FOOTBALL'S long-awaited TV deal has finally been signed off, but Ben Buckley's $39 million-a-year parting gift to the game was last night bogged down in last-minute red tape even as the departing Football Federation CEO clears his desk today.

Though the terms of a deal that from next July doubles the game's broadcast income are locked in, final government approval in detail to SBS's part of the deal was still being sought and putting plans for a press conference on ice.

Buckley stands down today, to be succeeded by David Gallop on Monday, having agreed the broadcast package that will bring the A-League to free-to-air television for the first time.

It's believed the deal will also include digital rights, such as the ability to view games on mobile phones, and will replace the $125 million deal that Fox Sports signed in 2006.

But government bureaucracy that has delayed the public confirmation for weeks was last night threatening to force the announcement into next week, although there were still hopes of a late announcement today.

The new deal will keep the bulk of the A-League on Fox Sports but give one live A-League game to SBS every Friday night, with Socceroos games shown live on Fox and on a one-hour delay on SBS.

It's a very healthy figure, not one to do cartwheels over but it means the game is a lot healthier

It's believed SBS will also take Fox's commentary on games.

The size of the deal means FFA can keep its pledge to the clubs of covering the salary cap, though it will also change the dynamics of discussions when the players union opens talks with FFA over a new collective bargaining deal for the players.

Former PFA CEO Brendan Schwab, still the union's lead negotiator for the collective deal, has already signalled his intention to seek a larger reward for the players in the form of a bigger cap.

"It's a very healthy figure, not one to do cartwheels over but it means the game is a lot healthier," said one senior club figure.

The TV deal allows Buckley to leave the game with renewed credit having taken widespread criticism for issues including the A-League's botched expansion program.

Gallop, meanwhile, starts next week as the third consecutive CEO to come from outside the game, after John O'Neill and Buckley, and inherits a landscape that has altered dramatically in recent months.

The imminence of the TV deal, successful inclusion of Western Sydney Wanderers and most pertinently the arrival of Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono, have given the A-League a public glow that has translated into greatly increased attendances and TV ratings.

Buckley meanwhile has deflected all questions about his future, though his preference is believed to be to secure a new job in Sydney rather than returning to his home city of Melbourne.

Originally published as Red tape delays soccer TV deal