Call me Captain Obvious, but the area that rugby league can see to right now is expansion, clearly a great need.
The two areas at the top of the list are the second Brisbane side, and Perth. Why?
These two areas will provide the game with the greatest amount of growth with the most certainty. Perth’s grassroots strength and growth potential can make the competition national; and Brisbane is under-utilised, being a large league city with just one team.
Both would be able to generate large amounts of TV revenue, as well as localised player talent and sponsorship dollars/members for the code. Which raises the question of how.
It’s my opinion these teams need to happen ASAP, in the life of the next contract – we cannot wait. Not when AFL is supposedly scooting ahead nation-wide. We have a chance here to move forward in a great bound.
I am thinking 2015 should be the year we announce the inclusion of a new team. We should not wait until the next contract. It’s my understanding that new Perth and/or Brisbane teams are being spoken of during the current TV negotiations. Could it be that the ARLC are thinking much the same as mentioned?
The benefits of moving on this now far outweigh the negatives. Yes, the competition balance may take a hit, with a few more lopsided results initially, due mainly to talent-spread. I think this is only a small concern in reality. Sport survives poorer contests all the time.
The other and more concerning aspect is any new team requiring funding, as well as falling over should trouble arise. I don’t know the finances inside and out, but I think the negatives associated with forming these new teams is outweighed by the gains in exposure and fan support additional teams will bring – entirely new dollars and fans from Perth and dollars from a reinvigorated market in Brisbane, for sponsors and fans who miss out on the Broncos either by choice or simple supply and demand.
The last question for inclusion is timing. I have nominated 2015 as a time when I think we can and should bring in new teams. That gives the game one year to make a judgement on the successful bids, and up to three years to get the new club in shape with a full roster of players and support. Surely this is enough time.
But the time to make a move would seem to be now. And as a contingency thought: if both teams cannot enter in 2015 for whatever reason, then the two could be staggered for inclusion across a couple of years.
If that’s the case, then which team should be allowed in first – Brisbane or Perth? How would you do it? And what benefits do you think it would bring? Maybe you do not think we can afford to support two extra teams just now – why so?
JBL
Guest
QEII is crumbling apart mate. I live next to it and it's in no state to hold any national sporting franchise. Unfortunately the QLD government dropped the ball on it.
Perth red
Guest
Like it or not Perth will be the next city the NRL expands to. West Coast Pirates setting sail in 2015!
turbodewd
Guest
If rugby league wants to become relevant is has to venture into new markets. And RL teams shouldnt be propped up by pokies. I mean for grandmas around town to squander their savings to that footballers can drive an FPV or BMW is kinda immoral.
The Big Show
Guest
Expansion should only go to areas that can financially sustain themselves. The NRL is losing too much money propping up garbage Sydney teams.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
I'm happy for the netball folks, but I agree with the sentiment. League should never be outrated by a leisure activity like netball. Ever.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
how about all the boards being disbanded, and Gallop sacked. Is that good enough for you? The only board who by LAW has any control over rugby league australia wide, above state leagues, above bush league, over the NRL and rep competitions, ect, state leagues, ect......----------> Is the ARLC. You will not see news ltd anywhere....no positions on boards, and no real hope on getting a guy on - ever. Is that good enough for you? Its pretty inextricable to me. very clear cut. They never really came out and said, except in maybe the fairfax press. Remember news ltd controls most of the press, apart from the very good fairfax groups. Having followed it closesly, news ltd only hinted at such a thing very subtly; they darted round the edges. Often they barely mentioned anything to do with it. When they did, they put spin on it. Words to the effect of "Oh the ARLC will see its not peachy running the nrl, its a warzone, its hell on earth - they will struggle - i hope they are going to go alright, they have no experience, they will be swamped, its falling apart already! sacking gallop was a mistake - news ltd were THE CHAMPS, we rule! I hope the ARLC burn, because we just like to win, and when we dont win, we whinge - screw the masses - this is about our own homes and family, we dont care about you, just share prices. " Thats news ltd reporting on the issue. Pack of vermin. Look at how their reporters act even now.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
ok, all fair points, I read it all. but news ltd do not own league anymore. they own some of the broncos, sure, but lets be honest and say the world has changed. I think you will find that the news ltd segement would welcome another club that will undoubtledly propel league to another level altogether in this city. See, the time is ripe. Having the extra passion visible in the community and the extra derby game, and all it brings, league at suncorp each week - its only going to benefit the broncos in the long run. And therefore, altogether, all told, it will benefit RL. But the broncos will not miss out. The city is big enough for more than one team......see....there are sponsors trying to sponsor in rugby league in Brisbane but they cannot, because there is only one Brisbane team (gold coast and north qld dont count here). I doubt there will be too much opposition, apart from trying to make sure the broncos do not diminish in their appeal - if thats even possible for a paper to achieve now everyone has wised up to them.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
omg you're a bit slow on the up take for a troll.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
lolz love your work.
81paling
Roar Rookie
AR not sure why you feel dirty? could you please very carefully clarify that remark? (without any degrading racial remarks). Anyway that aside I was more addressing the fact that an NRL team would get far greater coverage in our nation's capital as it would in central QLD and indeed it would also see exposure in New Zealand. Going on from this any club that wins the NRL will also go to the UK to get further international exposure in the club challenge played against the Premiers of the UK comp and that of Australia. My comment was merely to say that very large company's use the NRL just as they do the AFL to get wide exposure to the biggest markets in Australia with the added bonus of international markets, I had not even looked into the size of their contribution.
Kim Hart
Guest
Roosters are struggling just quietly. Get rid of Cronulla first and foremost and possibly one other (Manly :) just kidding sort of) I cannot fathom taking a side to Perth it failed before and will likely fail again. Another side in Brisbane is sustainable. I'm not sure what Pot Stirrers on about as the Bronco's are doing very nicely.
