[1] After a series of legal challenges, the A-League became the sole national league with largely the same composition of teams as the previous NSL season.
Prior to the season beginning, the league announced a sponsorship agreement with Ericsson that was supposed to last until 2000, though was terminated a year early in mid-1999.
The sponsorship led to the league being renamed the Ericsson Cup, though the A-League and NSL names were still used in various forms.
[2][3][4] The commencement of the season was delayed as relegated teams Melbourne SC and Heidelberg United obtained court injunctions to prevent the league going ahead.
[5][6] Parramatta Eagles, Melbourne SC and Heidelberg United were excluded from the national league, while Newcastle Breakers returned after a one-season absence.