March
Why Sam Kerr’s legal troubles won’t derail the Matildas movement
This week on The Fin podcast, Zoe Samios on the Matildas’ Olympic campaign, the bankability of women’s sport and Sam Kerr’s legal troubles.
Kerr backed by Matildas star and Chelsea coach as ‘race slur’ revealed
The Matildas captain has the “full support” of the national squad and English team after new details emerged over her alleged clash with a police officer.
- Zoe Samios
Football Australia, Matildas coach blindsided by Kerr criminal charge
Sam Kerr is to face trial accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. She was charged six weeks ago, but Football Australia was left in the dark.
- Zoe Samios
February
Matildas crush Uzbekistan 10-0 to cruise into Olympics
Michelle Heyman scored four times as Australia trounced Uzbekistan in the second leg of their Olympic qualifier, going through 13-0 on aggregate.
- Anna Harrington
Australia’s favourite sports team is no longer male. Will the dollars follow?
Matildas merchandise already outsells the Socceroos’ by a factor of two to one. But in the big-money world of major sport, scoring goals doesn’t always move the dial.
- Updated
- Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Business of sport
Australia in the box seat to host the 2026 women’s Asian Cup
With money flowing into women’s soccer, registrations up and the Matildas on a roll, it would be the icing on the cake.
- Zoe Samios
January
Kerr honoured at FIFA awards as Ange, Gustavsson miss out
Sam Kerr was named in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World XI, voted for by players around the world.
- Updated
Sam Kerr suffers ‘devastating’ ACL injury
Sam Kerr has suffered an ACL injury during Chelsea’s warm weather training camp in Morocco, almost certainly ruling her out of the Olympics.
- Glenn Moore and Anna Harrington
November 2023
Socceroos, Matildas success boosts cash for Football Australia
Almost $20 million in prizemoney from the Socceroos, a boost in sponsorship and an uptick in merchandise sales nearly doubled Football Australia’s revenue.
- Zoe Samios
October 2023
SBS scores rights to next men’s soccer World Cup
The broadcaster will keep its 40-year relationship with soccer’s international body intact, after outbidding other networks and streamers.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones and Zoe Samios
Matildas lifted Optus brand by almost $1b after cyberattack
After suffering a $1.2 billion fall in brand value following last year’s hack, Optus has surged back, propelled by the Matildas’ World Cup success.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
September 2023
Foxtel slams proposal to put women’s sport on free TV list
The government released three proposals last month for how it could amend the anti-siphoning list, a scheme that prevents games being put behind paywalls.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
- Opinion
- Gender equality
Matildas and Barbie show the business case for gender equality adds up
An equal number of CEOs named Michael and Matilda, Bob and Barbie, Tom and Tilly would mean a better economic future for us all.
- Marie Festa
August 2023
Matildas deliver takeaway food bounce amid retail downturn
Takeaway orders during the Matildas’ historic World Cup campaign propped up July’s retail figures, as experts forecast a prolonged spending downturn.
- Michael Read
Why business is still feeling the Matildas-and-Barbie effect
The national women’s soccer team delivered a rare cultural moment hot on the heels of the highly successful Margot Robbie movie, and it means good things for gender equality.
- Bianca Hartge-Hazelman
- Opinion
- FIFA Women's World Cup
The Matildas delivered. Will business and government?
The nation’s love affair with the Matildas has changed the rules of the game for women’s sport. Will it change the money?
- Jennifer Hewett
- Opinion
- FIFA Women's World Cup
Women’s soccer is just starting to roar
England and Spain are home to the two richest soccer leagues. From a business and marketing perspective, it was the dream Women’s World Cup final.
- Matthew Brooker
AFR readers back Matildas, slam airlines decision
Financial Review readers were not in favour of a taxpayer-funded public holiday, but back Qatar Airways getting more flights to Australia.
- Michael Pelly
Fewer sports behind TV paywalls under proposed reforms
Of the 7 million people watching the Matildas play England, 6 million were on free-to-air aerial television. The government wants that protected by law.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Matildas effect: Albanese gives extra $200m for women’s sport
Each Matildas player will take home $180,000 if the team wins its third-place match on Saturday. The prime minister has acceded to calls for their success to prompt more support for women’s sport.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy