ABC chair Kim Williams has revealed he opposed Tasmania’s bid to enter the AFL during his time as a commissioner of the league.
Williams made the disclosure on the Poll Position podcast with Brad Stansfield and Alex ‘AJ’ Johnston, recorded while he was in town to deliver the annual Andrew Bent lecture this week.
“I was an AFL commissioner for many years,” Williams said.
“I think it would be a polite summary to say I was not an enthusiasm for Tasmanian expansion.”
Williams served on the AFL Commission from 2014 to 2021.
He retired two years before the 18 club presidents unanimously approved Tasmania’s 19th licence in May 2023.
Asked why he opposed expansion, Williams declined to go into detail.
“Well, I think that would be between me and my fellow commissioners,” he said.
“I’d have to say I was a bit of a spoilsport.”
Williams declined to offer a current view on the Macquarie Point stadium.
“I’m not Tasmanian,” he said. “I’m not going to be foolish enough to offer some sort of gratuitous opinion about it.”
Williams was recruited to the commission in 2014 for his media and broadcasting expertise after a decade running Foxtel and a stint as CEO of News Corp Australia.
AFL.com.au described him on his retirement as “a key player in the AFL’s broadcast deals”.
Williams was appointed ABC chair in March 2024 for a five-year term.
The $1.13 billion roofed stadium at Macquarie Point passed Tasmania’s parliament in December 2025 and is scheduled to host fixtures from 2031.
