Australian Rugby League commission chairman John Grant forecast a “significant increase” but called for patience as the game’s new administration negotiates the all-important new NRL broadcast deal.
Grant signed the documents that ushered in his independent commission and a new era – ending News Ltd’s role in running the code – at 12.03pm (AEDT) at the new $20m headquarters Rugby League Central in Sydney on Friday.
Grant was bullish but would not put a figure on the amount rugby league could get on its new five-year broadcast deal when asked in relation to the $1.25 billion achieved by the AFL last year.
“The game is in fantastic standing on the field and is the most-watched football sport in Australia,” Grant said.
“We have obvious things we need to deal with. The biggest is the broadcast rights as this will secure the funding we need for the next five years, but this will take several months so we need to be patient.
“A reasonable expectation would be a significant increase on the current deal which expires at the end of the season.”
Long-serving NRL chief executive David Gallop remains a key figure in the negotiations in his new role as commission chief executive.
Gallop confirmed talks had begun this month with current rights holder the Nine Network but warned it would be wrong to tell clubs how much to expect the salary cap to increase before a deal was completed.
Gallop also admitted last week’s Federal Court ruling where Optus were cleared of breaching copyright by showing sports online with a two-minute delay on handsets was a “great concern” because of the threat to the value of broadcast rights.
A coalition of the leading professional sporting codes has been in Canberra this week lobbying for copyright law changes to avert the threat and Gallop was hopeful it could be done quickly.
“This is an example of the technology overtaking the law and where rugby league is placed in terms of the negotiations it couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said Gallop.
“But the good news is that we got a good reception from the government. We’re hopeful it can be recognised that this is something that needs to be fixed quick.”
Grant defended the length of time it took to get the commission up and running and lauded the strength of the new board.
The other members are Gary Pemberton, the man widely credited with securing record broadcasting rights for the Sydney Olympics, Harris Farm founder and chairwoman Catherine Harris; brand strategist Ian Elliot, business heavyweights Peter Gregg and Jeremy Sutcliffe, respected indigenous educationalist Dr Chris Sarra and rugby league great Wayne Pearce.
“We recognise this has been a long time coming. It has been on the agenda for two-and-a-half years at least,” Grant said.
“We’re ready to go. But in terms of the significant outcomes, we are not just going to jump from the hip.
“We are going to try and understand the issues and ask the management team for balanced recommendations.
“When they do that, we will make decisions one way or the other.”
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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The Crowd Says (17) | Page 1 of Comments
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February 11th 2012 @ 11:48am
The Cattery said | February 11th 2012 @ 11:48am | Report comment
One of the first decisions of the Commission is to guarantee the Storm’s existence via $26.5 million of funding over the next six years.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/australian-rugby-league-commission-grants-melbourne-storm-265-million/story-e6frfgbx-1226268305286
February 11th 2012 @ 12:04pm
oikee said | February 11th 2012 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
I think you will find that money pumped into grass-roots Cattery. Host-plus have resigned with the storm after the salary cap debarkle. The Storm and the Broncos are and should be the biggest and best run clubs in Australia, both one town teams. With the commish this will happen.
The new TV deal is looking good. I can already see where John Grant is aiming to get on top of the Australian public, this commish is light-years what league had in the past. You only have to look at the way the interveiws are run to see that league is now in a new ball park. Thank goodness.
I would say grass-roots in all states would be the first point of “attack”. I dont like to use them words now. I think John also seems to think it is better to keep your enemy close, so dont expect any silly code war talk from him.
I am already impressed with this commission board. I have no more problems with rugby league (it had everything thrown at it with Gallop in Charge, and not only survived, but thrived), i can now just sit back and feel 1 foot taller and enjoy our game, knowing it is now in safe hands.
February 11th 2012 @ 3:38pm
Jaceman said | February 11th 2012 @ 3:38pm | Report comment
Funny in his first interview he said it was important that they had close games because they dont want blowouts like the AFL… Cant help themselves..Puts a lot of pressure on referees I would suggest but Bill is in charge
February 12th 2012 @ 11:35am
Crosscoder said | February 12th 2012 @ 11:35am | Report comment
When people within the code complain about blowouts Jaceman,Grant in effect is only restating those views.
