NRL commission unlikely before end of year
By Todd Balym, 2 Dec 2009 Todd Balym is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Australian Rugby league, David Gallop, NRL, Rugby League, Todd Greenberg
The NRL will develop a core set of values for the game after club bosses were told rugby league’s new independent commission is progressing but still unlikely to be finalised before the end of the year.
While it had been speculated News Limited and the Australian Rugby League could hand ownership of the game back to one governing body by the end of 2009, it is unlikely to happen so quickly.
Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle, the man charged with uniting the game under one body, told the conference it could be “months” until the negotiations are completed.
“The parties are certainly trying to support the process,” said Searle.
“There isn’t a firm time-line on it and people may need to be a bit more patient but there are some good signs for what can be achieved in the months ahead.
“(The commission) will hopefully lead to a central funding model and a central decision making process that involves highly skilled and independent people.
“There are still a lot of things to work through and everyone seems to be looking for a way to do so.”
The establishment of the new commission was one of many discussion points at a meeting of the NRL board, club CEOs and chairmen in Sydney on Tuesday.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said there was “unanimous” support against expansion as rugby league digs in its heels in preparation for an assault on western Sydney by the AFL.
Along with a new commission, the game recognises it needs to do more to improve its brand after arguably the worst year on record for player behaviour yet one of the best for fan support.
Among the list of initiatives discussed was a “core set of values” for the game, aside from the individual culture established among NRL clubs.
Restoring the game’s battered off-field image is a key focus of the NRL as they approach another crucial time in the history of the sport.
If the NRL cannot present a unified body and wholesome image when television rights are sold in 2013, then it would affect their chances of maximising revenue in an increasingly competitive sports market.
Gallop said getting the most bang for their buck to give back to clubs, players and juniors was the main focus and that expanding the competition would not be entertained unless it would guarantee growth in all those areas.
“You can’t do those things and invest in expansion,” said Gallop.
“And until there is a strong business case for any expansion contributing to the growth of the competition then it will not be part of our immediate plans.”
Canterbury chief executive Todd Greenberg believes rugby league is making all the right decisions and plans to fight off AFL’s advances.
“There is no doubt the independent commission is an important thing for the game but not necessarily to combat AFL,” he said.
“I’m encouraged by what I heard today and it sounds like there’s been some good progression.”
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Col the Bear said | December 2nd 2009 @ 5:12am | Report comment
Not fazed we just keep doing what we are doing.. the central Coast Bears bid is too good to ignore..rugby league changes by the day.. as we have all well seen in the past couple of weeks…
independent commission will be up and running by xmas?? now new year??
no expansion in immediate future.. well that could mean next month, or next year, but I’ll hedge my bets the CC Bears will be there by 2013…I keep going back to 2004, eaxact same reports coming out of the NRL.. then 2005 the Titans were entered..I The CCBears bid is too good to ignore, and they all know it…
Crosscoder said | December 2nd 2009 @ 6:26am | Report comment
Col the Bear
Agree.The salient point to remember the comment”immediate expansion is not on at present until it can be shown bringing in new teams will result in a bigger Tv fee etc”. The emphasis is on immediate.
A similar thing happened with the Titans,they were not backed initially,then presents a submission that was so good,refusal would have been just plain dumb.they got in and are one of the most progressive and popular clubs in the game.
To me it is sound business sense ,do not commit to expansion until the commission is in place,the numbers are crunched,the current clubs are assured of financial continuity,junior development receives more backing and the new Tv contract is negotiated based firstly on 16 teams,and potentially the value of 18 teams.
Do not ,repeat do not, let any current clubs fold.
If you don’t know what you are getting in dollars and cents,you are not going to jump into immediate expansion.
Once this is in place,the Bear’s submission provided it is sound in all aspects ,just like the Titans will leave the NRL with no other option but to bring them in.
I still maintain down the line additonal teams will bring in more revenue,another game another slot on FTA or Pay.
Be patient ,as the saying goes ….happens.
Col the Bear said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:48am | Report comment
It’s a vision statement endorsing the Bears bid..The Bears are on a roll and no one is going to stop us this time..people who arent’ a little media savvy, wouldn’t pick this up.. glad to see you did CC..
Brett McKay said | December 2nd 2009 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Col, you might recall some time ago I wrote a piece in which I wondered if the CCBs might be too ambitious for their own good, in that while their bid is almost bullet-proof, it will amount to nothing unless there is another bid somewhere just as irresistable. Expansion can only happen with two teams, to bring in the extra game, and therefore additional broadcast revenue.
So (safely) assuming you’ve locked the CCBs in for the 17th slot, who’s next in line?? Who’s best prepared to be Team 18??
Because it still seems to me the biggest road block for the Bears is not the NRL or even the braodcasters, rather it’s finding an 18th bid that’s just as strong?
M1tch said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
“Because it still seems to me the biggest road block for the Bears is not the NRL or even the braodcasters, rather it’s finding an 18th bid that’s just as strong?’
