News Coronavirus and NRL

[Perth Red]

Here's another article in The Australian:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...l/news-story/2076a49ecb2f3f01f26e28dd72008c04

post articles please, they’re all behind subscriptions these days

 

[LeagueXIII]

Nine Network ‘exploiting’ coronavirus crisis to bully NRL

New Zealand Warriors have requested more details before committing to returning to Australia. Picture: Getty Images

• BRENT READ
  SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
  @brentread_7
  
  
• 7:18PM APRIL 10, 2020
• 6 COMMENTS

The NRL’s tense negotiations with the Nine Network have taken on added importance after Warriors players asked for some clarity around whether they would be properly compensated for leaving their families behind to help restart the competition.

Warriors players held talks on Friday morning and their chief executive Cameron George later contacted the NRL with a series of questions that were raised during those discussions.

It came amid further fallout from the Nine Network’s astonishing attack on rugby league’s administration, a missive that has placed chief executive Todd Greenberg firmly back in the crosshairs.

One club chair, speaking on the condition of anonymity, on Friday responded with an attack of his own aimed at Nine.

“At the end of the day they are seeking to exploit a public health crisis for the commercial benefit of a massive co-operation and they are bullying a not-for-profit sports organisation that employs thousands upon thousands of people,’’ the chair said.

“This is not Todd’s fault. He didn’t start coronavirus. Todd is not on trial here. All they are trying to do is bleed the game of cash so we are forced to their knees and have to renegotiate.

“What happens if the clubs, the states, the players and the NRL are all unified and say, ‘OK mate, guess what, we are going to call for a nationwide boycott of your business by our fans?’ ”

It is understood the NRL has notified its broadcast and sponsorship partners that the coronavirus has left it with no choice but to enact the Act of God clause in contracts — a means to protect the sanctity of those deals during a time of crisis.

There were suggestions late on Friday that the Nine Network rejected claims recent events were an Act of God. Under the terms of the deal between the NRL and its partners, it is believed both parties are required to mitigate the damage suffered by the other.

That means sitting down and working out a new deal for the remainder of this season, testing the network’s commitment to the game. In recent days, there has been speculation that the Nine Network would prefer that the premiership did not return this year, those claims fuelled by the network’s decision to inform the stock exchange that it would save $130 million if rugby league did not return in 2020. But the likelihood is that the competition will be played over a further 13 rounds of the regular season — 15 in total before finals and the grand final — although the NRL has kept the prospect alive of playing the entire season and running into December.

The Nine Network pays about $110 million a year for the broadcast rights — about 20 per cent of the game’s total revenue — a figure that will likely be significantly reduced as part of the renegotiation.

The NRL will also need to renegotiate the terms of its deal with Foxtel, which pay upwards of $200 million a year. The ugly stoush between Nine and the NRL is in stark contrast to the seemingly civil dealings between the AFL and its commercial broadcaster, the Seven Network.

“The only thing that keeps them in a job is ratings,” the chair said.

“The number one, two, three and four highest rating programs on the network are (State of) Origin — one, two and three — and the NRL grand final.

“The only way they have a foothold in the national ratings is the NRL. They are hoping that by withholding money, the NRL gets done over and they can screw them over.

“That is a partner of the game?”

Meanwhile, the Warriors will await further feedback from the NRL before they commit to returning to Australian shores.

The club’s leadership group met on Friday morning and discussed the prospect of the competition resuming on May 28 — they would need to be in Sydney by late-April in order for that to happen.

“There are a significant amount of questions that have been raised by the playing group around what the competition looks like,” George said.

“The medical issue is a concern. They are not saying we don’t want to. They are saying we would love to. But we need to understand what this is all about. In their world they can’t see anyone else in any industry being asked to do what they have been asked to do, and leave next week when there is no answer to these key questions.’’

 

[Vee]

Here's another article in The Australian:

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...l/news-story/2076a49ecb2f3f01f26e28dd72008c04

Double.

 

[txta2]

From what I am reading and hearing, Nine wants out, or a new contract drawn up as current situation means NRL has failed to fulfil obligations.

 

[Rabbit toes]

From what I am reading and hearing, Nine wants out, or a new contract drawn up as current situation means NRL has failed to fulfil obligations.

Hard to fulfill obligations in the current environment

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Lol..... Typical
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...r/news-story/97391f1d00c28c3fbe402ee3ae0f9ef1


Roosters boss Nick Politis demands the NRL restart the competition ladder
The winless Roosters have demanded the NRL restart the competition ladder once the league resumes play with Nick Politis claiming the integrity of the sport is at stake.

