Corona Virus and NRL Games

[TruSaint]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/10/nrl-restart-date-paul-kelly-brad-hazzard. Too Early

Spot on.

“I don’t think they [the NRL] are a law unto themselves,” Kelly said. “Some of the players and coaches may think so, but they’re part of society and they have a part – as we have all done – to support not only safety for themselves but for all of us."

Edit:- Reeks of desperation when global sports worth 100x the value of the NRL are shut down. Leave it to the medics and science.

 

[hazzbeen]

Spot on.

“I don’t think they [the NRL] are a law unto themselves,” Kelly said. “Some of the players and coaches may think so, but they’re part of society and they have a part – as we have all done – to support not only safety for themselves but for all of us."

Edit:- Reeks of desperation when global sports worth 100x the value of the NRL are shut down. Leave it to the medics and science.

Its desperation on their behalf .....

 

[TruSaint]

Its desperation on their behalf .....

Thats what i meant brother. Yes. 100%.

 

[Dragon David]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/apr/10/nrl-restart-date-paul-kelly-brad-hazzard. Too Early

I wrote my post on this thread without seeing Paul Kelly's comments in the Guardian until now. So I'm still sticking with what I said that there is Buckley's chance of league re-starting in late May 2020.

I do miss watching the games as they have been part of my life for decades (from late 1958) and I miss seeing the Dragons playing - always could not wait for the seasons to start after the cricket. But, in this current pandemic climate that we are part of, everyone should be adhering to the rules without fail and therefore, the league should be deadset sure that everything will be fine for the players, coaches, physios, medics, etc before the first ball is kicked.

 

[hazzbeen]

Thats what i meant brother. Yes. 100%.

Exactly Tru , why would anyone put themselves and the rest of the Nation at risk because they want to play a game of footy .....

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

I can’t see how the clubs / players will be allowed to cross borders.
The politicians won’t allow it.

The uproar from all quarters will not allow it to happen and keep in mind that if only one player or club official turns positive, it would be shut down immediately.

This would kill off any chance for a later start in the year, if any.

I’ll stand corrected but l think l have more chance winning lotto than the nrl starting up any time soon.

 

[BLM01]

I wrote in an earlier post about what the Deputy said in that he would support the league starting in May. Whilst he is all for it, the Health Minister has bobbed up and questioned the feasibility and he has not been consulted. It is only fair that the Health Minister gives his opinion seeing that this virus is a massive health issue.

In the case of the Horse Racing industry as at 17 March 2020, except for Tasmania, racing is proceeding without crowds and with a range of protocols in place to help achieve this, whilst protecting the health and wellbeing of industry staff, participants and the wider community. So, based on this you might be right that the league games will happen in late May if the NRL and ARL heads get the green light from the Health Minister based on the precedence that the Horse Racing industry has set.

Both are high income earners and popular spectator sports (at this stage only on TV) and the government knows that income for these industries is essential - even though not essential services.

I’ll back the premier who indicated that restrictions maybe loosened in a few weeks and the deputy premier over the health minister who presided over the ruby Princess...the same health minister can Bob up but he may not have a job in the same capacity in the very near future. Don’t think any of those 2 need his full approval.

 

[BLM01]

I can’t see how the clubs / players will be allowed to cross borders.
The politicians won’t allow it.

The uproar from all quarters will not allow it to happen and keep in mind that if only one player or club official turns positive, it would be shut down immediately.

This would kill off any chance for a later start in the year, if any.

I’ll stand corrected but l think l have more chance winning lotto than the nrl starting up any time soon.

No faithOKB. Quick as it come and quick as it can change or go. Day to day proposition. That is what we have seen in this whirlwind if the past 4/6 wks. And you seriously want to put winning lotto as a higher chance than current restrictions getting loosened to some degree in the next 4-6 weeks. I hope you don’t invest in that one.

 

[Willow]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/04/09/may-28-arl-commission-announces-date-for-nrl-to-restart/

The thing I like most is that the NRL appear to have ditched this 2 conferences idea.

As for a comp restart on May 28, it's a bold proposal. Seems to have some backing from NSW govt but still plenty of hurdles to go through yet.

The number of safeguards that need to be put in place will be massive, but really no bigger than security safeguards for a major event - except it will need to be ongoing for months.

Obviously empty stadiums, limited venues, testing of everyone before and after.

One thing in the NRL's favour is that testing will become easier in the coming weeks.

It will be interesting to see the final proposal, should it get that far.

I've said this before, Rugby League has a record of playing on through hard times. I know current events are also being driven by broadcast revenue, but there is that odd pragmatism that has always been there throughout the game's history.

 

[giboz71]

What’s the deal with the broadcast money if/when the game starts up again in May or whenever?

Nine has already indicated that playing games in empty stadiums is an inferior product and won’t be paying based on the current deal.

Given the currents deals are now effectively void given there are no games, will new deals be negotiated?

I have a feeling the players very cleverly negotiated full pay for 2 months, thinking the game would just up and start again and the rivers of gold from Nine and Foxtel would start flowing again. So effectively, they would have lost nothing with regards to their pay.

Not so sure it’s that simple though, even if the comp does start up in May (which I highly doubt).

 

[BLM01]

What’s the deal with the broadcast money if/when the game starts up again in May or whenever?

Nine has already indicated that playing games in empty stadiums is an inferior product and won’t be paying based on the current deal.

Given the currents deals are now effectively void given there are no games, will new deals be negotiated?

