In the Australian Rugby League Commission’s great impetus to modernise the governance of the game in Australia, it neglected to sell its admirable vision to the stakeholders and invite them along.
Instead of bringing the game together behind the ARLC, the lack of communication and consultation has isolated it from its constituents. Clubs feel patronised and ignored, players feel brushed off and not taken seriously, grassroots feel neglected, the media feel frustrated and the fans are left feeling a deep sense of malaise and confusion.
Outgoing CEO Dave Smith achieved some wonderful things for the game during his three years in charge. Non-broadcast revenues have grown by almost 50 per cent, touch football is now strategically aligned with the NRL and women’s rugby league has received unprecedented recognition and growth.
Furthermore, government relations have improved markedly with the formation of the parliamentary friend of rugby league, $1.6 billion in funding has been secured for rugby league stadiums in NSW, the game’s finances have been boosted by $100 million in cumulative operating surpluses recorded over the last two years and the game has this year signed a record $925 million free-to-air broadcast rights agreement with Channel Nine.
However, despite these laudable achievements, the game remains frustrated. Clubs are pushing for more of the NRL’s increasing revenues to be directed their way, yet there is still no long-term funding agreement after more than twelve months of negotiations with the NRL.
This has provoked club accusations of the NRL’s indifference to their demands and yet to be fulfilled promises to improve communication with the clubs.
The RLPA had also been seeking discussions with the NRL into reviewing the player’s share of the games growing revenues, as agreed to under the collective bargaining agreement. A resolution was finally achieved in September, six months after the RLPA had originally opened discussions with the NRL and only after player threats to boycott the Dally M Awards amid accusations their demands were not being taken seriously.
While welcoming the $1.6-billion dollar investment into stadiums in Sydney, confusion reigns among clubs in regards to the NRL’s long term stadium policy and what it means for them, pointing at a lack of consultation by the NRL during the process.
A sense of pride swept the game after it was announced that a record free-to-air broadcast deal had been reached that would see four games live each round on Channel Nine. However, in the days and weeks that followed the announcement familiar accusations against the NRL of a lack of consultation in the process has been made by News Corp, owners of Fox Sports.
While the accusations by News Corp have rightly been met with much cynicism and suspicion it is difficult to ignore the underlining pattern of behaviour presented by the NRL in dealing with its stakeholders.
In announcing Dave Smith’s resignation last week, ARLC Chairman John Grant made the point that the attraction of the commission in hiring Smith was his qualities as a ‘change agent’.
There is little doubt that the administration of the game at all levels was in desperate need of modernisation and up-skilling after a decade of neglect under the untenable News Corp/ARL partnership.
The game had just formed its first ever independent commission and signed $1.2 billion in broadcast rights, it needed to build a professional administration befitting a business the size and scope of the NRL.
However, change agents are not patient, they are appointed on short-term contracts to transition an organisation into a new phase of existence. Dave Smith was not hired to be diplomatic, he was hired to instil a large degree of change within a short amount of time and in doing so the games stakeholders were not lead, they were told.
You know what they call a leader with no followers? Just a guy taking a walk.
Rugby league now needs a leader.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yeah record SOO crowds and best FTA TV deal more exposure of fans ,no F&L rights,lobbying body for funding,money in the Bank,regular contacts with Govts for stadium updating /building,taking over touch football in this country,money for the Jillaroos,more emphasis on the International game and the Pacific Islands,getting NRL clubs to have professional accountable boards,what a terrible legacy "sigh" Empty seats at grounds featured in the prior admin and prior to that etc etc.
Chris
Guest
Dave Smith was reign in my eyes will always be about the over hype of SOO and empty seats at games.
