Do you actually have any evidence of this? Don't quote State of Origin audiences. Every bit of data i've seen points to people switching off from watching the NRL. The game is not attracting new fans, it's clearly alienating its existing fan base
Why not quote Origin? I'm sure you can find facts that support your position. A lot of evidence can also support the idea that the NRL is in a better position than ever, as the health of the code is subjective anyway. It just depends what figures you want to look at and how you want to interpret them.
One thing is clear though, if the NRL was viewed as a business, it's current health is stronger than ever.
For all we know Dave SMith is not talking to Google, Netflix, Stan, FBTV. Assuming it because it helps your argument is silly, until their is some evidence of it is is just a pipedream. Even if Smith hits the 1.7b target the gap in value per year between ours and the afl deal will grow.
Betcats, read properly mate. The statement "for all we know" is not an assumption, but was used to imply ignorance of the current situation, and to also remain open to some of the positive outcomes that could transpire. My point was all the pessimistic doom and gloom posts that Dave Smith has screwed up is not based on anything factual, and no one really has anything idea what will happen next.
Where do you get this $1.7b number from?
Do you realise the same people in the media throwing these numbers around also predicted that Nine were only going to increase their previous bid of $475m to $600m just before the Nine deal was announced?
So what happened, did they bid $600m? No.. $925m.