81paling
Roar Rookie
It looks as if the salary cap will increase to a bit over $6m if the NRL gets their expected figure of $1.2bn over 5 years. With this in mind it will take about about $15m to run each NRL club after admin, support staff and extra's like transport. So you have just eaten up $450m of the optimistic $1.2bn revenue that the NRL hopes to sell the new rights for and this is before a single person has even been told about the new clubs tat will need support left alone trying to educate the kids. Also shortening the season to 22 rounds, surely that must equate to very few if any extra games in the season reducing the product on offer to TV channels, all that needs happen is every game on city/country round is played in traditional country area's with the pre match being a local derby so selectors get a look at possible rising local talent whilst the league can take it's product all over Australia, NZ, PNG and even other place if the potential is there like Fiji or Samoa (their markets are not big but their talent is strong) Tasmania and other offshore locations that are not (or should not be) part of Australia. However lets not sacrifice Toyota cup for several teams like those from SA (assume you mean South Australia) that have not got a hope in hell of ever being financial.
81paling
Roar Rookie
BW you might be right but I have searched for any reliable confirmation of NEWS no ,longer owning 50% of the game and I just can not find it, it is not there please can you give me a lead I want to believe it but it is just not true.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
What is this rubbish? RL Is a way of life in Yorkshire and Lancashire? Yeah, minor sporting organisations like Manchester United and City, Liverpool, Leeds United and Everton have no profile at all. Soccer is by far the biggest sport in those areas. Whilst League is has a sizable following, it's nowhere near the soccer juggernaut. Now - on the WARL. There are 2 divisions of 8 teams each at the mens level, covering an area of approximately 2 million people. At 20 players a team, that's a whopping 320 players. Gaelic Football and Gridiron have comparable participation levels in Perth. That's not to put the kybosh on the NRL's chances of success in Perth, but there is no grassroots base. You bring up the AFL in Sydney - where the grassroots base is small. But it's at least 10 times bigger than RL in Perth. Probably much more. I wish the NRL all the best if they decide to go with Perth, but they're going to have to work hard to make it work, and spend a lot of money. They need to be prepared for that.
HYWEL
Guest
whats so hard about this you want a national comp just do it Add 6 new team WA SA CC ANOTHER QUEENSLAND PNG ANOTHER NZ Play every team one home one season away next apart from local rivals who you play 2 a season that 22 games a season Enough players new tv deal mean we could get a team of super league players over, NZ have enough for another team, PNG made up of png players yes they struggle but in years to come will improve, that leaves 3 sides to fill well there always NRL players in quuensland and nsw cup theres another team made and then the under 20 players get rid of toyota cup, sorted
HYWEL
Guest
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Pablo
Guest
Thanks for your response, Crosscoder. I appreciate your argument in this debate, and your points are valid. In truth, I would argue for world domination, but in this debate, I offer an argument in the negative. I guess, in the end, only time will tell.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
One word that talks loud and is very influential Pablo:MONEY. The Storm whlst still tucked away in Melbourne as a niche market, is still getting out into the schools and growing their local comp(small though it be). Gallop and indeed the NRL have openly stated having the Storm pays for itself by virtue of its existence in the 2nd biggest Oz market,and the influence it had on TV negotiations ,in beaming games there to the Northern states. The Titans have in fact worked.They spent much time being involved in the local community and have a big junior base They made a mistake in development,just prior to the GFC as did many other business people. I venture to suggest,not having the Storm,not playing a SOO game in Melbourne,the Tv ratings for last night would have been ordinary from down south. I cannot see an Adelaide team for ages TBH.The other question to be asked ,do you want major national and international brands wanting to sposnor your code, or Bill the Butcher because it is confined to your locale. If you have a product/game you are proud of ,you flog it to new areas.There is no iron clad guarantee of success,but sitting at home keeping the home fires burning, is not the way to grow the code. I remember quite vividly the naysayers bagging the Warrior's inclusion into the comp.The excuses ru is the national code,it is an oz comp,they will be thrashed etc . Some of the finest young rl talent is coming out of the Shaky Isle,and having team there adds another $60m ( 5 years) to the Tv deal.No one gives a second thought, to having the Warriors.. Maybe negative is a tad too harsh,but too conservative might be more appropriate.No one wants to waste money. The old story nothing ventured,nothying gained.that is why we have entrepeneurs in democracies.and that is partially why many thrive. Please don't compare basketball with rugby league in this country.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Mate, the roosters,Dogs, Rabits, knights and eels have plenty of cash. Doesnt matter where it comes from. If it wasnt for the Stallions or what ever they are called the Broncos wouldnt be what they are. Theyd be just like the Gold Coast which is why they dont want a 2nd Brisb team.
Pablo
Guest
Pot-Stirrer, Your line of arguments starts off well, but unfortunately, comes to an abrupt end. Success of expansion is '...all about increased Television viewing which is where all the money comes from. More games. more advertising slots...' This argument only holds water if you assume that the punters continue to watch it on TV. If the punters don't support expansionism by watching the TV, advertisers will not continue to pump money in to advertising, because it's impact would be diminished. Furthermore, it is not just about continuing to watch footy on TV, but watching a game whose traditions lie outside its heartland, eg. a WA viewer would need to prefer to watch, say. an RL game in preference to an AFL game; a Qld viewer would need to prefer watching the Suns instead of the Broncos. Why? Because if this doesn't happen, the least popular games will be relegated to a graveyard timeslot or an obscure digital channel, potentially diminishing the value of the TV rights. I can not imagine this happening in my lifetime. NSW & Qld will support RL first, the southern states will continue to support Australian Football.