Phil Rothfield, Sports Editor-at-Large, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
April 11, 2020 6:34pm


FOXSPORTS1:31

• ‘Act of God’ ramps up NRL-Nine blood feud
• Matty Johns: The changes that can save rugby league

The NRL’s most influential official, billionaire Roosters boss Nick Politis, is demanding the season be restarted on May 28 with all 16 clubs on zero points to protect the integrity of the competition.

In a rare public outburst as the Roosters attempt to become the first side in 37 years to win a treble of premierships, Politis says the competition will become “meaningless” if it resumes over 13 games.

“If you change the draw, you’ve got to start again,” he said.

It is estimated clubs will need a minimum 16 points to make the top eight under a 15-round competition format or 22 points to make the top four.

“It’s like changing the race from a Melbourne Cup (two miles) to a Doncaster (one mile) after it’s already started,” Politis said.

“It becomes meaningless and makes it almost mathematically impossible for the bottom sides to make the top four.

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“We have been preparing all along for a 24-round season. That’s why we rested Boyd Cordner for the first two games.”

Politis insists the NRL should play out the full season into November if the premiership table is to stay as is.

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Test cricket is back! Watch Australia v Sri Lanka live Foxtel Now 10 day free trial*

“This isn’t just about the Roosters,” he said. “It’s about the integrity of the competition and giving every club and their fans a fair chance.”

The NRL is still undecided about a schedule for the resumption of the competition.

There is still talk of two conferences, playing each other twice, or another 13 more rounds to allow each club to play each other once. Now there are suggestions of adding rivalry rounds to stretch the season out.

The New Zealand Warriors and the Cronulla Sharks are supporting Politis.

Warriors CEO Cameron George said: “The landscape of the competition has changed dramatically.

Politis rarely makes public outbursts.
“If we’re sitting here now with 22 rounds to go, the chances of making the top four, top six or top eight are far more achievable than trying to do it with 13 games left.

“Are they going to change the draw? That in itself makes it a new competition.”

Sharks boss Dino Mezzatesta says the same thing.

“We’ve played finals football for the last five years,” he said. “It would be devastating for our fans to miss out this year because it’s a shortened season.

“We lost really close games to Souths and Storm but showed enough to think we could make the finals again. Under the new format, it makes it so much harder.”

The New Zealand Warriors are already at a disadvantage of having to move from their homes and families in New Zealand to set up a permanent base in Sydney.

They also had to give up a home game to play the Canberra Raiders on the Gold Coast.

Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill declined to get involved.

“Once we know the competition structure, we can have the debate,” he said. “There are various models ranging from a seven-game season to 15 games.”

Undefeated Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is ready for a fight to keep his competition points.

“I promise you I would fight this for my players, our sponsors and every single Raiders fan,” he said.

“I’m positive Trent Robinson, who is on the innovations committee, understands how hard players work in preparation for the start of the season — and deserve their results.”

There has been much talk of club bias on the Apollo innovation committee.

While Robinson and Wayne Bennett are there, so too is Raiders boss Don Furner and Wayne Pearce, whose son Mitchell is undefeated this year at the Knights.

 

[greenBV4]

Lol..... Typical
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...r/news-story/97391f1d00c28c3fbe402ee3ae0f9ef1


Roosters boss Nick Politis demands the NRL restart the competition ladder
The winless Roosters have demanded the NRL restart the competition ladder once the league resumes play with Nick Politis claiming the integrity of the sport is at stake.

Phil Rothfield, Sports Editor-at-Large, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
April 11, 2020 6:34pm


FOXSPORTS1:31

• ‘Act of God’ ramps up NRL-Nine blood feud
• Matty Johns: The changes that can save rugby league

The NRL’s most influential official, billionaire Roosters boss Nick Politis, is demanding the season be restarted on May 28 with all 16 clubs on zero points to protect the integrity of the competition.

In a rare public outburst as the Roosters attempt to become the first side in 37 years to win a treble of premierships, Politis says the competition will become “meaningless” if it resumes over 13 games.

“If you change the draw, you’ve got to start again,” he said.

It is estimated clubs will need a minimum 16 points to make the top eight under a 15-round competition format or 22 points to make the top four.

“It’s like changing the race from a Melbourne Cup (two miles) to a Doncaster (one mile) after it’s already started,” Politis said.

“It becomes meaningless and makes it almost mathematically impossible for the bottom sides to make the top four.

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“We have been preparing all along for a 24-round season. That’s why we rested Boyd Cordner for the first two games.”

Politis insists the NRL should play out the full season into November if the premiership table is to stay as is.

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Test cricket is back! Watch Australia v Sri Lanka live Foxtel Now 10 day free trial*

“This isn’t just about the Roosters,” he said. “It’s about the integrity of the competition and giving every club and their fans a fair chance.”

The NRL is still undecided about a schedule for the resumption of the competition.

There is still talk of two conferences, playing each other twice, or another 13 more rounds to allow each club to play each other once. Now there are suggestions of adding rivalry rounds to stretch the season out.

