches might be expected to oppose the move, soccer chiefs are anxious to prove their willingness to embrace innovation as they continue negotiations for a new broadcasting deal.

In that light, a further project planned for later this year will see a pre-season game in which coaches and referees are miked up, and physios wearing the "umpire's view" camera that has been such a success in the Big Bash.

The aim of that experiment will be to submit a package of highlights to FIFA seeking permission to continue innovation in the A-League.

An earlier plan to allow Fox Sports to broadcast the audio picked up by the microphone referees already wear - to communicate with their assistants - fell foul of an existing FIFA regulation barring any use except for officials talking.

But Football Federation Australia hopes to make a case to FIFA that it operates in a uniquely challenging market, competing with three other football codes.

In the background are the continuing negotiations with Fox Sports and the free-to-air networks over a new TV deal. The exclusive arrangement with Fox runs out next year.

"The experience for the TV viewer watching Australian sport has changed rapidly in the past few years," FFA CEO Ben Buckley said. "Football needs to embrace these trends to win our fair share of the audience in a highly competitive sports market.

"New broadcast technology allows for innovations that take the viewer closer to the action and behind the scenes. They are new ways to tell the great stories and drama of a football match. The A-League has started to embrace these opportunities."

 

[Bex]

Cool, maybe the FFA will also allow cameras and microphones into their board meetings so everyone can see what's going on at the FFA too....

 

[finally retired]

Cool, maybe the FFA will also allow cameras and microphones into their board meetings so everyone can see what's going on at the FFA too....

ha ha ha....love that idea, but you can bet that one (or the MRP meetings) will never see the light of day.

 

[hasbeen]

Stupid idea

 

[MrCelery]

Cool, maybe the FFA will also allow cameras and microphones into their board meetings so everyone can see what's going on at the FFA too....

Brilliant!