Expansion may still be on the agenda but NRL CEO Todd Greenberg says there is no deadline, balking at adding a fourth Queensland team at the expense of a Sydney club.
Greenberg championed Queensland’s passionate rugby league fans on Tuesday as he officially launched the NRL’s historic 2019 Magic Round in which Brisbane will play host to the entire ninth round in May.
But he could not give a definitive answer when asked if league’s popularity in Queensland warranted another NRL team.
“There has always been an appetite for us to continue to bring more content to Queensland, whether that translates into an additional team is a question that is open for us,” Greenberg said.
“The Commission has asked me to consider what I think the long term future of the game looks like.
“Make no mistake that we want to bring additional content to Brisbane and to Queensland.
“It can’t be evidenced more by bringing all 16 clubs for one weekend. It has never been done before in history.”
There was renewed momentum for expansion this year after new chairman Peter Beattie claimed: “We have to grow. If we stagnate, we die”.
And Queensland fans were hoping the Magic Round’s success would be a catalyst for a fourth team in the state.
Greenberg dismissed the notion of relocating Sydney teams in the future but said there was potential for adding clubs – he just didn’t know when.
“I would like to see more teams across the competition. Our chairman Peter Beattie is on record saying you can’t sit still and you should have aspirations to grow,” Greenberg said.
“But you have to do that methodically and professionally, not something you do quickly.”
It had been believed the NRL would consider expansion in 2022 after the expiry of the current broadcast deal.
“The real question is whether you want to expand the competition or relocate teams,” Greenberg said.
“That is an open question for us at the moment. We haven’t answered it.
“If you are asking me whether I am looking to relocate teams from Sydney then the answer is no.
“Over the next five year cycle our priority is making sure all 16 clubs are sustainable.”
Asked if there was an expansion deadline, Greenberg said: “It is really difficult putting a target on it.
“Because you need to do the work, you have to understand what will impact broadcasting, participation and the quality of the competition that we currently have.
“They are questions that don’t have to be solved today, but they are questions on my table for the long term future of the game.”
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep Fan led is tough. Typically what customers want and what they say they want are opposed. Nokia is dead because they listened to customers, apple was on the verge until they stopped, Microsoft would be a forgotten blip if they'd listened, IKEA was told no one would want to make there own furniture. The disaster of New coke came from listening, so did powers beer. Online new site were told their customers loved the feeling of a newspaper
Robert Szemeti
Roar Rookie
Maybe they could be called the "Morten Bay Bugs" and have redcliffe dolphins feed it hehe.... I agree Redcliffe is definitely worthy Maybe a team north of that combining Sunshine coast to Redcliffe, but still be the "dolphins" Im hoping they go with two new South Qld teams with the other call South Qld Devils? maybe? That will cover the western corrider, much like the west tigers spreads out from balmain to ashfield to campbelltown, the same could apply for logan to ipswich to even far west toowomba, i mean the NQ cowboys, covers a large region, but mainly townsville Also relocations for 2 sydney teams for perth and adelaide as they would lack a strong junior base feeding the 30man squad if they were introduced, prime example is when melbourne started they had a few teams fold, so major signings came from there. But they had north Sydney bears feeding them too, now its some of the qld junior teams, falcons i think at the moment, Perth would need a strong club feeding it to be successful otherwise why bother Where as brand new teams in south qld would work as it has plenty of lower grade team to help feed them
Reggie Reserve
Roar Rookie
When the time is right, whether it be expansion or replacing a club the Redcliffe Dolphins are the obvious/ sensible choice. 1 - QLD’s richest and recently most successful state league club (Thriving Leagues Club) with a home ground not requiring that much of an upgrade to facilitate NRL matches. 2 - Easy access to and from Brisbane airport. 3 - Technically it is not another side in Brisbane as Redcliffe is it’s own city in the Moreton Bay region.
1st&10
Guest
Dump the Cronulla Sharks to NSW cup or Ron Massey Cup
Beergardener
Roar Pro
My personal bugbear is anyone in NRL or AFL who treats Gold Coast like a suburb of Brisbane and acts like we have two teams up here
Rellum
Roar Guru
With you there mate. That and anyone casually suggesting they just relocate a Sydney team to Brisbane.
Old mate bigJ
Roar Rookie
If the Nrl is going to relocate or expend any Sydney team for a fourth qld team than it has to be Parramatta. Haven’t won a premiership in over 34 years have appeared in a grand final in nearly twenty (2001) and this season wooden spooners. That’s pretty much all the evidence you need to expel the club. Sad for Eels fans but thier club has been dying for near twenty years now
Emcie
Roar Guru
I swear, the next person to label Logan as West Brisbane....
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
It depends on the quality and quantity of talent. AFL has 18 teams and the gap from the top teams from the bottom teams is way too big. How long has it been since the Lions made the fianls? They consistently finish in the bottom 4 every season. Same with the Suns and Carlton. Parra went from 4th to last. Cows went from a GF to 13th. Rabbitohs went from 2 years out of the finals to premiership contenders. The comp is so close year after year, I think they could sustain 2 more teams.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
The work does need to be done... so do the work!! Bring in people to specifically focus on expansion. It's been all talk and no action ever since the Titans came into the comp in 2007. There's markets in Perth, Adelaide, NSW Central Coast and Ipswich/Logan (West Brisbane) who are all viable options for a rugby league team.
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
Yeah fair enough, that maye be true. I was thinking more about since the ARL Commission was set up. The game definitely has a clearer direction now than it did under Gallop, who largely seemed to make it up as he went along, stumbling his way through unconvincing press conferences.
craigo
Guest
We already have a fourth team. It's just that they are located in Melbourne.
Fred
Guest
My point is the relegation of one of Super League's biggest clubs wasn't terminal for Super League, nor for Bradford, who maintain a loyal following of fans. I have no doubt we'll see Bradford back in Super League in a couple of years, and if we don't, we'll have to make do with Toulouse, Toronto or London!
Fred
Guest
Also the lower tiers in 'England' features teams from Wales, France and Canada, and looks like being joined by a Serbian team.
Fred
Guest
In Super League, top flight teams loan out players who aren't getting a run to second tier teams. Win win for both and much cheaper than funding a whole squad of 30 in reserve grade
Fred
Guest
We ALREADY have PNG, Perth and soon Fiji playing in second tier. If those teams can manage now, surely they can manage with the additional sponsorship and fans that would come if they were seen as having a chance of promotion.
Big Daddy
Guest
I think the NRL would like to expand but won't increase the amount of teams until a Sydney team goes belly up.
Big Daddy
Guest
Fred, Bradford went into liquidation in 2017 and played in tier 3 this year. They have a new owner and will compete in tier 2 next year. Not the powerhouse they used to be.
Matt H
Roar Guru
What? In the last 30 years, expansion has included Brisbane, Newcastle, NQ, Auckland, Melbourne. I’d call that a raging success. Go back another six years and you can add Canberra.
Matt H
Roar Guru
The biggest problem with a second tier is distance. In England they can get to every game by bus if they have to. In Australia your second tier in a bad year could include Perth, PNG, Wellington, Canberra, NQ, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc. no second tier in our country with limited sponsorship or tv appeal could possibly sustain that. Also you would be talking about sustaining another whole tier worth of fully professional wages. Hard to hold down a job when there is that much travel involved.