The AFL and Channel Seven look set to reinforce one of world sport's longest-running broadcast partnerships as the two parties negotiate a potential two-year extension of the game's media rights.

Seeking some certainty amid the COVID-19 crisis that has wiped out football indefinitely, the AFL, the Seven Network and Fox Sports are exploring a new marginally reduced contract that would run until 2024.

Gillon McLachlan and the AFL and Channel Seven are negotiating a potential two-year extension of the game's media rights. Credit:Getty Images

In a series of sensitive talks involving league chief Gillon McLachlan, his chief financial officer Ray Gunston and respective media bosses James Warburton and Patrick Delaney, the AFL is also negotiating a new 2020 rights package dependent on when and if the season resumes.

In marked contrast to the bitter fall-out between the NRL and Nine, Seven and Fox have remained publicly supportive of the AFL and McLachlan's determination to salvage something of the 2020 season.