So what's the rest of that money being spent on? The existing clubs will never ever ever be profitable and never have been. If that's the prerequisite for expansion it will never happen. It's just yet another excuse from an incompetent administration that hasn't got the ability to grow the sport, even though this is their job. They're too busy f**king the rules, bending over for tv companies and feathering their own nests to do what they're actually supposed to be doing. And expansion only "dilutes the quality" when the NRL is failing to grow the player pool. And it is failing, badly.
" Where did the rest of the money go"
Firstly the code actually lost money in 2012.An extra $5m per annum paid out in admin costs ,wiped in 2016
Greentea is earning half the money Smith earned.
Try paying for the Titans(expansion club) until sold Newcastle until sold ,West Tigers(Balmain side),loans to the Dragons(until part sold),to the Sharks re legals,Touch football takeover,now paying the Jillaroos for the first time(need more),increase in extras to all clubs above grants,money set aside for contributions to new infrastructure.
The admin was paying each club $40,000 for every Monday night game,est $1m each year to cover loss of attendees.
Money for indigenous programs,health programs,Men of League,grassroots,stop violence against women programs,money to assist every player from U20 to NRL for further education,depression programs.
Match payment assistance for Kiwi players when they play Australia.Programs in the Pacific Islands and PNG.
As explained time and time again,the big money does not come into the game til 2018.
Anyone would think there is some bleeding vault in Moore Park overflowing with monopoly money unused or planned to use.
Every man women and child wants to grow and expand the game.A no brainer.
As the fumblers have shown you need large quantities and even then you can stuff it.
" The existing clubs will never be profitable" ,the Storm for a start are expecting their first profit this year.
Another crystal ball prediction,surprise.If current clubs in heartland areas " will never be profitable" ,then rest your soul, expansion clubs some in non heartland areas will never be profitable,based on your logic.