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New-club hopefuls look for direction
Stuart Honeysett and Peter Kogoy
August 23, 2012 12:00AM
THE consortiums lobbying to become the NRL's 17th and 18th teams have called on the ARL Commission to make a decision on expansion now the $1 billion broadcast deal is out of the way.
The prospects for expansion took a nosedive on Tuesday with both commission chairman John Grant and Nine Network head David Gyngell questioning the value of having an extra game for either the networks or the competition.
With Nine and Fox Sports securing the media rights for five years and the commission focused on making sure the 16 existing NRL clubs are financially viable, it means any plans to expand the competition are almost certainly on hold until 2018.
That could be unfavourable for the consortiums already lining up to share in the game's spoils, including West Coast Pirates, Central Coast Bears, Brisbane Bombers, Central Queensland and Ipswich.
West Coast chief executive John Sackson said yesterday he was hopeful the commission may announce a decision on expansion before the end of next month, because it was important they all had some direction of where the game is going.
"We're delighted for that outstanding deal to be done, which is going to benefit the code significantly, but we're anxiously awaiting the view of the ARL Commission's vision for the game," he said.
"It's very important for all of the contenders to know where they stand. The waiting game and the uncertainty can't continue indefinitely.
"We know that all of the contenders have been spending money and resources in putting forward their credentials over the years.
"There is the expectation there, sooner or later, that the commission should signal to the interested markets what the future holds."
Central Coast chief executive Greg Florimo agreed and said the Bears wouldn't be disheartened by Grant's comments.
"We're not closing the door on the Bears' push to be considered for inclusion in any expanded competition down the road," he said.
"We will only ramp up our lobbying efforts with the commission now the new media deal has been announced. We still want to be a voice to be reckoned with."
Former ARL chief executive John Quayle, the architect behind the code's expansion 20 years ago, said he agreed with the commission's plans to consolidate its position but warned that the AFL was moving quickly.
"Rugby league could learn from the way in which the AFL has gone about its expansion plan in western Sydney," he said.
"They realised it would take more than one or two years for GWS to establish a foothold, let alone to win games.
"The AFL are looking 10 years ahead."
http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport...ok-for-direction/story-fnca0von-1226456123885
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Stuart Honeysett and Peter Kogoy
August 23, 2012 12:00AM
THE consortiums lobbying to become the NRL's 17th and 18th teams have called on the ARL Commission to make a decision on expansion now the $1 billion broadcast deal is out of the way.
The prospects for expansion took a nosedive on Tuesday with both commission chairman John Grant and Nine Network head David Gyngell questioning the value of having an extra game for either the networks or the competition.
With Nine and Fox Sports securing the media rights for five years and the commission focused on making sure the 16 existing NRL clubs are financially viable, it means any plans to expand the competition are almost certainly on hold until 2018.
That could be unfavourable for the consortiums already lining up to share in the game's spoils, including West Coast Pirates, Central Coast Bears, Brisbane Bombers, Central Queensland and Ipswich.
West Coast chief executive John Sackson said yesterday he was hopeful the commission may announce a decision on expansion before the end of next month, because it was important they all had some direction of where the game is going.
"We're delighted for that outstanding deal to be done, which is going to benefit the code significantly, but we're anxiously awaiting the view of the ARL Commission's vision for the game," he said.
"It's very important for all of the contenders to know where they stand. The waiting game and the uncertainty can't continue indefinitely.
"We know that all of the contenders have been spending money and resources in putting forward their credentials over the years.
"There is the expectation there, sooner or later, that the commission should signal to the interested markets what the future holds."
Central Coast chief executive Greg Florimo agreed and said the Bears wouldn't be disheartened by Grant's comments.
"We're not closing the door on the Bears' push to be considered for inclusion in any expanded competition down the road," he said.
"We will only ramp up our lobbying efforts with the commission now the new media deal has been announced. We still want to be a voice to be reckoned with."
Former ARL chief executive John Quayle, the architect behind the code's expansion 20 years ago, said he agreed with the commission's plans to consolidate its position but warned that the AFL was moving quickly.
"Rugby league could learn from the way in which the AFL has gone about its expansion plan in western Sydney," he said.
"They realised it would take more than one or two years for GWS to establish a foothold, let alone to win games.
"The AFL are looking 10 years ahead."
http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport...ok-for-direction/story-fnca0von-1226456123885
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