There would be bids from Perth and West Bris if the NRL announced it, remember the last time Wellington got their bid up after the NRL announced they were expanding..all the talk from current NRL people hasnt got people from those bids excited.
Brett McKay said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
but Mitch why do we need to wait for an announcement? Central Coast, Rockhampton and now PNG aren’t waiting for any announcements, they’re getting on the front foot as did the Coast. If prospective bids are waiting for an announcement, then we’ll still have 16 teams in 5 or 10 years time..
Paul J said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment
Sounds like the IC will still be up and running by March 2010.
Most RL fans love to speculate about expansion, where to go and when. We can probably blame the success of the Titans for that.
While we may not have 2 new teams by 2013 i can see the possibility of the CC Bears entering the comp to be the 17th team, just as Souths were the 15th team for a couple of seasons. Their bid may be too strong to ignore. When the NRL are cashed up after the next TV rights deal then they can look at the 18th team.
Bringing in a core set of values sounds like a great idea. An IC can help bring all the clubs in line.
It’s also great to see how clubs like the Bulldogs and the Eels have bought in new CEO who have greatly improved things.
M1tch said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:07am | Report comment
Reports though, they want to help all current clubs first and bring the salary cap up a bit before adding new teams..But 2017 is simply too far away, it must be 2013
Brett McKay said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
But Paul, there’s hardly going to much additional revenue without an extra game to broadcast, and the Bears on their own provide nothing. They’ll need someone to play the extra game, to bring in the extra cash..
Col the Bear said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:16am | Report comment
I think it’s pretty clear the 18th team will be ipswich(SQld) they could play at QE2 stadium until their stadium is built at Ipswich..QE2 is a ready made stadium and used for the 82 commonwealth games.. so a stadium isn’t an issue for them…
oikee said | December 2nd 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Arh Col, have you seen QE11 stadium lately, ? its nearly on the ground. Nothing left but long grass and spiders, i think a second team could play out of Suncorp, rugby league every week-end sounds better to me. I thought it might be a bad idea, but having 2 teams play out of suncorp probably would be good.
Corey said | December 2nd 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
QEII is pretty bad at the moment, but if Brisbane wins the bid for the international athletics comp. then they will quickly rebuild it. But Ipswich has a couple of places in mind already for a stadium, one is just around the corner from me. But I believe the 18th team should be either Central QLD, Perth or PNG, they have more money backing them. Also, Ipswich people go out and support the Broncos to be honest, so another team in SEQ would drag down the crowd attendance of the Broncos, which I hope never happens.
Springs said | December 2nd 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
I would say the Broncos will stil have good crowds, Ipswich won’t. Brisbane vs Ipswich would be a huge game and a sellout at Suncorp, but then so was Brisbane vs Crushers.
Col the Bear said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
and as paul j said.. you could play as a 17th team comp until the 18th team comes in.. as happened when Souths come in..I can’t see the NRL or the IC loosing an opportunity of having companies as big as Mortgage House alienated from the game again.. would that be a good business move..??
Paul J said | December 2nd 2009 @ 8:41am | Report comment
Brett
I agree with you that it makes more sense to bring in 2 teams for that extra game to broadcast. David Gallop has said (although he’s generally so coy about everything who knows) that they won’t bring in 2 new teams until it can be proven that 1 extra game will be worth more at the negotiating table with the networks.
He’s said that serious negotiating won’t begin until early 2011 and that they’ll re-evaluate expansion then. So maybe 2 teams in 2013 or with the next TV deal in 2017.
What i was suggesting is that if the public opinion becomes overwhelming in regards to the CC Bears the NRL may be forced to reconsider how long they can delay bringing them in. It would mean a bye for all teams by having 17 teams but teams get byes now with 16 teams because of SOO anyway.
I guess the question is would the gate receipts and merchandise make it worth bringing in the CC Bears early? And would the 8 TV games get better ratings with a CC Bears team in the comp?
Springs said | December 2nd 2009 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
The Central Coast will get better ratings. And I wish Gallop would stop running the game according to the media. He basically makes every decision on the back of what the TV or newspapers want him to do. One extra game will mean another sunday game. It will either be delayed at 6 or viewer’s choice at 2. But the crowds will be better than MNF, that is assured. And if they stopped having Canberra play on Sunday crowds will be even bigger.
Col the Bear said | December 2nd 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
and the Sydney Swans are on the CC this week getting into the community, and having their camp set up, also visiting into the hospitals.. but thats OK.. the NRL say they’re not worried. about the AFL anymore…..
oikee said | December 2nd 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Yes its all AFL, “we’re doomed, doomed i tell ya”…
Col, they have been doing this for years, all of a sudden it matters.? We need to get our own house in order. We have nothing in the bank, Gallop said the 10 million for a relocated team is now spent. What does that tell ya, ? “we’re doomed”.