NRL clubs have given News Limited and the ARL seven days to resolve their differences delaying the formation of rugby league’s independent commission.
Tired of squabbles between the current co-owners holding back the process, NRL club chairmen on Friday put out a statement claiming the immediate establishment of a new governing body was critical to the game’s progress.
The chairmen met in Sydney on Thursday night when they were briefed on negotiations, their frustrations clearly evident ahead of yet another unrealised deadline, with News Limited having indicated it hoped to have relinquished its interest in the game by April 30.
The two issues holding up proceedings involve the Queensland Rugby League’s insistence that its sovereignty over rugby league in that state be enshrined, while News Limited is yet to provide a commitment that it will not start a Super-League style venture in direct competition with the NRL.
“It is a matter of considerable concern to the chairmen that the formation of the Independent Commission, designed to free rugby league once and for all of vested interests, is being delayed by such issues,” the statement issued by the chairmen said.
“The NRL clubs call on the ARL and News Limited to finalise all outstanding agreements to allow the formation of the Independent Commission within the next seven days for the benefit of everyone in the game, and to respect the time frames for the formation of the commission, which they, themselves, have set.”
No doubt heightening the clubs’ call for urgency was the AFL securing a stunning $1.235 broadcast rights agreement on Thursday, with the NRL set to begin its negotiations on a new deal as soon as the independent commission is established.
Central to any new television deal is a decision on possible expansion, which would affect the NRL’s position at the bargaining table.
“The formation of the Independent Commission has always been of fundamental importance to the future of the game,” the chairmen’s statement said.
“With the commencement of negotiations for the new media rights deal now overdue, with the AFL apparently having now negotiated a lucrative media rights deal, and with the licences of all NRL clubs expiring at the end of this season, the immediate formation of the Independent Commission has now become critical.”
brad
Guest
ANZ Stadium on a friday night, I can think of a 100 places I would rather be. Rugby League needs to play their regular season at the SFS. ANZ has no soul. It makes every game a chore to go to.
Perth Red
Guest
Naive to think NRL and AFL are not fighting over the same corporate $'s, the same media exposure and to some degree the same kids hearts and minds.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Fear not CC i do not predict the demise of RL. but i like to dream that some how the rugby codes could confront the AFL together.
p.Tah
Guest
Connolly's comments sounded like a summary of the most wishful postings on the Roar. Why the journalist chose him as the voice to predict rugby's future is beyond me.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Oikee has apparently been reading fomer Wallaby coach ( John Connolly). His comments in today's Sun Herald,when he was asked for a 2020 prediction.He noted that ru will have global provincial comps and rugby league somehow, would not be able to compete,and thus be absorbed by union. He is the second former Wallaby coach to predict rl's demise.I believe the other was Bob Dwyer( circa early 90s) .Wrong then ,and as the code's resilience has shown,wrong now. We don't need to dilute the "product which is on FTA TV',to be competitive with AFL.All the code needs is an admin with foresight and committment and the abilty to market and spread the game.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Oikee at times you seem to have perfect clarity of the fate of rugby league. its good to see you have seen the light. How about you join the rugby union wagon and together the rugby codes can take on the arrogant AFL. with the financial clout of the IRB perhaps we could end the domination of the AFL.
jamesb
Guest
her sister nearly stole the show
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
In military terms he could be classified as a rl insurgent.No one knows ,whose side he is on. But he has a good script writer.A job with the Chaser is not far off.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Exquisite. Her sister healthy and fit and Harry obviously aware of the fact. We would accept them as 10 dollar Poms.
jus de couchon
Guest
Dont diss your Royal betters. Any appeals you have against your deportation will be revoked with these sort of comments. Anyway what did you think of Kates dress?
AC
Guest
Does Oikee follow League or AFL. Is he in this just as a spoiler. I cant work it out. The fact is that NRL is and has never done better. Its time to stop worrying about the AFL. They have a wonderful but different product. Wish them well. But the NRL has never been stronger. Doomed = me thinks not. Sorry Oikee.
yewonk
Guest
it is a funny thing rugby league supporters especially in sydney dont know how to enjoy themselves at games otherwise they would all be at games. if you go to a game and you sit there for eighty minutes and only enjoy your team scoring tries or altenatively leave at 65, 70 minutes if your team is losing then that would make rugby league boring. but if you go to a game barrack your heart out for your team no matter where your team sits on the ladder, take your family invite friends make an atmosphere around where your sitting. cheer every contest in fact if you go to a game and shout for your team to the point you lose your voice i gurantee you will have a good time. there is a big problem with crowd atmosphere unless it is the state of origin and clubs, supporter groups and the commision would do well to address it.
Whites
Guest
plus rain.
oikee
Guest
Mate if i lived in Sydney, every time it rained i would go to the ruggy league, at least i know i would get front row seats. :)
M1tch
Guest
the ANZ deal was to ensure survive, 100k a game when sfs said goodbye, they'll return to the sfs after the deal
M1tch
Guest
anz stadium, friday night and versus the sharks..was always going to be a disaster crowd
NickF
Guest
Wookie, surely you have better things to do than just trolling.
Bilbo
Guest
All Souths games at the sfs get good crowds - and they are away games. They signed a long term deal with anz when they were readmitted - it seems that only the bulldogs can pull regular good crowds at anz. Guess it makes sense - it's in their district. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
That crowd last night indicates South fans are not that committed.It was after all a home game.According to surveys there are a hell of a lot of souths fans in west sydney,where were they/.
yewonk
Guest
that crowd last night tells me cronulla has to go out and reds to come in. souths have to have home games at the sfs where their fans live.