D-Day for the NRL’s broadcast battle
Rugby league’s seemingly bitter broadcasting battle is set to reach a climax before the weekend as the respective heads of the Nine Network and Foxtel prepare to eyeball each other and thrash out plans for the remainder of this season.
Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany and Nine boss Hugh Marks are expected to join ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys at a meeting as early as Thursday, those discussions likely to determine the schedule for 2020 and the amount of money the NRL has to dispense to clubs and players. V’landys will arrive at the meeting safe in the knowledge the game has up to $250 million in their back pocket, albeit in the form of a line of credit from British banks.
From seemingly being in a position of weakness, V’landys and the ARL Commission now occupy a position of strength amid Nine’s protestations over the NRL’s plans to resume on May 28.
The talks have become even more crucial given the developing situation at the Warriors. The New Zealand side was expected to leave Auckland this weekend so they could base themselves in Australia in preparation for a resumption.
However, talks on Wednesday between Warriors officials and NRL powerbrokers — V’landys and NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg were on the call — ended with their departure being delayed pending further talks with the Australian and New Zealand governments.
Fellow clubs had agreed to return to training on May 4 to accommodate the Warriors and ensure all sides resumed on an equal footing. That may now change, although The Australian understands thought has also been given to the Warriors sitting out the opening round when the season resumes.
That would ensure they have an additional week to prepare for playing again. The NRL is expected to create a draw that allows them to make up games as the year progresses, the likelihood that the season will end up being played over as many as 20 regular season rounds.
Greenberg and chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo held talks with Fox Sports chief Peter Campbell and head of television Steve Crawley on Wednesday, where it is understood the pair backed the NRL’s plans to resume the game.
The preferred draw as it stands would result in each team playing each other once before a series of marquee matches are incorporated into another five weeks.
That would give the broadcasters more premium content and alleviate the concerns of clubs who lost games before the season went into hibernation.
The finals would then be played before the grand final was held in late October. While the SCG is scheduled to be out of action on that date due to the T20 cricket World Cup, there has been talk that the tournament could be postponed until next year.
Regardless, there is every chance that crowds will be locked out of venues until next season, meaning the destination for the grand final holds less sway.
Delany and Marks will have a decisive say. While Foxtel has kept their cards close to their chest in recent weeks, the Nine Network has been on the front foot.
In a statement to the stock exchange, they claimed they would save $130 million if rugby league was not played this year. That claim has been interpreted as a preference by Nine for the NRL to place rugby league in cotton wool until next year.
They then publicly chastised the game’s administration, placing Greenberg firmly in the crosshairs. Their final position will hinge on the discussions with V’landys and Delany.
The Warriors are among the clubs waiting on the outcome. Warriors chair Rob Croot and chief executive Cameron George spoke to Greenberg and V’landys on Wednesday and stressed the need to ensure the welfare of the players and the competitive equity when the competition restarts.
Clubs and coaches will hold separate meetings on Friday where the Warriors’ situation is likely to be front and centre.
“We want the Warriors to be part of the 2020 season and we are doing everything we can to not only make that happen but provide the support they need at a family level,” V’landys said.
“It’s important to understand that our aim to restart the competition on May 28 is still six weeks away. We’re not proposing to start the competition next week.
“Accordingly we have ample time to analyse the data and ensure the infection rate is at such a low level there is minimal risk to our players or the community.
“It also gives us time to make all the necessary arrangements for the Warriors.”
Greenberg said the NRL understood the need to address the Warriors’ issues within current government guidelines.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...e/news-story/fe43786079c2c4b72ce7d9df7ca92081