Tv stations want a contest when the viewers in the main can watch the game in its entirety,not wander out mid stream,with a blowout.
It is quite in order for one code to brag about their crowds,Tv contracts,national exposure,biggest code,but should a Chairman brag about the competitive games his code has in comparison to others,that is apparently out of bounds.By virtue of the salary cap.
Unfortunately it is FACT,should he lie?.
Puts SFA pressure on referees.Hometown fans are the only ones to put pressure on refs.
February 12th 2012 @ 7:01am
Boomshanka said | February 12th 2012 @ 7:01am | Report comment
To put perspective into your argument TC, what are the “Suns” and “Giants” funding requirements over the next six years.
February 11th 2012 @ 12:18pm
Phelpsy said | February 11th 2012 @ 12:18pm | Report comment
Agree completely, grass roots is where to start – virtually none outside QLD/NSW – and that needs to grow significantly – such as having junior clubs in most towns etc – get this right – and we will know when we have a number of NRL players coming from outside QLD/NSW as the AFL does with plenty of NSWelshmen and Queendlanders playing that game. That has to be one Key Performance Indicator. I think it isn;t an either/or siuation however but an Both/And situation – as they need to get NRL on TV to the mass market – people need to know NRL exist – kids need to be talking about it – they need to see NRL on TV – and see RL played in their neighbourhood when they go for a drive etc. So TV deal is important- not the money per se that is garnered but the exposure into non-RL states.
February 11th 2012 @ 12:26pm
Bearfax said | February 11th 2012 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
Get at least what Oz Rules are getting or you’ve failed in your first test as a Commission. league has a better TV audience apparently than Oz Rules and to get anything less than what that code gets is just not good enough and will demonstrate league is becoming increasingly the poor football cousins of Oz Rules in this country with equally poor administration
February 11th 2012 @ 9:41pm
me, I like football said | February 11th 2012 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
That “better TV audience” comment should come with a huge disclaimer.
February 11th 2012 @ 1:12pm
oikee said | February 11th 2012 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
I would be happy to recieve less if it means having league shown into every state on free to air tv.
February 12th 2012 @ 7:03am
Boomshanka said | February 12th 2012 @ 7:03am | Report comment
I’ve always said “I’d pay more if I can watch rugby league at a decent time”.
Feel ripped off when I currently have to pay a subscription for 5/8th of the competition, with the remainder (such as tests, state of origin and finals) hoarded away.
February 11th 2012 @ 1:25pm
Phelpsy said | February 11th 2012 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
I don;t think you can compare the two codes Bearfax. The NRL need to look where they are now. They need to worry about what they are doing – not what the AFL are doing or getting. Sure, the NRL can look to the AFL and see what they have done – the IC is a perfect example. What else has the AFL done to make it so successful? I would use that as a template – and learn from any mistakes they may have made too. To say the NRL should get the same is to turn a blind eye to how far the NRL are behind – and the need to play catch up. Acknowledge that they are behind and need to take measures, such as accepting a lower TV deal for better coverage – this grows the game. The AFL are streaks ahead, but I think the NRL can at least catch up with a good business model and administrative structure. They have taken a good first step!
Also, to say NRL is most watch sport is a bit misleading – I think the AFL and NRL both put out results to make their selling point – but the AFL don’t go on about it in media – but do the work professionally behind closed doors with those who matter. My reckoning on all this is that people can throw in Toyata Cup figures and SoO and Internationals and Regionals etc however I would be inclined to qoting the figures that the people paying the money are interested in – that is the 5 metro. For whatever reason, and I don;t understand it either, the people throwing the money around are only interested in those figures – and if you are talking tv rights and money – well their the figures that should be quoted.
February 11th 2012 @ 9:33pm
Bearfax said | February 11th 2012 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
Excuse me while I just put cream on all these bee stings I’m receiving after my comments.
