I just read a website story about NRL CEO Dave Smith and was struck by the first two comments from readers posted underneath it.
The first said: “Dave Smith needs to go. No question.”
The second said: “I am a strong supporter of Dave Smith, we need a bean counter at the top after a Century of unqualified ex players took all the money from the sport.”
Two opinions on the same subject that obviously couldn’t be more different. Who is right and who is wrong?
I don’t know. It’s a matter of opinion. The two opinions above could even both be wrong, with the answer lying somewhere in between.
For all those people who believe Smith is doing a bad job, there are those who reckon he is doing a good one. For all those who are adamant he has botched the television rights deal, there are the others who reckon he has made a smart initial move and has plenty of time in which to get the rest of it right.
One thing is for sure, though, the negativity surrounding the game at the moment is hurting it.
Rugby league has always been thick-skinned, but it can still be wounded and right now it’s hard to sit down and watch a game without being distracted by all of the damaging talk about the NRL administration, the television deal, crowds, shoulder charges, or whatever.
You deadset need to be wearing earmuffs and blinkers. That’s how I’m finding it, anyway. News Limited newspapers have taken the big stick to Smith. Some people agree with the chastisement and some don’t.
The thing about readers’ comment sections and social media is that people get the chance to say what they think on these sort of issues and be heard. How all of the debate is going to end isn’t clear, but surely something has got to give.
It would be good to be a fly on the wall during the meeting via a telephone hook-up between the chairmen of the 16 clubs and Smith that is scheduled for today. But we’re going to have to see what comes out of it, whether that be via official statements from the NRL and/or the clubs, or via leaks – or a combination of both.
There are only two rounds – plus tonight’s game – left before the finals series. Ideally, the accent should be on the battle for top four and top eight spots and to avoid the wooden spoon.
Will the Cowboys finally win a comp? Ditto the Sharks? Will Souths become the first team since Brisbane in 1992-93 to win back-to-back premierships in an all-in competition? Is Wayne Bennett going to take the Broncos straight back to number one?
The injury dramas surrounding star players Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Mitchell Pearce at Sydney Roosters, James Tamou and Michael Morgan at North Queensland and Greg Inglis at South Sydney.
But while these developments, which could potentially have a huge impact on who wins the premiership, are getting attention, it is like a sideshow to the main act.
There is always drama in rugby league, but usually at this time of year the football overrides everything because we’ve reached the business end of the season.
It doesn’t feel like it’s going to be the same, smooth transition this time around.
Right now, I’m more interested in how Jarryd Hayne fares in his second pre-season match for the San Francisco 49ers against the Dallas Cowboys today than who is going to win the NRL premiership.
That’s because Hayne’s bid is a fascinating sports story you can follow without being distracted by negatives related to other issues.
In other words, it doesn’t give you a headache.
3 Hats
Guest
Those figures are probably correct as some of my mates watch EVERY GAME, every week... I however ONLY watch Souths games...I have better things to do with my precious time than watch Broncos, Rorters or Dogs. Etc.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's estimated by the NRL that 500,000 only subscribe for NRL. The best rated game is less than 350,000. Do you think more than 150,000 only subscribe for NRL, but don't even watch the biggest game? I think that Fox will more than likely lose half of their peak audience, or 200,000 to overestimate. Not every one of those 350,000 only subscribes for NRL after all. It's a huge hit, but when you consider that for 200,000 subscribers paying the base package plus sports, that's $50 a month and a total of $600M revenue. Out of that $600M they need to pay for all the other content available, as well as the sports content besides NRL that attracts people. The economics just aren't there to go all out to ensure they have it. With minimal advertising during NRL as they try and promote them as ad free, subscribers is the biggest benefit that NRL can offer.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well when people are more concerned about the deal value, than the long term benefits it can yield, perhaps it's an appropriate term.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Harry, it's less than 350,000 actually.
TahDan
Roar Guru
If Fox do that, then frankly the NRL would be mad not to go with ESPN or BeIN Sports instead. If Fox are going to low-ball the NRL despite it dominating Fox ratings, then why should the NRL help prop them up?
3 Hats
Guest
My suggestion to cancel Foxtel was in regards to if they don't do a deal. But they will. Fox is undergoing a survey as I type. The consensus is no NRL than its customers will cancel. Only customers with the Sports package. I.e basic + sports without the movies.
