Expansion of the A-League to a 12-team competition remains the ultimate goal of the Football Federation of Australia but that will largely hinge on the off-field success of the new season and the crucial support from broadcast partners.

Season 10 of the A-League could prove to be the most critical yet as its ability to maintain the viewer, spectator and membership growth of recent years will prove influential for the future in the toughest sporting market.

Marquee man: Melbourne City have a superstar in David Villa.

The head of the A-League, Damien De Bohun, says the groundwork for expansion will begin early this season when the FFA opens talks with broadcast partners over funding of a 12-team competition involving six televised games a week.

While there will be no new team entering the league until the expiration of the TV-deal following the 2016-17 season, official talks will begin before the end of the year with broadcast partners Fox Sports and SBS, as well as other interested parties.