Netball Stars Push for Better Pay with New TV Deal

0:00It's April 19th. Welcome in. This is Sydney News Today, where local news meets AI. I'm Corey with the story. Joe Weston, the star for the Australian diamonds and head of the Netball Players Union, is pushing hard for better pay after a big new TV deal dropped. Last week, 9 just signed on for 5 years through 2031, airing every Super Netball game, all diamonds matches in the 2027 world. Cup, right here in Sydney, it's a game-changer, pulling the sport out from behind a paywall for the first time in five years. This deal starts January 1st, 2027, right after FoxTel's $35 million agreement runs out. Weston called it a momentous moment on ABC, saying free access opens doors for fans old and new. But she's clear, players need a slice of that broadcast cash, plus revenue from tickets, merch and sponsorships. Fans and players have been feeling the squeeze for years, especially after a nasty fight during the 2023 player agreement. Other women's leagues like AFLW

1:03and NRLW are heating up the competition, and Netball wants to keep its stars from jumping ship. Weston pointed out they're even signing badges with their faces, yet seeing 0% back. The Union scored a win in September 2025, giving national players a cut from diamond sponsorships, broadcasts and events. Still, they're heading back to the table to expand that model across the board. Union boss Katherine Harvey Williams says it treats players like the product they are, aligning Netball with top sports worldwide. With this TV boost and revenue push, Netball's gearing up for a sustainable run, rewarding the women driving its success and keeping the sport, bribing for the next generation.