Howard could negotiate league’s political minefield
By Laine Clark, 8 Oct 2009
- Tagged:
- Gold Coast Titans, John Howard, Mal Meninga, Michael Searle, NRL, Rugby League
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His political career certainly did not last as long as John Howard’s. But Mal Meninga had no doubt the former Australian Prime Minister would be a success in rugby league’s “political minefield”.
Howard was sounded out recently by Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle to become the inaugural chairman of an independent commission to run the sport.
Searle is leading an NRL club committee to establish the commission with eight directors.
League legend Meninga could manage a smile about his own aborted political career but he was deadly serious when he backed Howard in the mooted chairman role.
“I dabbled in politics for about 16 seconds, I am sure he doesn’t need a lot of advice from me,” Meninga said.
“He has managed a country of 20 million people before.
“But rugby league can be a political minefield at times.
“We have all these different factions in our game.
“It is not an easy game but I am sure he could handle it if he took it on.”
While Howard is 70, Queensland Origin coach Meninga said the former PM would inject the “fresh blood” he believed the sport needed.
It is proposed the NRL, the ARL, the NSWRL, the Country Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League would all merge and operate under the commission.
“I wouldn’t say we have hangers on in our administration at the moment – we have passionate people at the top of our game, who have tremendous experience, that should never be underestimated,” Meninga told AAP.
“I just think we need to freshen the game up.
“We have got five independent bodies that sit at various levels and a partnership that oversees things.
“I think an independent commission with tremendous networking and business acumen who have got a passion for the game can take the sport in a new direction.
“Rugby league has a wonderful product but I think we need fresh blood who can take us in a fresh direction.”
Searle said the process for finding potential commissioners began 18 months ago but claimed there was no time frame for it to be completed.
“It is important that we get the negotiations across the line in regards to the creation of an independent commission,” Searle told Fox Sports TV.
“This (is) maybe the vehicle that will allow us to get highly credentialled and certainly people with high integrity and community leaders to come to our game – it would be an outstanding result for rugby league.
“One administration controlling the game of rugby league would be an outstanding outcome for our game considering we do have a convoluted structure at the moment.
“One of the many benefits of an independent commission would be that we have community leaders that represent all interests of the community but also bring to the game a new view on how the game should be moving forward.”
© AAP 2013
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- Explore:
- Gold Coast Titans, John Howard, Mal Meninga, Michael Searle, NRL, Rugby League
October 8th 2009 @ 8:49am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Some great articles about this from Roy Masters and Richard Hinds (even though it pains me to say it). I hope we have this commision up before the start of the next season. Will give them some time to work out how the structure will work, and what changes need to be made. As well it gives them enough time to come to grips with the current TV contracts and make sure that the NRL maximises their value. Slicing up things like Origin and Test Matches as a separate entity, and even going as far as selling timeslots (Friday nights/Saturday nights etc). This way we may even have Rugby League on all 3 channels
October 8th 2009 @ 9:20am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
At the end of the day, the AFL has the structure league wants and about a 20 year head start.
The NRL is not necesarily 20 years behind, but the issues raised in Hind’s article are a much more realistic assessment of the challenges faced by a commission and the tough decisions that have to be made for the ‘good of the game’.
Struggling Sydney clubs
Propping up Melb Storm
Untangling from News LTd/Foxtel
Note: DOW, even Masters admits the Storm lose between $5-6M per year.
Masters as usual couldnt resist his fear mongering re the AFL, but its interesting how it is used as the benchmark league aspires to. The AFL must be doing something right.
A lot of pain ahead for the struggling Sydney clubs, Howard may have a soft spot for the Dragons, but as soon as he acts against Cronulla or the Roosters – it will be on. Think mini- Superleague.
News Ltd’s exit is universally viewed as the 100% solution, the reality is that its just the start and maybe 1 or 2 steps backwards again before going forward.
Redb
October 8th 2009 @ 9:37am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:37am | Report comment
Who mentioned the AFL? No one (Ok Roy did in his article, but he does live in Melbourne and has to read 20 pages about AFL daily, before he gets to the small article about League. It did my head in when I was last in Melbourne). I do have to ask, why do you continue to read Roy’s articles if it pains you so much? I refuse to read Rebecca Wilson because she hates League with a passion.
