IM still waiting for an explanation as to how negotiating and selling the TV rights to 9 without meeting with other bidders was a good move. Gallop got crucified for the same thing but the spin doctors on here wanna act like its genius move because Netflix or stan might be interested lol that is a couple TV deals away atleast before our internet can handle it. This genius move actually increased the value of the AFL deal, our biggest competitor ffs.
He got a billion dollars and crowds went backwards, as if he has any f**king clue how to grow them.
Something else Gallop never did was hire a negotiations firm to consult and advise on how to get the best deal for the TV rights.
Smith did a good deal with 9, despite it not going to tender because, 1. Nine just recently sold an asset which allowed them to have plenty of cash. The NRL received a $50 million sign on bonus for signing at the time.
Secondly, if the negotiations dragged on, it gave more time for News (fox) to hopefully get their stakehold in Ten. Should news get their stakehold in 10, it would have monopolised the negotiations favourably for Fox.
Never mind the fact that we now have 4 live FTA games, on 4 days a week and have complete control of the draw now. Oh, we got that and also close to a billion dollars for just our FTA component... The game has never been financially stronger and it will be seen by more fans than ever.
But let's focus on no shoulder charges, no punching, taking Origins to Melbourne (which we've done since the early f**king 90's), suggesting that the Grand Final might move from Sydney, and not revealing the games strategy for expansion..