SANFL football's return to commercial television with Channel Seven is to be confirmed at the end of the month.

And the unprecedented investment of almost $1 million a season for the next three years goes far beyond weekend telecasts of the state league.

RUCCI: CAN SANFL AFFORD TO TURN DOWN SEVEN DEAL?

The production package offered by Eddie McGuire's Melbourne-based media company also will boost the SANFL's image on the Internet and social media.

Negotiations for sponsors to bankroll the SANFL's return to commercial television - for the first time since 1991 - are down to one final backer that has been brought to the talks by the Port Adelaide Football Club. The deal could be closed by next Friday.

With the finances secrured, the SA Football Commission at the end of the month is expected to endorse the McGuire deal that will have SANFL games shown on Channel Seven's sports-dedicated 7-Mate digital signal.

It also should spell the end of the SANFL's association with the non-commercial ABC which has carried state league games exclusively since Channel Nine stepped away in 1991.

To stay with the ABC would cost the SANFL as much as $150,000 in support fees to the national broadcaster. But the ABC cannot guarantee coverage beyond next season and has declined the SANFL's wish for a three-year agreement.

McGuire Media and Channel Seven's talks in anticipation of their SANFL partnership goes far beyond simply keeping the state league on television.

The production papers also emphasise "rejuvenating the league's image" and "expanding the SANFL clubs' commercial opportunities".

The latter is not possible on the ABC which has a charter forbidding commerical endorsements.

Offering new sponsors the chance to promote their businesses during an SANFL telecast could secure much-needed new financing for some cash-strapped SANFL clubs.

McGuire Media's production philosophy also vows to "deliver the SANFL into the 21st century". This is to be primarily achieved with six cameras used in each telecast.

But McGuire Media also is offering its marketing expertise to help the SANFL and its clubs develop stronger images on new media platforms, in particular mobile devices with an official league app that is critical for driving a new, younger supporter base.

Channel Seven's commitment is to go far beyond simply taking the McGuire Media feed from an SANFL game to fill air time on 7-Mate.

Seven also is embracing the SANFL by vowing to promote the state league - and its television coverage - during high-rating AFL telecasts on the network's main signal.

The SANFL next year will return to a 10-team competition for the first time since 1991 with the introduction of the Crows reserves team.

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