NRL expansion being dropped from agenda until at least 2015
EXPANSION is set to be officially removed from rugby league's discussion table until 2015 when the ARL Commission releases its strategic plan next week.
Expansion will not happen under the record $1.025bn broadcast rights deal which runs until the end of 2017, with the ARLC set to reveal the discussion will be moved off the agenda until 2015.
The strategic plan was seen as the second priority on the ARLC agenda when the eight commissioners moved into power last February and finally the game's vision for the future will be revealed at a press conference in Sydney on Monday.
Among the major issues stakeholders have been waiting to be clarified is the debate about potential expansion. Bid teams have tried to lobby their way into the NRL from Brisbane, Rockhampton, Ipswich, Perth, Wellington, Central Coast and Papua New Guinea.
A major stumbling block to expansion is how a ninth game would be broadcast on free-to-air television under current anti-siphoning legislation when the Nine Network is not interested in showing a fourth game each week.
Nine Network boss David Gyngell was dismissive of expansion at the broadcast rights announcement in August, but bid teams have pressed ahead hoping for clear direction from the ARLC.
Brisbane Bombers chairman Craig Davison knows expansion may not occur in the next five years, but like the rest of the optimistic franchises working towards inclusion he hopes the ARLC deliver a clear and concise direction about what regions they're most interested in exploring in the future.
"I look forward to the clarification from the ARL Commission," Davison said.
"The reality is Brisbane does need a second team. I know we won't be the only bidding team out there but from the Brisbane Bombers point of view we've made a good start.
"We cannot have a city this size and only one team."
All 16 NRL club chief executives have received briefings about the strategic plan, but the full details remain a closely guarded secret continuing the strong corporate governance that has developed under rugby league's new structure.
Broncos chief executive Paul White said he was excited to see what the ARLC has planned for the coming years and how the game will unite behind one clear direction.
"It's vitally important that our game comes up with the right strategy to drive the performance of the game as a whole," White said.
"A lot has been spoken about the need to align all areas of our great game and all the stakeholders and that is where the strategy document can provide a really good reference point for the way we utilise the resources, the way we allocate funding and the way we drive performance as well.
"It is a great opportunity for our game and I know everyone will take it with both hands."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...il-at-least-2015/story-e6frexnr-1226503386629
