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.”
Col the Bear
Guest
an army that is growing by the day..by the looks of the membership signing up on line for the CC Bears..and ordering CC Bears merchandise.. and now to start producing the CC Bears bid jerseys on a grand scale..as I said 2010 is going to be an exciting year...
Midfielder
Guest
Col Lets not go down the business path... we both want what is best for RL ... we see two different methods / models nothing wrong with that .. but as I said I do admire your perseverance and for that matter I guess the small army of Bears that "keep on keeping on" ..
Col the Bear
Guest
a tonic water :-) as i have always said; the Bears are always in with a shot, as long as no one is playing out of Gosford full time.. and as we have 11 years still to go on the playing rights to the stadium.. I'm confident it'll be the CC Bears... plus they're a good team now pushing for the Bears, and who are more determined then ever to get us back in..and these are people who have always been Bears supporters since they were kids and now hold pretty handy positions in society.. Maybe it's time for everyone to get on the CCBears bandwagon.. you're all more then welcome...and I really don't care much of reports in the press,water of a ducks.no one in the bid team does.. because truthfully, the Mighty Bears are on a roll.. there was a time once when I worried about such things, but as I said 10 years at this.. you learn a bit about how it works..and lets face it the Bears bid is pretty hard to knock back from any business point of view..
Midfielder
Guest
Col Whatever happens I have to admire your perseverance ... if the CC Bears ever do get in despite our discussions over the last 12 months we must meet up and I will buy you a beer...
Col the Bear
Guest
and also another Name to throw in what about Margaret Cuneen the QC who helped in many major cases recently. A woman of great credibility..
Col the Bear
Guest
I' like to think that David Hill might be one of the appointed people on the IC.. he has proven his credentials over the years.. he is a Mr fixit man.. bought in to sort the railways out for the Olympics.. which he did..Author.. great documentary on him the other night with the Fairburn farm where he and his brothers were in their youth..on the international council to help bring the Elgin marbles back to greece from the british Museum.. former head of the ABC.. and the list goes on and on..also dabbled in federal politics when he went for the seat of Hughes.. he is a Labor man as opposed to the last choice by Michael Searle..and in this climate that could be the differance..it might be worth thinking about..he does get things done...
Crosscoder
Guest
Col the Bear Wouldn't panic ole son. Yeah the Swans have been active ,but not only on the Central Coast,but in other Sydney areas.It has been going on for some time now.Their Tv ratings have dropped,and the crowds and sponsorship likewise,so they need to show their presence,or go further down the tube. The Storm also visit hospitals and get into the communtiy in Vic,its the done thing these days.
Col the Bear
Guest
just wanted to put this in, probably not the right article.. But, the CRL have backdown on using the name Crusaders after they rushed it through maybe to try and take the limelight off the CCBears launch a couple of weeks ago.. Afraid that one backfired.. next!! the people of the CC gave their ideas they voted wholeheartedly for their rep Juniors to be called the CC Cubs.. but similar to The roosters, I don't think these organisations will go with what the people / fans actually want...
Mushi
Guest
A delay is, in my mind positive, rather have a well thought out structure and plan than one rushed in as fast as possible to placate the masses.
jus de couchon
Guest
A lack of ambition has never been an issue with the NRL.Lack of a realistic business plan coupled with an unacheivable long term stategy has , from past expansionist driven delusions , been a disaster for League. The game is run by Idiots.
Billo
Guest
The fact that the NRL doesn't have the resources to develop a new team in Perth, which would enter the NRL alongside the Central Coast in 2013, says a lot about the lousy business organization that the NRL represents. Whether it will be any better with a new commission I doubt, for as long as Colin Love is the chairman and Gallop is the CEO. The NRL should be in Perth now, ensuring that the city will be prepared for its entry into the competition in three years' time. A lack of ambition, combined with a lack of business sense and conflicts of interest, are the biggest threats to the NRL.
Springs
Guest
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.
Springs
Guest
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.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
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.
oikee
Guest
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". :(
oikee
Guest
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.
Col the Bear
Guest
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.....
Paul J
Guest
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?
Col the Bear
Guest
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..??
Col the Bear
Guest
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...