Brisbane Broncos wager on strong future
THE Broncos took further steps to fortify themselves against the possible arrival of a second Brisbane team yesterday as one of their NRL rivals - Cronulla - conceded that its survival hung on a vote of members on Monday night.
In a move which strengthened the growing links between NRL clubs and betting agencies, the Broncos announced they had extended their sponsorship with Sportingbet for a further three years, a deal believed to be worth $1.5 million.
The announcement comes with the game in the grip of a betting scandal as police investigate suspicious gambling activity surrounding last year's round 24 game between Canterbury and North Queensland.
It also shapes as another intriguing sub-plot in the battle for Brisbane, given the consortium bidding to enter the NRL in 2013 has strong ties to another internet betting agency, Centrebet.
Brisbane chief executive Paul White has declined to engage in a war of words with the rival consortium and was not about to start yesterday.
"We're conducting our business, we're not looking over our shoulder," White said.
The Brisbane consortium will host an official launch early next week when it is expected to make several announcements with a view to entering the premiership in 2013. The consortium has made no secret of its links to Centrebet. Nor has it kept secret its plans with regard to coaches and players, having been linked with Mal Meninga, Darren Lockyer and Craig Bellamy.
However, its future and that of the other bidding parties - Ipswich, Perth, Central Coast, Central Queensland and Papua New Guinea - will be in the hands of the independent commission when it takes over the running of the game in May.
While the Broncos continue to prosper, Cronulla's financial plight was laid bare by officials in a post on the club's website.
A vote of members on Monday night which will determine whether the club presses ahead with plans to develop land around its home ground of Toyota Park. But in the lead-up to the vote, officials warned the future could not be guaranteed if the proposal was not passed. Under the heading "development list of frequently asked questions", the club revealed it had $11.4m worth of debt against the club's property, which was valued at $8.3m.
In response to the question of what would happen should the resolutions not be approved, the club said: "The development agreement with the consortium will not be able to be entered into.
"The club is not in a position to advance the property development on its own financially. For many years our club has struggled for financial security due to the inability to secure a viable outcome for our land holdings."
Tellingly, it added: "This proposal provides that outcome and a vote against the proposal on Monday night would risk the long-term and also the short-term financial viability of the club as our lenders would question our commitment to putting in place the strategy and plans to repay our debt."
The Sharks have lived on the breadline for years, hoping their survival will be guaranteed by the development of land surrounding Toyota Park.
Meanwhile, club chairmen today will select their short list of potential commissioners after officials set a February 25 deadline on nominations for the inaugural independent commission.
News Limited chief operating officer Peter Macourt, Australian Rugby League chairman John Chalk, Queensland Rugby League director Terry Mackenroth and Souths chairman Nick Pappas agreed to the deadline yesterday.
The NRL continued to prepare for the commission yesterday by poaching former Eels chief executive Andrew Hill from the AFL.
