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Expansion (un)officially dead

some11

Referee
Messages
23,314
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/a-...s-expansion-plans-on-ice-20200322-p54cql.html

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo raised the prospect of a second Brisbane team and the idea of a new local derby from 2023, such was the desire to push the go button on expansion for the next TV rights deal.

But now the game is ready to scrap expansion plans altogether as they brace for a potential five-year aftershock from the coronavirus pandemic that threatens to cripple businesses around the world.

The groundwork for a 17th team to enter the competition in the next broadcast cycle had already been done and, by the end of this year, the NRL was meant to give the tick of approval to a second team in Brisbane. At least that was the plan.

The bidders had started to line up coaches and discussions were being had about what roster structure changes would need to be made to ensure there was enough depth in talent to cover for an additional team.

At best, plans are now on the backburner. But the reality of the situation has many inside NRL headquarters convinced expansion in 2023 is now dead.
 

Hello, I'm The Doctor

First Grade
Messages
9,124
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/a-...s-expansion-plans-on-ice-20200322-p54cql.html

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo raised the prospect of a second Brisbane team and the idea of a new local derby from 2023, such was the desire to push the go button on expansion for the next TV rights deal.

But now the game is ready to scrap expansion plans altogether as they brace for a potential five-year aftershock from the coronavirus pandemic that threatens to cripple businesses around the world.

The groundwork for a 17th team to enter the competition in the next broadcast cycle had already been done and, by the end of this year, the NRL was meant to give the tick of approval to a second team in Brisbane. At least that was the plan.

The bidders had started to line up coaches and discussions were being had about what roster structure changes would need to be made to ensure there was enough depth in talent to cover for an additional team.

At best, plans are now on the backburner. But the reality of the situation has many inside NRL headquarters convinced expansion in 2023 is now dead.

Great journalism, so many quotes.

This guy probably knows about as much on the topic as the average bloke on here. He is probs right that expansion is off for a while (relocations are a different matter). But thats just logic, not a story...
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
65,420
lol, Brisbane wasnt expansion anyway, just consolidation. Probably better to wait until we have a better CEO and Chairman running the game and reboot proper expansion.
 
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