Firstly Phelpsy, the point is I dont diagree with you. In fact what you are saying is exactly my point. League, despite its fine TV audience is way behind Oz Rules in professionalism, thanks to years of Super Debacle and the Gallop Gollywobbles. And I dont think what the League is apparently doing now, in paying a fortune for their new lodgings that is only leased not owned and therefore lost future money, is a very sensible idea either, do you?
I personally dont think League will get what Oz Rules got for the media deal (and dont even make the slightest suggestion please that a billion dollars plus is some sort of side issue) because unlike the well run Oz Rules admin, RL continues to blunder on. Maybe this new administration will succeed…as a League supporter I dearly hope so. But I, like many I know, am fast losing patience and interest in League and switching over the Union, and the main reason….because League does not operate with sufficient professionalism.
If they had half a brain for example, they would cut ground cost entry substantially or at least allow U15s in free, cut their promotional supporter gear costs by half, get stations like FOX SPORTS to give RL news more than ttwo or three minutes while Oz Rules can go as long as 10-15 minutes, have their own TV station like Oz Rules and start negotiating with players and teams for a more equitable system of player allotment like Oz Rules have (the Draft). Know what you’re going to say….its illegal under the Restriction of Trade Sect 47 and League lost a court case over it. Then why has Oz Rules managed to convince its participants not to oppose it…better management.
February 11th 2012 @ 1:36pm
Matt S said | February 11th 2012 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
Funny Rebecca Wilson whinging that there are not enough ex players on the commission board despite years of swing league is run by an old boys club. You can’t win with here venom as she already undermines the commission. Get ready for personal attacks. I thought an independent commission was that, independent and a fresh look from the outside by a broad spectrum of people not just ex players. Two ex players is well-balanced on the commission.
February 11th 2012 @ 8:06pm
turbodewd said | February 11th 2012 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
What makes a rugby league player any more qualified to be on a board?! Crazy logic. If anything, they are less qualified. Prowess at tackling doesnt equal prowess in business, marketing or finance.
February 12th 2012 @ 7:53am
Bearfax said | February 12th 2012 @ 7:53am | Report comment
I would suggest smart ex players would be better aware of issues of player safety, what stresses are placed on players with rule changes, what to look for with player misdemeanours, such as gambling issues, alcohol, bad behaviour, what may assist in avoiding these issues, player education for future survival after their player days are over, player compensation, family support, player/supporter relationships and contacts, player privacy issues, player/club contract arrangements etc. I dont think a non league adminstrator would be too good at knowing those more intimate player issues, do you?
February 11th 2012 @ 8:37pm
turbodewd said | February 11th 2012 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
The ARLC should unbundle SOO, tests and the GF and auction these to the highest bidder. Also, if Channel 9 dont show Storm games live into Melb then these too should be unbundled and auctioned off.
February 11th 2012 @ 10:08pm
Todd Slater said | February 11th 2012 @ 10:08pm | Report comment
The broadcast deal will be interesting from all sorts of angles. I do think one of the key selling points from both sides is market penetration. I would love to see non league states get better to good coverage of games via better time slots on free to air. Perth & regional W.A would be a beauty. Taking the game for instance into all the mining communities in the Pilbara region, the time difference allows for the main Sunday games to be shown at 2 pm. I hope one of the stipulations from the ARL commission is that the game must have national coverage in guaranteed time slots, every week, in all states. Take the game to the people everywhere at decent time slots, also national radio coverage, via abc radio or abc digital, streamed on the web at the same time. These are all achievable aims.
I believe they should offer all four days of the weekly round up for auction along with representative fixtures, both here & overseas to the highest & best bid teams. Look how well SBS does with the Ashes cricket in England for example. It would be great to have the game on multi free to air channels. I’m sure the broadcasters would have very healthy advertising revenue as well. John Grant said as much yesterday by saying that the closeness of the games/rounds/competition all made for a better selling point, as opposed to the AFL which still has at least one to two blowout games per round.