RobboMaroon
Guest
The NRL clubs & players are probably the only ones who couldn't fathom what Dave Smith was all about, A man not from Rugby League but from business, a man that was focused on League with the big picture in mind & not a clubs self interest. Fans this year have had a greater opportunity to voice their concerns & opinions on the game, making those who pay at the gate, have club memberships or just a fan, feel like they are a part of the NRL. Women's RL has been given a huge boost & the alignment with Touch Football is about making Rugby League more inclusive. Community concerns have been addressed & the game "softened" to appease the mums & dads who considered the game too "rough", therefore giving the opportunity for more kids to start playing the game. Dave Smith has gone a long way to taking the Southern bias out of the game, working with the QRL in helping them improve not only the Intrust Super Cup but also at grass roots level. Not being a fox sport subscriiber & will never be one, I like the prospect of an extra game to watch on FTA each weekend, either people will pay for tv or they won't & one extra game similcast is not going to affect fox. As usual Rupert can't see past his nose for his ego, many 'working'' class are unable to afford Fox so it gives those people more of what they want & that is League on TV. Dave Smith has done so many fantastic things for the game & only in time will the stubborn self interested clubs come to realise it. Rugby League is bigger than just the 16 NRL clubs & I for one am sorry to see Dave Smith leave. Who ever takes over I genuinely hope that it is someone with business acumen & not someone that is appointed from an NRL club or the game will go backwards again into the dark old days.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Did you write that after having two cans sam? Because it's a little insensitive to the Gomersall family.
Wayne Lovell
Roar Guru
Good call
Samtwocan
Guest
If Ribot gets the job we would Probably see Yhe Grasshopper rise from the ashes to ajudicate on all QLD games ..,
Pat malone
Guest
No they don't think that, it's just a common misconception peddled by queenslanders
Jason Cave
Guest
If John Quayle comes back as CEO, it will probably come with a demand that he will not take the job unless Ken Arthurson was named Chairman. Then rugby league will come full circle. The other interesting applicant could be former Broncos and Super League CEO John Ribot. And imagine how funny it would be if former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou was named NRL CEO! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Brad
Guest
I liked Smith and can't stand the predictable bashing, but this article makes a good point, Smith always had a short use by date. He knew what he was hired for and that he wouldn't be there long so he didn't bother holding hands and in the broad church that is rugby league you have to take the game with you or it turns against you fast. It wasn't that he was naive of the politics, but more that he just didn't need to make friends.The next guy has to get the game unified and on the same page, they won't always agree but they will at least feel listened to. The NRL need to be more accessible and transparent for the games 'stakeholders', not dismissive of them.
NamerTamer
Guest
Rugby league is hard sport to leed. It has working class roots and is fairly insular. Most ppl think NRL ends at the outer burbs of Sydney. In addition to this waaay too many players have behaviour problems. I mean look at this Matt Lodge guy in New York. Andrew Fifita recently. Dave Smith is probably amazed that a sport could have so many misfits. Rugby league doesnt know if it wants to be number 1. The AFL runs rings around us because we lack vision and an understanding of what fans want. Crowds this year have been the worst since about 1998. I think banning the shoulder charge and the loss of SBW and Burgess and Hayne deflated the buzz around the sport somewhat. Oh...ramble over LOL
bbt
Guest
How many of these complaints are coming from Sydney based clubs vs the interstate and regional ones? It is becoming a national competition in outlook, something that has not happened previously.
Nick Nack
Guest
Thought he was already and the AFL, and Federal and State parliaments whilst living in New York. We busily are paying the taxes and buying his products keeping him in the life he is accustomed to. Aren't we good!? Would like an eccentric head honcho, Tommy Raudonikis if I had to chose. The sport proves time and time again it runs itself in spite of the clowns taking the millions off the top for wearing a suit and fronting the media scrum.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
Look, they don't run these things on feelings. You can not help the fact some clubs have rocks in their heads
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Failed to sell? You can't sell to people who have a negative level of interest in buying, and the clubs were resisting modernization at every possible moment it seemed; frankly Smith did a remarkable job to achieve as much as he did.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Why not put Rupert in charge.
Gurudoright
Guest
I want the independent commission to be independent! No Greenberg, no Richardson. I want someone with no affiliation to any club. If that means the NRL looks overseas so be it.
peeeko
Guest
a good leader is important but dont expect him to be a panacea for all the problems of RL
Jarijari
Guest
Buzz Rothfield and Gus Gould -- in the same office.