Anyway, the article’s are all about the NRL moving forward, and it’s an exciting time for all League supporters. Finally the NRL may have a plan, and with the model being based off the NFL model, which is a little better for League given they have a lot of the same issues as the NFL (Players in trouble off the field), not to mention finally they make it work better than either code does in Australia.
As for the mini superleague. No clubs will be forced to merge. The way it was proposed to work was that each club was to be given a 1/16th share in the game (new clubs would be also given a share). The value of this should ensure all clubs survive, but it could already be too late for Cronulla, while all the clubs could probably agree to a very large carrot appearing if one of the Sydney clubs relocates, though that will take Politis moving on if it is to be the Roosters.
And finally no one said this will be an easy road, but it is the road forward. Their will be some pain, especially at the NSWRL, QRL and CRL who will see major changes in structure as the duplication of roles are removed, helping stream line the organisation (though I can’t see them moving without a fight), and getting money to those who need it. Junior clubs.
As I said, a very exciting time to be a League fan. It’s taken a while to get to this point, but finally their is a light at the end of the tunnel.
October 8th 2009 @ 9:45am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Masters’ article appeared in todays Melbourne AGE. If you dont read articles it is difficult to form the brilliant opinions I espouse and come up with well thought out responses to all posts on the Roar
DOW, pick up the Daily Telepgraph and report back on how many pages are on RL v AFL. Shits me when i’m in Sydney, but thats why we have the internet.
“with the model being based off the NFL model, which is a little better for League given they have a lot of the same issues as the NFL (Players in trouble off the field)”…. and the truth shall set you free.
BTW both Hinds and Masters menitoned AFL, as did FoxSport News. As much as Michael Searle hates it, there is a resemblance to what the AFL have done.
(which also takes some ideas from the NFL structure)
Redb
October 8th 2009 @ 10:30am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
AFL always gets a couple of pages in the Tele in Sydney. Can’t say the same for the NRL in Melb papers. Another way that News Ltd is assisting the game! It also helps explain why AFL supporting states don’t realise how big the game is in the Northern States.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:47am
Michael C said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
It does (NRL in Melb paper(s)), it does, it does.
Especially the Herald SUn, and they got really good coverage in the lead up to the GF (as they should anyway, with nothing else on).
It’s the Fairfax press (theAge) that is less so inclined….but, that’s because they have aligned more so with Melbourne Victory.
btw – you’d've been happy with Molly Meldrum on Hey Hey last night (including the Surfboard)??
October 8th 2009 @ 10:51am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
DOW,
Not my experience from the DT.
I think the underestimation of tradtional code support cuts both ways.
Redb
October 8th 2009 @ 3:03pm
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
The AFL pay for those pages in the tele, so they should be complaining if they are not present.
October 8th 2009 @ 3:35pm
Michael C said | October 8th 2009 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
DofW
The AFL will pay for the promotional ads…..but, on what basis do you suggest they pay beyond that??
They have ‘contra’ deals with their broadcast partners. News Ltd newspapers don’t fit that criteria.
October 8th 2009 @ 11:21am
Michael C said | October 8th 2009 @ 11:21am | Report comment
Roy Masters has two distinct articles today, in theAge, about the first broadcast rights ‘salvos’ being fired, and in the SMH, more about News Ltd seeking to off load from the NRL.
He does cover off the likelihood of the NRL bundling it’s product offerings and sub selling them, with Ch.7 expressing interest in SoO. (Masters) reckons it’d be bad for the AFL…..personally, I reckon it’d simply be another nail in the coffin of Rugby Union on FTA – - given the Wallabies don’t see much pre-midnight time outside of Sydney and Brisbane. Anyway – Masters has gone a broad sweep today.
October 8th 2009 @ 9:42am
The Link said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment
The NRL and AFL tend to borrow ideas from each other (judiciary, finals systems), but RL has been screaming out for this for years. It can be a tendency for RL to blame everything on the SL war, but its highly likely RL would’ve had this structure 10-15 years ago if it wasn’t for the events in ’95-97.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:13am
Michael C said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Most likely so very true.
Sometimes people here (in Melbourne….via the sports media) comment about the NRL being 20 years behind.
In some respects (stress – - ‘some’) that may be so. BUt, surely it’s not because they are drongoes.