The New Zealand Warriors and the Cronulla Sharks are supporting Politis.

Warriors CEO Cameron George said: “The landscape of the competition has changed dramatically.

Politis rarely makes public outbursts.
“If we’re sitting here now with 22 rounds to go, the chances of making the top four, top six or top eight are far more achievable than trying to do it with 13 games left.

“Are they going to change the draw? That in itself makes it a new competition.”

Sharks boss Dino Mezzatesta says the same thing.

“We’ve played finals football for the last five years,” he said. “It would be devastating for our fans to miss out this year because it’s a shortened season.

“We lost really close games to Souths and Storm but showed enough to think we could make the finals again. Under the new format, it makes it so much harder.”

The New Zealand Warriors are already at a disadvantage of having to move from their homes and families in New Zealand to set up a permanent base in Sydney.

They also had to give up a home game to play the Canberra Raiders on the Gold Coast.

Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill declined to get involved.

“Once we know the competition structure, we can have the debate,” he said. “There are various models ranging from a seven-game season to 15 games.”

Undefeated Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is ready for a fight to keep his competition points.

“I promise you I would fight this for my players, our sponsors and every single Raiders fan,” he said.

“I’m positive Trent Robinson, who is on the innovations committee, understands how hard players work in preparation for the start of the season — and deserve their results.”

There has been much talk of club bias on the Apollo innovation committee.

While Robinson and Wayne Bennett are there, so too is Raiders boss Don Furner and Wayne Pearce, whose son Mitchell is undefeated this year at the Knights.

Of course a team who hasn't won het would want point reset, no bias there at all

They turned up to those 2 games, played them with no disadvantage, and lost - simple as that

Is he saying that if the team knew it was a shorter season they would of then won the games?

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

Of course a team who hasn't won het would want point reset, no bias there at all

They turned up to those 2 games, played them with no disadvantage, and lost - simple as that

Is he saying that if the team knew it was a shorter season they would of then won the games?

Easts wouldn’t have rested players if they knew it was going to be a short season. Think that’s where Nick is coming from.

 

[From Where the Sun Rises]

Lol..... Typical
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...r/news-story/97391f1d00c28c3fbe402ee3ae0f9ef1


Roosters boss Nick Politis demands the NRL restart the competition ladder
The winless Roosters have demanded the NRL restart the competition ladder once the league resumes play with Nick Politis claiming the integrity of the sport is at stake.

Phil Rothfield, Sports Editor-at-Large, The Daily Telegraph
Subscriber only
|
April 11, 2020 6:34pm


FOXSPORTS1:31

• ‘Act of God’ ramps up NRL-Nine blood feud
• Matty Johns: The changes that can save rugby league

The NRL’s most influential official, billionaire Roosters boss Nick Politis, is demanding the season be restarted on May 28 with all 16 clubs on zero points to protect the integrity of the competition.

In a rare public outburst as the Roosters attempt to become the first side in 37 years to win a treble of premierships, Politis says the competition will become “meaningless” if it resumes over 13 games.

“If you change the draw, you’ve got to start again,” he said.

It is estimated clubs will need a minimum 16 points to make the top eight under a 15-round competition format or 22 points to make the top four.

“It’s like changing the race from a Melbourne Cup (two miles) to a Doncaster (one mile) after it’s already started,” Politis said.

“It becomes meaningless and makes it almost mathematically impossible for the bottom sides to make the top four.

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“We have been preparing all along for a 24-round season. That’s why we rested Boyd Cordner for the first two games.”

Politis insists the NRL should play out the full season into November if the premiership table is to stay as is.

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Test cricket is back! Watch Australia v Sri Lanka live Foxtel Now 10 day free trial*

“This isn’t just about the Roosters,” he said. “It’s about the integrity of the competition and giving every club and their fans a fair chance.”

The NRL is still undecided about a schedule for the resumption of the competition.

There is still talk of two conferences, playing each other twice, or another 13 more rounds to allow each club to play each other once. Now there are suggestions of adding rivalry rounds to stretch the season out.

The New Zealand Warriors and the Cronulla Sharks are supporting Politis.

Warriors CEO Cameron George said: “The landscape of the competition has changed dramatically.

Politis rarely makes public outbursts.
“If we’re sitting here now with 22 rounds to go, the chances of making the top four, top six or top eight are far more achievable than trying to do it with 13 games left.

“Are they going to change the draw? That in itself makes it a new competition.”

Sharks boss Dino Mezzatesta says the same thing.

“We’ve played finals football for the last five years,” he said. “It would be devastating for our fans to miss out this year because it’s a shortened season.

“We lost really close games to Souths and Storm but showed enough to think we could make the finals again. Under the new format, it makes it so much harder.”

