Rugby league in Australia is edging closer to having an independent commission, but a final date for its implementation remains as hazy as ever.
Representatives from both the NSW and Queensland Rugby League boards met in Sydney on Monday to review amendments to the constitution that will eventually become the basis for the independent commission.
But ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said the boards would not rush into any concrete decisions on the commission, which are expected to be the biggest administrative change to rugby league since the formation of NRL was formed in 1998.
“It was a constructive meeting, we’re working through the constitution,” Carr told AAP.
“What we considered this morning in a 40 page document was the amendments from News Limited and those amendments were around making sure the words clearly clarified these negotiations.
“It’s working through to make sure that document is factually correct and had the words of the collective negotiation, so that’s what we continued to do (on Monday).”
Claims that the NSWRL was eager to push the QRL into making a decision during the Monday meeting was dismissed by Carr.
“Those (reports) were completely off the mark,” Carr said.
“There were never going to be any fireworks … It was very amicable, it was always going to be.”
Representatives from the two boards are expected to meet again before Christmas, with Carr adding that a final decision was not far off.
“We’ll continue to meet, we’re in a negotiation with News and the clubs about getting the constitution right and we’ll meet as many times as we need to keep making sure we get it done,” he said.
“(But) we’re not far away I wouldn’t think.”
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
sure they find it hard to take that. However the AFL Commission is almost totally independent of the clubs and has been since 1993 when it was founded. The clubs can only over-rule the commission with a 75% vote. Even if the Victorian clubs voted as a block they couldnt get 75% of the vote now. This is what enables the AFL to make decision that benefit the entire AFL.
Col the Bear
Guest
I assume by the amount of responses here that everyone just wants to be called when the IC is up and running..and enough of the stalling..
Col the Bear
Guest
Hey Gary Magpie if John Grant does get on you guys could have an ally in your quest for a licence at souths logan, didn't he play for Souths Brisbane.. :-)
Paul J
Guest
League people find it hard to take when the AFL, run by a commission, can pour tens of millions of dollars into trying to make its ventures on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney a success, but league's financial fortunes have the potential to turn around quickly. The commission can help make that happen. It will give the game a dramatic makeover for potential sponsors, and serious negotiations regarding the next free-to-air and pay television deals are just around the corner. Former ARL chief executive and AOC official John Quayle, former Dragons captain Mark Coyne and 1972 World Cup forward John Grant are some of those believed to have ARL backing to be on the inaugural commission. Others with support are former Qantas and Billabong chairman Gary Pemberton, former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty, racehorse owner and businessman Nick Moraitis, Westpac CEO Gail Kelly and former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh. There is a feeling that at least some of the commissioners should be young. (From the SMH).
rj
Guest
The longer this takes the less independent I think it's going to be.
lopati
Guest
Wasn't it supposed to be a done deal by September? And now QRL comes up with something completely different and they say getting closer? Getting closer to the scrapheap seems more likely.
rj
Guest
I nominate Bill Clinton for the 'Independent Commission'. He's a pants man and the players will relate to him. What ever happens, we need to have people who are as far removed from the fans as possible. Really, really big important buisness people who make lots of money and preferrably have never been to a game of rugby league.
Gary Magpie
Roar Guru
The bigger issue is the constitution. I just hope the 16 NRL Clubs haven't been given controlling interest in anything - unlike the proposal. But they won't release the negotiation until it's signed off - and that is the biggest insult to rugby league fans. Rugby league is going to be given to businessmen - rather than being controlled by elected officials. I don't think the average fan really understands this. More people need to ask the hard questions - who will be in control under the IC? The current proposal is not good news for the future of rugby league.
Jay
Guest
I'd nominate Khoder Nasser.. man that guy would get us the $1bn...
M1tch
Roar Guru
Interesting to see the names being talked about, Alan Jones and Steve Waugh have vast experience in many different areas.
warren
Guest
Lets hope this is up & going well before the 2011 starts. We have a big TV deal about to re-negotiated & the likely inclusion of 2 new clubs in the foreseeable future. The AFL has made some great strides under this structure & RL will only suffer more if they do not get this happening soon