Missing piece: Marconi and Bonnyrigg White Eagles battle it out in this year's NSW Premier League grand final. Both teams were former giants of the National Soccer League when it was broadcasted on Channel Seven. Picture: Wes Lonergan
FOOTBALL Federation Australia signed a historic $160 million television deal last year but the NSW Premier League didn't rate a mention at the round-table negotiations.
The second-tier competition failed to attract any interest from SBS and Fox Sports who instead entered into a shared broadcasting deal to televise A-League and Socceroos matches.
So where to now for the forgotten giants of Australian football such as Marconi, Sydney United and Bonnyrigg White Eagles?
Nowhere it seems.
At present, the NSW Premier League is screened on YouTube with Football NSW committing only to an online highlights package.
Football NSW chief executive Eddie Moore said broadcast costs and quality remain the major obstacle block in attracting free-to-air television coverage.
"We're always looking for ways to increase the competition's coverage," Moore said.
"At the moment we're focused on improving our digital online presence."
Similar second-tier competitions such as rugby union's Shute Shield and rugby league's Schoolboys Cup are televised on ABC and Channel Nine respectively.
Fairfax contacted SBS and Fox Sports for comment but both said "there were no immediate plans" to broadcast the competition.
SBS have been described as football's spiritual home in Australia but a spokeswoman for the government broadcaster said it's coverage only extended to online finals streaming.
Moore said all options would be looked at by Football NSW in the future including a possible deal with a western Sydney community broadcaster TVS.