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Opinion
What great awareness from Peter V’landys. The man did so much for sport during COVID – not only rugby league and racing, but sport globally.
V’landys created a market through succinct arguments and following protocols when the world was in lockdown.
V’landys restarted the NRL and racing in NSW in matter of weeks. This is a man with a vision and goals, and he will achieve them for the greater good of the public.
For that, we all thank Mr V’landys.
Since COVID struck, he sought a way through. The rest of the world followed in quick succession.
While we were in isolation, we had an event to watch, then another, then another…
As the global codes came back, V’landys was on a mission to promote rugby league globally.
Let’s be real. Rugby league is played on the east coast of Australia, a small part of England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
The market is open for expansion, but as V’landys suggested last week, the market is exhausted in Australia for more revenues.
He has done an outstanding job. And again, as a sport lover of all codes, I think it’s been fantastic.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
In the past few weeks or months, the NRL have targeted the USA and other markets. In any business, this is an appropriate action to create greater market awareness and is yet another smart move.
The rules of the NRL have been changed possibly too frequently over the preceding two or three years to create a better quality product that can be sold overseas.
Again, this is a great advertisement for the sport and to try to muscle in on the global power of their brother code rugby union, which has a far greater foothold on the global market.
Being in a niche market, with almost autonomous control over rules, means the NRL can adapt to consumer concerns.
However, appeasing one side will inevitably anger another.
The latest push for a Super Bowl-style format for the NRL grand final is certainly intriguing, especially when global cities being considered is incredible.
There are ones I’d love to see, and are definitely a revenue stream.
The statement made from V’landys, according to Fox Sports, is “one thing I know about supporters, they will travel”.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Now remember that rugby league is built on the premise of the working class.
I’m all for expansion, but surely the appeal of Sydney or Brisbane (only) at this point should be front of mind for a minimum of ten years.
The beauty of rugby league in the ’80s and ’90s was that it gave an average punter a seat at the stadium. It has now become a seat, a flight and accommodation for two to three people.
The point is, it’s not the Super Bowl. That is the foundation of the sport.
Global sporting events with largest ticket prices for participation are the Super Bowl, the Champions League final in Europe mostly, the FIFA World Cup final, and the Olympics 100-metre sprint final (outside of the host city-allocated tickets).
To ask punters from rugby league’s heartland to travel and spend a minimum of $1600 per person to attend an event for NRL may be a stretch too far.
Is this about money or the people who support it, or is this simply to improve the bidding price and increase ratings?
If it is, has rugby league jumped the shark too early?
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