Finally, rugby league looks set to fully embrace professionalism. Fifteen years after News Limited did their best deliver a new era for the sport, the media giant will now complete the job with its exit from the game.
Rugby league is going where it has never gone before, with Tuesday’s ratification of the long-awaited independent commission act a broom sweeping away the bureaucracy which has dragged the game down.
One body will now run rugby league – free of `jobs for the boys’ and conflicts of interest.
Until now it was hard to see just who was running the game.
One organisation – the ARL – was running the cash cow that was State of Origin football, another the bread and butter of the NRL competition.
News Limited shared control of the game with the ARL, while also owning one of its clubs – Melbourne.
The media giant – with seats on the NRL – also played a part in approving television rights deals, while also holding a stake in one of the companies bidding for the rights.
Such scenarios will no longer exist, with eight commissioners to be elected by the ARL and News Limited.
To ensure independence, commissioners will not be able to have been involved in any official capacity with either News Limited or rugby league in the past three years.
NRL chief executive David Gallop will maintain his position as the boss of the game, and will answer to the eight commissioners.
His first priority will be to negotiate a television package which should pour unprecedented amounts of money into the game, with reports of a $1 billion deal being in the offing.
But the establishment of the independent commission means no longer will broadcast right be the only source of big money.
The commissioners, with names such as former Qantas boss Geoff Dixon and radio king Alan Jones mentioned as possible candidates – will also be entrusted with getting the high-end of town involved in the game.
Whether they are successful in getting more money remains to be seen, but either way, rugby league is certainly headed for brighter days.
skull
Guest
Exactly. The game was going gang busters back in the late 80's early 90's prior to News Ltd failed acquisition. News Ltd stopped that momentum then and as far as I'm concerned with Gallop still running the show it will be some time before we are rid of these cockroaches.
bilbo
Guest
Their crowds arent so bad - they often average reasonably well - and must be kept in the game with the links to the big end of town. They also have had considerable on field success in recent years, which is also a reason to avoid kicking them out.
Gary Magpie
Roar Guru
Yes - very true. And I would note the ridiculous tenures of both the NSWRL and QRL hierarchy. People may have hated the situation in 96, 98 or 2010, but that is not necessarily because of the structure - just the entrenched leadership. This IC model is not a good model due to the power of the NRL Club vote (that can remove a commissioner). This means that even a good leader among the commissioners, looking out for the best interests of the game, can be removed by club executives who are paid to look after the interests of their clubs. It's a bit like the PM - just because you vote for Kevin, doesn't mean he gets to keep the job - that's not the Westminster model. Similarly, the IC model doesn't protect commissioners against the objectives of the clubs.
Fez's are cool
Guest
Thats a very pro - News Ltd article. I could easily write one about how News Ltd held the game back for 20 years and destroyed a lot of wealth and good work in the 90s
Jeff
Guest
One bit of shattering news. "David Gallop still the leader". No No No!!!
NF
Guest
About time now the IC can look to the future with forward thinking of the following:expanison,membership,grassroots,international league, and many more issues. Exciting times ahead.
Mark Young
Guest
Hurrah! Wonderful news
kovana
Guest
Would surprise most people here. But League is on FTA in Samoa.. The NRL matches on the Weekend, the SOO and the 4 nations this year.. Albeit all delayed.. But still FTA.
beowulf
Guest
Having VERY good intel on the CC Bears, I can assure you those at the very top are now looking favourably at expansion - wasn't the case 1 year ago. Everyone can thank Greg Florimo and his bid team for this.
beowulf
Guest
I agree - whilst ever they're financially secure, no problem. I hope no clubs get culled like what happened to North Sydney. The Super League scar won't be healed till they return. Bring back the Bears and all is well with the world!
Paul J
Guest
Since its inception rugby league has been run by self interested committees. Now for the first time it gets an independent commission. Monumental improvement. It’s a whole new ball game now.
Dan
Guest
So Steve Jancetic this is a wateshed day? Sure there wasn't one body running State of Origin and the club competition before the super league war? Sure that body didn't have a corporate committee of business and rugby league people on it? Think you find the NSWRL did. Was back in 1983 when Humphreys was dumped after the Four Corners show. No structure automatically delivers good leadership. Good leadership can work through any structure. League's problem has never been about structure. That is just an excuse for an absence of quality leaders.
Territory Terry
Guest
I would hope that the IC is also about changing the public perception that Rugby League administrators make laughable decisions devoid of common sense. Not giving a licence to a team that has a stadium, millions of dollars in sponsorship, a massive junior base, thousands of financial members and a famous brand that is associated with a foundation club in favour of bids that have nothing but promises would be a decision just as inept as those damaging decisions in recent history. I don't know what's being said behind closed doors at the NRL but I feel very confident that the Central Coast Bears will be given a licence for 2013 mid next year.
captain nemo
Roar Guru
As the most TV friendly sport around, there are massive opportunities. I think it will dominate the Australian domestic sporting landscape within 5 years or so, will maintain its position as the 2nd biggest sport in NZ and push rugby in the Pacific islands with better coverage into these countries. Well done rugby League, finally standing up to those silly people kicking sand in its face for the last 10 years. League as the future regional comp leader will compliment our desire for global sports with the Wallabies and Socceroos. Now, if only we could sort out the Australian Cricket team
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
I was reading some articles yesterday for research my article on code expansion, and was surprised that the drive for expansion seems to be coming from the club executives more than it is the NRL. If thats the case, Id expect to see Perth before any more NSW or QLD teams.
mushi
Guest
And I just used deliver 3 times in a very sloppy writing effort
mushi
Guest
I never get the relocate the roosters argument. Sure I’m a roosters fan, but I would remain so even if they were relocated as I didn’t grow up in Sydney so it doesn’t worry me where they play. They stand on their own two feet and deliver Eastern suburbs money to league. Why deliberately alienate one of the wealthiest regions in the entire country? Yes they have horrible crowds but they deliver a TV following which just means they deliver more to the league wide pie rather than their own coffers.
GC Bulletin
Guest
I think it will be great for junior development, which has previously been done by the ARL and lead to red tape between NRL clubs and ARL development activities. But yes don't think existing clubs should have the final say on expansion, they will always try to protect their own patch.
Paul J
Guest
This is a comment from a punter on one of the rugby league sites this morning... "Just heard John Chalk interviewed and he said News LTD will only have first and last rights until 2015, meaning the next TV deal only." That's excellent news if true.
beowulf
Guest
As long as the Clubs are kept out of strategic decisions, such as culling/adding teams, its a good thing. Eventually there may be rationalisation (not my preferred option) - Cronulla, Roosters (or Souths) and even Manly may have to relocate or disappear in the next 20 years. Like St Melbourne and Fizroy in AFL, perhaps relocations to non-League heartlands like Perth, Adelaide, NZ2....though this NRL administration weren't fans - who knows the IC may think different. New teams must be added within 10 years - Central Coast, Perth, SEQ2, CQ and NZ2. In 20 years, perhaps PNG. Potentially a 22 team comp in 20 years with 1 full round, home and away over 2 years. If the game isn't growing, in real terms its going backward as competitors march ahead. Hopefully the IC will produce a public vision statement, advising a timetable for expansion with anticipated dates and locations.