The Superleague fiasco as it has become seemed all so exciting at the time……and might have worked in a sporting vacuum……but, in the most contested footballing market (Sydney) in the most contested national football market in the world…….all it did was stuff things up.
btw – John Howard or not => it’ll be a tough job to do it seemlessly. The underlying structures have to fall into place. How many people with invites to special events will be willing to give up their ‘self-importance’ for the good of the game? This sort of thing held soccer back for so long. AFL wise, it took some time to not just function and iron out issues – but, to gain trust and respect.
I guess in the NRL world – - in the main, people are wanting it rather than fearing the imposition. Good luck, having any sport in this country run more efficiently is a good thing.
October 9th 2009 @ 2:24am
adrien66 said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:24am | Report comment
But actually the article deals with Rugby League, and it’s in the Rugby League category of the website isn’t it?
So you can talk about your AFL in the AFL category, i’m sure you will find a lot of friends which think (like you) that AFL is better than NRL. I dislike your comments because they are almost all the time negative comments, sometimes full of bad faith.
October 9th 2009 @ 2:24am
adrien66 said | October 9th 2009 @ 2:24am | Report comment
i was talking about Redb.
October 8th 2009 @ 9:45am
The Link said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
I doubt whether Howard will be involved, it seems to be more a curcuit breaker by Searle to get everyone on board.
The game is screaming out for this, should it get up then finally after 15 years RL can its house in order and focus on the future.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:09am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
John Howard could in the end be very divisive, his every decision’s motive will be questioned.
Redb
October 8th 2009 @ 10:34am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:34am | Report comment
John Howard is brought in, not to lead it, but to bring a profile to the board. Not to mention his skills in diplomacy will help steer the ship down the course it should be.
I can’t see how he would be divisive, considering the mess the Liberals are in since he left office, but while he was in office, he had them all swimming in the same direction.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:42am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:42am | Report comment
DOW,
Politicial commentary aside.
The issue is that Howard’s profile will lead people to think he makes all the decisions.
There is baggage associated with labour v liberal voter bias.
Sydney clubs – only one need club another than of course the Dragons to be relocated/merged/die and Howard will be blamed.
Go for a low profile Chairman with business gravitas.
Redb
October 8th 2009 @ 10:50am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Have you seen the other names being bandied about to be on that board, people like Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond and Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page? I can’t see them taking a step backwards, and have the business nous to make good decisions. Howard would just end up a talking head, who can help assist massaging all the ego’s in the room.
Also, you do realise that David Gallop will still be chairman of the board, not Howard who will just be a member. As for low profile chairman, that will come down the track. But to start with high profile ones are required to give the board legitimacy immediately. Something that has been lacking in the NRL for quite a while.
You are starting to sound scared RedB!
October 8th 2009 @ 10:51am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
yes that’s what it is. Think i need therapy
Gallop remains CEO I thought not Chairman.
“Howard was sounded out recently by Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle to become the inaugural chairman of an independent commission to run the sport.”
October 8th 2009 @ 9:48am
AndyRoo said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
They do need someone seen as impartial. Howard is a dragons fan but I think most people feel he wouldn’t stoop to favoring them…. plus the Dragons are one of the strongest teams in the comp and don’t need any preferential treatment.
October 8th 2009 @ 9:48am
Paul J said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
This is the best thing that could happen for Rugby League. A pivotal point in the history of the game. Apparently the NRL will model their independent commission on the existing NFL & AFL ones. Whatever they end up with it will be light years ahead on what the NRL has now.
Ratings, crowds, memberships up. No more News Ltd conflict of interest. A very promising future for League fans.
October 8th 2009 @ 9:56am
Paul J said | October 8th 2009 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Plus the NRL should have an easier time with this transition than the AFL did as the AFL did it first (hats off to the AFL). The NRL can look at the mistakes and hurdles the AFL & NFL went through and be better prepared.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:05am
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Paul J,
One of the constant challenges is managing the poorer clubs particularly with little on field success and providing financial support to those clubs which often means a ‘Robin Hood’ approach.
The Melb Storm for example will require a substantial prop up over the journey. Next year may not be a big problem, but when success subsides and it will, the Sydney clubs will be asked to help Melbourne out.
Redb
October 8th 2009 @ 12:37pm
oikee said | October 8th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Hey Redb, a little birdy told me the Victorian government is going to buy the Storm. HeHe, so you will be paying for any loses.
