'Bloody mess' leads to mass jobs cut at A-League governing body amid financial concerns
Australian football is entering a "truly dark" period, with almost half of the staff at the A-League governing body set to be axed amid financial concerns.
Reports from The Sydney Morning Herald have revealed that close to 50 per cent of the 80-odd workers at the Australian Professional Leagues will either lose their jobs or already have lost their jobs due to an ongoing restructure.
As part of the changes, the APL's digital and content arm 'KeepUp' will reportedly be scrapped, with a statement explaining the evolution of the business.
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Newcastle Jets are one of two A-League clubs without an owner. Getty
"In the three years since unbundling, APL has implemented a strategy that has seen a period of rapid growth across our business," an APL spokesperson said.
"With the original three-year strategy coming to an end, a planned full strategic and commercial review has taken place over the last several months.
"The review has identified significant opportunities to create efficiencies through consolidation and this necessitates an organisational restructure that is now underway."
The statement also revealed their "priorities remain the same" as they look to "deliver commercial growth and sustainability" across Australia and New Zealand.
According to the Herald's sources, the job cuts are an acknowledgement that the APL's previous strategy was not working and that a new vision is needed, potentially leading to further collaboration with Football Australia.
The latest decision from the APL has raised further concerns regarding the future of the A-Leagues, with two clubs - Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets - without an owner in the midst of the 2023/24 campaign.
The men's competition is due to expand to 14 teams next season, but only a new Auckland franchise run by US billionaire Bill Foley confirmed at this stage, while a Canberra team has also been touted but remains up in the air.