I have a feeling the players very cleverly negotiated full pay for 2 months, thinking the game would just up and start again and the rivers of gold from Nine and Foxtel would start flowing again. So effectively, they would have lost nothing with regards to their pay.

Not so sure it’s that simple though, even if the comp does start up in May (which I highly doubt).

There are others waiting in the wings if 9 and Foxtel who are struggling anyway..want to give up the opportunity.

 

[Dragon David]

What’s the deal with the broadcast money if/when the game starts up again in May or whenever?

Nine has already indicated that playing games in empty stadiums is an inferior product and won’t be paying based on the current deal.

Given the currents deals are now effectively void given there are no games, will new deals be negotiated?

I have a feeling the players very cleverly negotiated full pay for 2 months, thinking the game would just up and start again and the rivers of gold from Nine and Foxtel would start flowing again. So effectively, they would have lost nothing with regards to their pay.

Not so sure it’s that simple though, even if the comp does start up in May (which I highly doubt).

This could end up being a bigger problem than the virus itself particularly if the salaries for each player needs to be renegotiated.

If the broadcasters want to renegotiate reduced funding for the broadcasting rights to recoup lost advertising revenue and showing a product lacking in atmosphere due to no spectators at the grounds, the money available to players would definitely have to be reduced. How will all these reductions going to be negotiated? Will the players' managers get involved and haggle over each players amount - which could lead to many wanting to leave the clubs and negotiate with another club. Can you see the dramas here?

I think that if salaries are to be reduced, the NRL needs to advise all and sundry of the new salary cap once determined and then calculate the percentage lost and reduce the players pay by that percentage. The Players' Association and Managers of the players then need to just give the ok and then the price for each player adjusted accordingly. I've mentioned a drop by a third as a likely figure in my earlier post.

If something like this is adopted then the long drawn out negotiations hopefully could be eliminated. Has anybody else have any other suggestion?

 

[TruSaint]

There are others waiting in the wings if 9 and Foxtel who are struggling anyway..want to give up the opportunity.

But Fox and 9 have another 3 years of a 5 year deal, worth 2 bil..

Why would they pay for no product ? Its not their fault, or the NRL that a pandemic has hit.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...tv-broadcast-rights-deal-20191025-p534bg.html

 

[BLM01]

But Fox and 9 have another 3 years of a 5 year deal, worth 2 bil..

Why would they pay for no product ? Its not their fault, or the NRL that a pandemic has hit.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...tv-broadcast-rights-deal-20191025-p534bg.html

That s fine they dont have to. If they want to walk away as what has been eluded to by the media is someone else will take over is all I am saying

 

[giboz71]

That s fine they dont have to. If they want to walk away as what has been eluded to by the media is someone else will take over is all I am saying

Possibly.

But I somehow doubt a major broadcast deal with another player would be signed off by May 28th.

That’s only 6 weeks away.

 

[matPORTS]

I am struggling to understand...

All levels of government have made it clear that social distancing measures are here to stay for at least six months. We are currently on what is widely regarded as 'stage three' restrictions. Governments have indicated that there may be some room to ease the current restrictions within the next month - which I assume means going back to 'stage two' or even as far as 'stage one' level restrictions.

How is playing, and training for, Rugby League exercising best social distancing practices? This also requires the use of gyms + other indoor sporting & wellness facilities, in addition to training in big bootcamp style groups outdoors. Each of these are strictly forbidden under each stage of the social distancing restrictions (correct me if I am wrong).

These same social distancing restrictions have forced many businesses to restrict their level of services or close altogether. What makes the NRL so special here?

 

[hazzbeen]

I am struggling to understand...

All levels of government have made it clear that social distancing measures are here to stay for at least six months. We are currently on what is widely regarded as 'stage three' restrictions. Governments have indicated that there may be some room to ease the current restrictions within the next month - which I assume means going back to 'stage two' or even as far as 'stage one' level restrictions.

How is playing, and training for, Rugby League exercising best social distancing practices? This also requires the use of gyms + other indoor sporting & wellness facilities, in addition to training in big bootcamp style groups outdoors. Each of these are strictly forbidden under each stage of the social distancing restrictions (correct me if I am wrong).

These same social distancing restrictions have forced many businesses to restrict their level of services or close altogether. What makes the NRL so special here?

Exactly this , do the NRL think they are a law of their own .....

 

[giboz71]

It’s basically a Hail Mary by the NRL to salvage the status quo. They need to get back on the field to protect their interests.

If the season doesn’t restart soon, then the question of clubs folding and reduced player salaries is back on the table. No one wants to consider that.

What this has told me is that the players and clubs don’t want to give up anything and all that matters is the broadcast money starts flowing again so everybody gets paid.

 

[Dragon David]

Exactly this , do the NRL think they are a law of their own .....

As someone has already said on this forum, other sports with much more credence in salary payments (e.g. Premier League, NBA, NBL, Tennis Circuit, Golf Tournaments) are not looking at an early return to the games but making sure that there is greener light to proceed. The NRL, which appears to have a law of itself, are just so desperate for games to come back on to get some money coming in. As fans, we are as well, but logically, all must be clear cut and no stones unturned to ensure a safe return to footy.

 

[Willow]

It really has nothing to do with the NRL being a law unto themselves. They are within their rights to put forward a proposal. But at the end of the day, the decision will be made by the chief medical officer and state departments.

That said, Wayne Pearce's announcement looked like he was putting the cart before the horse.