October 8th 2009 @ 12:44pm
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
That’s Ok Okiee I would have moved to the Sunshine State by then and my taxes will going into the funding of the new Gold Coast stadium for the AFL. Come to think of it so will yours.
cheers
October 8th 2009 @ 12:57pm
AndyRoo said | October 8th 2009 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
I think there going to need more $$$. Carpark is too small, the other day I went past and it was near full becasue of a kids football carnival.
Add another 10-15k people for an AFL game and it will be mayhem.
Hurry up Redb before Oikee and I will need have to pay $20 a pop to cross the gateway bridge. We need more taxpayers to spread the burden.
October 8th 2009 @ 1:01pm
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
think further north, I wont be cohorting with you southeners.
eh?
October 8th 2009 @ 1:02pm
AndyRoo said | October 8th 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
Oh yeh I forgot you were a huge Fury fan
October 8th 2009 @ 1:11pm
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
Cazaly brother.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:01am
AndyRoo said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:01am | Report comment
No shame in taking up the AFL’s idea, it was a good one
Do whatever is best for rugby league, if that means we also copy their auskick idea to spread touch footy then i’m all for it.
October 8th 2009 @ 12:39pm
oikee said | October 8th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Agree, the thing i like about league is that they are willing to have a go at new ideas, even if we have to borro them from AFL.
October 8th 2009 @ 12:44pm
Redb said | October 8th 2009 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
Smart move.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:09am
Midfielder said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Laine
I fear you have like so many RL writers underestimated the real worth of RL …. in the right hands … it could get a media deal others could only dream of.
To explain as I have often said the population of regional NSW & QLD is almost a million more than the combined population of SA / WA / NT / & TASSIE …. Further I have read a number of times the number of NSW & QLD folk in NT … mean it could be a RL territory .. however lets no argue as it’s only small anyway….
But RL is very popular in PNG , most in NZ have a NRL team, and the NRL is quite popular in Fiji. If you add the combined population of PNG / NZ / Island Nations … it’s about 11.5 million people… of which 6.25 million live in PNG… 4.2 in NZ & 800K in Fiji…
If RL take the game to Perth … where they have a track record… and friend in Perth Glory who are only happy to share ground and common costs … then a Perth team again given the number of NSW & QLDers there again could rate … plus the great Ch 9 marketing of the Storm (read the Richard Hindes bit in the smh very funny but true in that the CH 9 media by being so Sydney Bias in the GF and lead up to the GF they actually had Melbourne cheering for the storm)
So lets see ….
State ……………Pop……………..Regional NSW & QLD
QLD …………..4,279,411 …….2,421,817
NSW…………..6,967,200………2,630,826
ACT……… 344, 200…………344,200
VIC…………….5,927,600
TAS…………… 498,200
SA …………..1,601,800
WA …………..2,163,200
NT………… 219,900
Total………….. 22,001,511….. 5,396,843
TAS…………… 498,200
SA …………..1,601,800
WA …………..2,163,200
NT………… 219,900
Total …………4, 483, 100
Meaning regional NSW & QLD has more people than TAS / SA / WA / & NT…
The combined population of NSW / ACT / QLD is 11, 590, 811, and RL rating territory … add PNG 6.25, plus NZ 4.2 plus 1 million over Fiji, Tonga, Soma,
In broad terms almost 23 million … with only NZ & other island nations not having RL as their first spot .. but number 2 in most countries… Plus notional TV audiences in the Southern states and you would assume growth… This does not count the pay TV market in the UK where RL has a market … when added to the 23 million above … HMMMmmmm interesting indeed…
Throw in the State of Orgin & an annual Six nations tournament …. In the right hands this could bring a pretty penny indeed.
I understand that the buying power of the good folk of PNG other island nations and NZ may not be the same as in Australia … but they all buy soap and milk … and Clive Palmer has offered to fund a team playing out of PNG… However the buying power of England would be more than Australia ….
