While Fox Sports is in the box seat to maintain a hold on most of the rights, FFA wants a free-to-air partner and also to sell digital rights to a telecommunications company such as Optus, which holds English Premier League rights and wants more sports content, or Telstra.

Going to the market quickly may mean FFA has been given an indication in recent weeks that at least one free-to-air bidder is keen to buy some rights, although it also means the sport is moving rapidly to strike a deal before Cricket Australia formally begins negotiations on a lucrative deal for Test cricket, limited-over international and Big Bash League rights in early 2017.

It is understood FFA is being advised by Adara Partners, a corporate advisory firm that engages high-profile investment bankers to work on deals from which the fees for their services are ultimately donated to charity.

The tender documents reveal FFA is in the market for A-League matches, as well as Socceroos home friendly internationals and the first two rounds of World Cup qualifiers. The last and current round involving the Socceroos is sold directly to the Australian market by Lagardere Sports, which in October sold the rights to Fox Sports, which then sold free-to-air rights to Nine Entertainment to show on its Gem digital channel.

Saturday evening match

Multiple options have been listed in the tender, across free-to-air, pay television and Over The Top digital streaming. One requirement for a free-to-air broadcaster is to show a Saturday evening match on its primary channel, though live finals series matches are also included.

FFA is also offering Matildas' matches, the W-League and some international club friendlies held on Australian soil.

There is also an option for more matches to be included in the deal if FFA moves to expand the number of teams in the A-League, presumably in return for a high rights fee. An additional match could then be shown on free-to-air.

FFA chief executive David Gallop recently revealed the league would release the framework for expansion and invite bids for new team licences early in the new year.