POORER clubs need to be compensated for the role they play in TV rights revenue and maximising crowds, according to Port Adelaide chairman David Koch.
The AFL negotiated a five-year, $1.25 billion broadcasting deal in 2011 based on playing nine games a week.
Koch was speaking as he entered a historic meeting of AFL club presidents and CEOs in Adelaide on Tuesday to hear proposed equalisation measures.
Describing Port Adelaide as one of the "battler" clubs, Koch said he supported the principle of maximising revenues by ensuring the fixture was designed to attract the biggest crowds and TV ratings.
"We need an equal playing field. It's not handouts, it's simply compensation for what all clubs deserve," Koch said. "We are realistic enough to know that we sell TV rights for a lot of money and those rights holders want to play the big glamour team that get all the ratings. We all understand that is the business of footy."
Koch said the mechanics of football meant the bigger clubs received the marquee games, which led to increased opportunities to attract sponsors, members and gate receipts.
There has been a push from some clubs to ensure richer clubs don't cloud the equalisation debate by claiming they are being unfairly taxed to prop up poorer clubs.
Those clubs argue that the fixture and ground rationalisation favours allows the game's overall revenue to increase but also leads to richer clubs gaining significant advantages.
Last week Geelong president Colin Carter told AFL.com.au he thought the conversation need to be framed around compensation rather than tax.
"[The] conversation should be framed in terms of compensation first to the poorer clubs more so than taxation. The reality is that the wealthier clubs get breaks because of the fixtures and stadium and that is where I start," Carter said.
Carter is attending the meeting to hear proposals from the equalisation subcommittee. It is the first time presidents and CEOs have gathered as a group since the Monday before the 2013 AFL Grand Final.
Koch praised the work of the subcommittee and said Collingwood and Hawthorn's approach had been fantastic.
However he said "the battlers like us, need to be compensated" and change would improve Port Adelaide's competitiveness in the premiership race.
"We can win a premiership. It [equalisation] means we have a more realistic chance if we have that level commercial playing field," Koch said.
Port Adelaide's average attendance in 2013 was 27,035 compared to Collingwood's 53,745.
Tuesday's meeting is expected to wind up later in the evening but equalisation proposals are not expected to take full effect until 2015 to allow the industry to prepare for their impact.