If RL is thinking this way the next round of media deals will be very interesting …. very interesting indeed…
October 8th 2009 @ 12:45pm
oikee said | October 8th 2009 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
Midfeilder, best post i have ever read, well thought out and shows good future pattern, i have always said league and soccer should just compliment each other by joining together, same applies to PNG, if they include a league team their, they should also include a soccer football team. Its common sense and will help PNG grow faster. Good post. I would even go as far as having a rugby team also, why not? Beleive it or not, i think PNG would be better suited to rugby.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:13am
Col the Bear said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
and if it wasn’t for the events of 95-97 I and many others would have been enjoying our club in the top grade instead of sitting on the sideline for the past 10 seasons…
If the IC gets up and running for the 2010 season(and it looks almost certain it will) then the first job should be to reinstate the Bears on the CC .. so the North Shore and the Central Coast can finally have a team to call their own once again.. and fill that stadium that hasn’t been utilised properly since it was constructed…it’s a down right shame that this hasn’t happened sooner..
October 8th 2009 @ 10:16am
AndyRoo said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:16am | Report comment
I would say Central Coast have a much higher chance of getting up now. They wouldn’t require an ongoing subsidy which would appeal to the Sydney clubs.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:43am
Jay said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:43am | Report comment
Very true and also shot in the arm will be the fact that many Bears supporters have left NRL completely and now follow the Swans. If we can revert some of these fans, it will be a big blow for the AFL!
October 8th 2009 @ 10:46am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
All the old bear supporters I know follow Souths these days. Whether they would change back to the Bears now I am not sure. Really the Bears if they come back in, should be ensuring they engage the local community as that is where their real supporter base will come from.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:53am
AndyRoo said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
I am a little worried about the Mariners though. I want that club to be ok but they have found it hard getting enough sponsorship money as it is and they will definitely be the little brother once/if the Bears get in.
I have no doubt that the CC is a rugby league town and they will get good crowds and a lot of media attention.
It may be a case of the Bears will come in and grow the total pie though hopefully. More people talking about the Bears would create more demand for localised sports news which would assist the Mariners. It also means the Stadium will stay well maintained and facilities will improve. Hopefully the lag time and the fact the Mariners would have had 6 or 7 seasons in the league before the Bears come in and have been able to start their youth academy means they will have their niche as the summer tenants.
The Hunter Mariners 1 season in the Super league was pretty good for the Breakers so hope it’s the same effect.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:17am
Midfielder said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Col
Hope you can see from my analysis above where the new teams have to go… Perth is a must as is a second Brisbane team… them Wellington & PNG .. me I would launch them all at one time …. or within a year of each other…
October 8th 2009 @ 10:29am
Col the Bear said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:29am | Report comment
As I mentioned yesterday I Think our old mate “Buzz” let everyone know where the next 2 teams are going.. CC and SQld..
The CC is an issue which won’t go away..oh yes they thought it would of, but it didn’t.. I thought Perth as well for a long time as you know MF..but it now looks like they are not ready, pulling their grades out of the NSW competitions, except SG Ball.They look like they have taken a step back to get everything right.. they played in the Jim Beam cup for a couple of eyars to get a feel of it.. and now they will be better prepared for the future..
The truth is,The CCBears are ready to go.. they are the Bid with the major sponsor, the stadium, the juniors,we have proven our worth, and now it’s time to finally put us back in..could this also mean the Bears could be back before 2013 now.??
as we have said (with referance to our business plan)within 2 seasons of getting reinstated we will be making a profit..Gold Coast are doing it and the Central Coast will be doing it as well..
The CC is a safe bet.. and thats a big plus in any new franchises favour..
October 8th 2009 @ 10:31am
Dogs Of War said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Just wait. Cronulla will struggle to see out next season. Then it’s either the Bear readmitted earlier than expected, or the Sharks taking up one of the relocation options like Sunshine Coast or Logan.
October 8th 2009 @ 10:33am
Midfielder said | October 8th 2009 @ 10:33am | Report comment
Col
We will never agree … based on my previous post … what does a CC team do for TV ratings … Like a 23 million market is huge
October 8th 2009 @ 2:25pm
oikee said | October 8th 2009 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
I think their is more to the story than Cronulla just playing games in Aderlaide, same with Sth Sydney moving games to Perth, not that i think souths are moving, but i think Perth is being primed for a team. They really are not far off, if they got some big time backers the ball would roll, expect news to come out with-in 2 years for a team from Perth.
As i mentioned, nobody wants to get left behind, the NRL is being sold to Cable t/v around the world, everyone wants a peice of the action for their state, or country. (wellington)