Happy Jack
Guest
Can someone explain why its a great deal for RL - the money for FTA is big but they are getting effectively twice the value and losing the Pay TV Saturday monopoly difference in doing so... AS I have said elsewhere - are most of the 2m H/h (30% of 6.5 M H/Holds) NRL driven? The highest rating for NRL is 400K PEOPLE and certainly an attraction at the pub but its only a percentage of the total. I have spoken to some hard core NRL fans who will keep Fox (at a reduced price?) because they have become used to it and follow other sports and the female of the house likes other stuff. nteflix, Stan, Presto etc have under 200K each subs and in any case some maybe Fox customers as well. I note the News papers are pushing Hayne hard maybe to boost NFL which is on Fox (although on Seven as well). Perhaps they will show all SF games - Fox has some NFL rights. better hope he makes it.
Alvin Purple
Guest
No one is but you need to see them in the context of a changing market. Look at the races. How many people turn up to these now days compared to 20 years ago? I believe the AFL has dropped in Melbourne and Super 15 in this country. So yes NRL crowds may be down but if it is the only thing that reflects the state of the game then why are revenues up so significantly?
Alvin Purple
Guest
For whatever some think these guys are just not that dumb. The NRL will be on Foxtel and it may include more teams that will allow for more expansion. Rupert may prefer the AFL but he likes money more. Netflix is gaining everyday and more people have it. Without sport Fox has very little else.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Birdy.You have a choice a signing on fee or a unit to stay where you are.Not a hard choice really.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Fox will come to the table but nowhere near what the NRL will want. For Fox, no Monday Night Footy no Super Saturday. The top four games will go to FTA leaving what's left to Fox Sports. They talk about the digital services, the NRL blind sided Telstra with that one.
Birdy
Guest
I'd like to know where all the rugby union money went after 150 years of not paying their players. Or the players accident insurance. And it's even funnier in a Roy Masters column how the mighty St George team if th 60's couldn't afford a couple of rah rahs to boost their strength. So many questions that should be answered .
Birdy
Guest
My foxtel and Telstra both run out next year. No NRL good bye both of them !!!!!!!!
Birdy
Guest
Sam2 Most WA jobs were FIFO Perth . Always worked with a lot of westies.
Chris
Guest
So true Turbo at least club crowds under Gallop were the best before SL.
Chris
Guest
Rupert should be having a charity Boxing match with Tony Blair.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Which NRL media ,made that assumption the code wants the same deal as then AFL.? More likely a couple of journos in the SMH. How do you know what analysis they have or haven't done.? Journalists sometimes do research sometimes they ad lib. Big on assumptions GOGWS. For a start the NRL have 49 of the top 100 Sport shoes on Fox this year ,the AFL I understand 35. There are according to media analysts 20% or eat 500,000 people who subscribe to Fox on the basis of that outlet showing NRL games.The biggest Pay TV market is Sydney by a country mile. So far Fox has lost monday nights and temporarily I believe Saturday one game>If the do a simulcast with 9 and 9 onset their saturday game to Fox,who knows the outcome. Remembering of course without the NRL as Pay Tv driver to start that medium,I doubt any codes would be getting what the secure these days.The very reason Rupert is putting on such a barney,he knows he could lose his most valuable (as ratings have shown)sporting asset.The result of which he has unleashed his predictable attack dogs on Smith and Co. Whatever the final figure from Fox,Smith i negotiating with Telstra,other streaming outlets,Sky NZ and Internationals.The final figure when all pieces of teh jigsaw are combine could be indeed a big surprise.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Please TWOS calling league fans moronic is a bit over the top.Bit of decorum from a ru chappie.
Fed Up With News
Guest
...and Rupert tried to buy the NRL out and also ditch Souths in the process ( Super League war ) .... Rupe dosn't always get his way, though it would be easier having him with ye' than aganst ye!
Hanrahan
Guest
Cancelling Foxtel at this time is not a good tactic. The sheer number of NRL driven subscriptions is what gives Dave Smith the evidence to get good deals from prospective media outlets, whether News Corp or others. The time to cancel Foxtel is when they no longer have the rights to NRL. Simples.