The New Zealand Warriors are already at a disadvantage of having to move from their homes and families in New Zealand to set up a permanent base in Sydney.

They also had to give up a home game to play the Canberra Raiders on the Gold Coast.

Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill declined to get involved.

“Once we know the competition structure, we can have the debate,” he said. “There are various models ranging from a seven-game season to 15 games.”

Undefeated Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is ready for a fight to keep his competition points.

“I promise you I would fight this for my players, our sponsors and every single Raiders fan,” he said.

“I’m positive Trent Robinson, who is on the innovations committee, understands how hard players work in preparation for the start of the season — and deserve their results.”

There has been much talk of club bias on the Apollo innovation committee.

While Robinson and Wayne Bennett are there, so too is Raiders boss Don Furner and Wayne Pearce, whose son Mitchell is undefeated this year at the Knights.

Quality bait from Uncle Nick. The lake will be a-jumpin’.

 

[Perth Red]

From what I am reading and hearing, Nine wants out, or a new contract drawn up as current situation means NRL has failed to fulfil obligations.

they have two motivators at play, one they announced cost savings this year and will look bad to their shareholders and the market if they don’t deliver, and more importantly I think they are making a play to get the current contract extended by a few years so they don’t go into negotiations later this year for 2023 onwards and risk a bidding war with ten.

 

[From Where the Sun Rises]

Is there really a 7-match model being discussed? Surely that’s not accurate...

 

[Perth Red]

Quality bait from Uncle Nick. The lake will be a-jumpin’.

even at a time of crisis, club self interest doesn’t take long to bubble to the surface.

 

[From Where the Sun Rises]

even at a time of crisis, club self interest doesn’t take long to bubble to the surface.

Doubtless. Emphasis on the word competition at all times, doubly so from the more successful clubs.

 

[jim_57]

Easts wouldn’t have rested players if they knew it was going to be a short season. Think that’s where Nick is coming from.

By the start of round one it was looking pretty much inevitable the season would be disrupted sooner rather than later. Resting in the first 2 weeks of the year? In other words they were still injured.

 

[From Where the Sun Rises]

By the start of round one it was looking pretty much inevitable the season would be disrupted sooner rather than later. Resting in the first 2 weeks of the year? In other words they were still injured.

Dunno if I’d agree with that first sentence.

 

[Perth Red]

Nrl needs cash, a 15 round season clubs playing each other once plus 3 magic weekends is way to go. Venues Suncorp, bankwest and put the third out to tender to the highest state/stadium bidder.
That gives nrl 6 big events plus finals to get the money flowing in. As much as I love international footy I’d reschedule ashes tour and pacific tests to next year and play through till end of November. That gives 6months of footy if it kicks off end of May. Nine can come to the party or f**k off and offer it to seven or ten.

 

[jim_57]

Dunno if I’d agree with that first sentence.

Look back at the timeline, the first round was 50/50 to go ahead with/without crowds. Townsville were unsure whether there'd be a crowd to open their new stadium up until late the afternoon of the game. Crowds for round 2 were banned during round 1. There was strong speculation round 2 wouldn't go ahead at all, at that point the NRL was one if the last pro-sports comps in the world still running.

Besides why would any club be "resting" a player during round 1 or 2? At that point of the season surely they're either good to go or they're not.

 

[jim_57]

Nrl needs cash, a 15 round season clubs playing each other once plus 3 magic weekends is way to go. Venues Suncorp, bankwest and put the third out to tender to the highest state/stadium bidder.
That gives nrl 6 big events plus finals to get the money flowing in. As much as I love international footy I’d reschedule ashes tour and pacific tests to next year and play through till end of November. That gives 6months of footy if it kicks off end of May. Nine can come to the party or f**k off and offer it to seven or ten.

Doubt anyone is going to bid when crowds most likely won't be allowed.

We'll see, I can see a rolling back of restrictions but I wouldn't be at all surprised if we don't see crowds at any NRL games for the rest of the year.

 

[Perth Red]

Doubt anyone is going to bid when crowds most likely won't be allowed.

that’s why I’d aim for the magic weekends at end of season. Hopefully by late sept/Oct we’ll be back outside again.

 

[From Where the Sun Rises]

Look back at the timeline, the first round was 50/50 to go ahead with/without crowds. Townsville were unsure whether there'd be a crowd to open their new stadium up until late the afternoon of the game. Crowds for round 2 were banned during round 1. There was strong speculation round 2 wouldn't go ahead at all, at that point the NRL was one if the last pro-sports comps in the world still running.

Besides why would any club be "resting" a player during round 1 or 2? At that point of the season surely they're either good to go or they're not.

All that may be true, but you just knew the NRL, not being a particularly wealthy org, were gonna play on to the last possible breath.