The conclusion of the A-League's 2019-20 season is under threat after broadcaster Fox Sports asked for a reduction in the fees it pays to show the league domestically.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Fox Sports want Football Federation Australia (FFA) to reduce the asking price of the remaining three years of the current broadcast deal by between 50% and 70%.
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At the moment, the broadcast deal between the governing body and Fox is worth A$57.6 million per year over six years.
The SMH is reporting that FFA and A-League club representatives were told of these demands during a teleconference with the broadcaster on Tuesday, leaving the governing body with only weeks to deal with the situation as the league is set to resume in mid-July.
League sources said Fox was trying to use the COVID-19 situation and poor recent A-League ratings as leverage for their position.
The A-League is in a unique position in Australia as it has just a few rounds of its regular season left, compared to the AFL and NRL, which are still at the start of their 2020 seasons.
It is expected to get underway again in mid-July, with the Grand Final to be played on Aug. 22.