My oh my, how the AFL must be rubbing their hands together at the ineptitude of the current NRL TV rights deal. Fancy allowing the TV networks to choose when the top three games each week will be played.
At a time when the NRL should be doing everything to attract revenue and build match-day attendances to prove its dominance on the east coast of Australia, the game is powerless to dictate when and where their games should be played.
What an ideal start to the season it would’ve been to have the Tigers vs Bulldogs kick off the first Sunday game of 2011 in front of 40,000+ fans at ANZ Stadium.
Instead, due to Fox Sports having the rights to the third choice game, it was played on a Monday night in front of 26,000 whilst the first free-to-air Sunday match in 2011 was between the Knights and Panthers in front of only 12,000 people.
The poor old Sharks would have budgeted for an attendance close to 20,000 for their local derby match against the Dragons next weekend, which should be played on a Sunday afternoon.
But no, our friends at Fox Sports have the rights to the third-best game of the week and are playing it on a Monday night.
Similar to the poor old Rabbitohs who have just discovered their round six fixture against the Dragons (a game worthy of 20-25,000+) will be played on a Monday night in front of an attendance more than likely under 15,000. (the Monday night match between the Rabbits and Roosters three years ago attracted 10,000 – miserable).
Monday night football is draining the game of much-needed revenue including corporate hospitality sales (who drinks on a Monday night?), ticket sales which drives hospitality and merchandise sales and so on.
The AFL have far and away the best administration in the game and it is no coincidence that they have stayed well away from Monday night football. If it worked you can bet your dollars they would have implemented it years ago.
Grow some balls NRL and ensure that you dictate when and where your games are played in the next TV rights deal.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
According to Shane Richardson,the Tv contract negotiated for the 6year period ending 2012,did not have MNF as part of the deal.The Pay TV station pushed for it,the NRL agreed and the result an outstanding Tv success.Therefore Fox got a golden nugget for the price of a hello sailor. The next Tv deal has to pay for the privilege big time and the clubs compensated accordingly .On that basis neither the clubs or fans should complain.And with expansion I would have a Sunday twilight game on Fox,which would also rate its ...off. The argument that Fox paid the right price for the NRL,is shown to be a charade, in view of the Richardson revelations.It gave the medium a top rating show on a monday time slot,the NRL received good exposure but received little in compensation,almost a charitable gesture.
Parkridge Panther
Guest
Agree with you the rookie. I would think that people are warming to MNF 26,000 attested to that.
Parkridge Panther
Guest
It appears that yet again the CEO's of NRL clubs have no real understanding of the real beneifts to the code of MNF. They want the tv execs to pay top dollar for our product but then whale about poor crowds on Monday nights. First, when given a challenge the initial reaction, from CEO'S is to bury their heads and call for massive compensation, And what about the massive exposure that the clubs get on MNF. 464,000 People watched the first game of the season. Wouldn't the AFL like thoie figures. The clubs need to do more marketing of MNF games. What about those 464,000 fans who have voted by watching the games on Monday nights. It works in the USA (albeit in a market 15 times larger). Monday night footy needs to stay. What needs to change is the ability for the NRL to nominate the matches to be played.
chris
Guest
I could never understand saturday afternoon games as alot of adults are playing amatuer Rugby League/Rugby Union so the they can not go the grounds or watch there team at home or in the pub as they are playing it themselves.
JamesP
Guest
The Latest from the NRL: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/monday-night-football-set-for-scrapheap/story-e6frexnr-1226025069285
Boomshanka
Guest
It's pretty much the same for the Storm and Warriors fans.
Off the bench
Roar Rookie
Not blaming Foxsports Adrian, I'm blaming the NRL for allowing their game to be dictated and pillaged by the TV networks. Fox Sports do a great job of broadcasting live games but they should not be allowed to choose games that should be played on Sunday afternoons to play on Monday nights. Have a look at the attendance records over the past 10 years and Sunday games are clearly ahead of any other time slot.
Off the bench
Roar Rookie
Check your facts Rookie - The weather was fine for that match. Regardless of where the Rabbits or Roosters are placed in the competition it has always attracted an attendance of at least 13 - 14k.
Off the bench
Roar Rookie
You've hit the nail on the head. there is a time and a place for MNF, such as long weekends etc. There should be no place for it week to week
Off the bench
Roar Rookie
Crowds will continue to grow on Monday nights? You must be confused. Have a look at last years attendances and come back to the table. If you cant choose the top 3 games each week from the NRL then you're obviously not well versed in the game of Rugby League.
Off the bench
Roar Rookie
Disagree. League is built for TV and rates highly whenever it is broadcast live. The NRL need to show some stick and dictate to the TV stations when and where its games will be played - both for maximum ratings and maximum attendance.
oikee
Guest
I dont weather to laugh or cry. Good exposure for Manly, it all depends on where those 6 games were, i have heard many people say Manly fans dont travel. Home games you would not had any more than 2 surely. Luck of the draw, like you said, bad luck of the draw. Hope Manly addressed this if they were not happy. I dont mind watching Manly monday nites. They have a good team. And if they play the Broncos in brisbane on a Monday nite, even better.
Whites
Guest
It is strange. I think the Dragons first 6 games last year were all Friday games.
skull
Guest
Yes a few years ago they had a few games at the end of the season. I remember one was Roosters v Broncos when Gee I think it was gave away a penalty in front after a brain expolsion to hab=nd the match to the Roosters. I think there was also about 40,000 pepole there that night
skull
Guest
The same genius who put them on TV every week last year
berra boy
Guest
if it wasn't for foxtel I would NEVER see a Raiders away game on telly (I know they are on this week but for the first time in ages)
Adrian
Guest
This article misses the point all together. Instead of blaming Fox Sports for scheduling the third best game on monday night why not blame channel nine for their choice of the top two games each week, why would anyone (except David Gyngel) want to watch the Roosters v Rabbits over the Tigers v Dogs ? It's not Fox Sports problem that nine are leaving blockbuster games off the Friday night lineup in their vain attempt to have a nsw and qld game each week. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
The NRL should be trying to replicate what the AFL gets in the Northern markets, Friday night games shown live on Main event on Fox. It's quite unbelievable that if you're in Sydney, and you have Fox - on Friday night you can watch live Friday night footy, and in Melbourne you can't!
therookie
Roar Pro
Disagree totally Monday football probably has a better promise to stay in the game than it does to exit out. Fox Sports are doing a fine job and I'm pretty sure that they don't have the right to chose the fixture day its the NRL officials only. And when you said the Rabbits and the Roosters played a Monday night game that attracted 10,000 that was a dodgy game because that year the Rabbits came third last and it was their home match and it was the worst conditions to play in too
Mals
Guest
Hey Oikee, you say teams generally only get 1 or 2 Monday night fixtures a year eh? That implies all clubs are more or less equal in the eyes of the NRL & the tv stations. Manly had SIX Monday night games in 2010! Yep S-I-X!!!! How ripped off were Manly fans...*^$!(#?