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PNG's back.

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
239
PNG allocates $150m for NRL team by 2028
Zoe SamiosBusiness reporter
Dec 3, 2024 – 7.35pm

The Papua New Guinea government has allocated more than $150 million to support the introduction of a new NRL club by 2028, in a clear sign that rugby league’s expansion plans are set to go ahead.

About 100 million Papua New Guinean kina ($37.5 million) will be provided by the national government to a PNG “bid support program” annually for the next four years, which will be spent on infrastructure, elite sports development and growing participation.

Papua New Guinea is a leading contender to land the NRL’s 18th franchise licence. NRL Photos

The government has separately allocated K50 million annually for four years to invest in grassroots program league programs.

The funding was released in Papua New Guinea’s national parliament last week. It comes as the NRL finalises a deal with the Australian government for a $600 million 10-year funding package to support the creation of the team and future pathways.

The introduction of a PNG bid was pitched as a soft diplomacy exercise designed to counteract the increasing Chinese presence in the South Pacific region. Rugby league is PNG’s national sport and has been considered an easy way to build alliances.


Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys and chief executive Andrew Abdo are also in discussions with the West Australian Premier Roger Cook about a new club based in Perth.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported last month that the NRL would control that team under the model and the WA government would fund community, development, and infrastructure projects.

Deciding which teams will join the national rugby league competition is critical for NRL executives, who want to start negotiations with potential broadcast partners on a new broadcast deal. The existing deal with Foxtel and Nine Entertainment, owner of The Australian Financial Review, expires in 2027.

Most clubs believe the introduction of a West Australian-based team could deliver an uptick in value for a new rights deal but have expressed scepticism about the introduction of a Papua New Guinea-based team.

The Perth club, if it succeeds, will work as a joint venture with the North Sydney Bears.

Their main concern is that the commercial value of the team is uncertain – a claim those close to the PNG bid deny.

 

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
239
some political stunt if now the png government are throwing in $150m ($100m for a club and $50m for games before 2028)

takes the overall commitment to $700m. If the papua cash is in Aussie dollar of course.
 

Matt_CBY

Juniors
Messages
1,602
Most clubs believe the introduction of a West Australian-based team could deliver an uptick in value for a new rights deal but have expressed scepticism about the introduction of a Papua New Guinea-based team.
So much for those on here guessing about the TV rights deal stating that the Perth market will bring nothing to the TV deal.
 

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
239
 

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
Messages
239
Looks like the political stunt will be announced next week.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...m/news-story/5e76338738836ec04c9d3df84a33d172

PNG confirmed as new NRL expansion team​

Papua New Guinea’s groundbreaking entry into the NRL is confirmed - but uncertainty remains surrounding whether they will be the 18th or 19th team to join the expanded competition. See the details.
Michael Carayannis, Brent Read, Peter Badel and Dean Ritchie

less than 2 min read
December 4, 2024 - 2:04PM
News Sport Network
https://archive.md/CcSLi#comments
a99c10141967ae10895883871dd067072fbe1eaa.webp


Finley Glare & Kevin Yako are two of the brightest rugby league prospects out of PNG.
Papua New Guinea’s groundbreaking entry into the NRL is set to be announced next week. Barring any late setbacks, this masthead understands the historic expansion call has been scheduled for the end of the week and will involve Prime Ministers from both Australia and PNG.
It is understood the NRL and the federal government have finalised their landmark $600 million deal that has paved the way for PNG to join the premiership in 2028.
Talks are still ongoing with the West Australian government over plans to expand to Perth as the NRL attempts to strike a funding deal to return to the state.
However, the PNG deal is all but completed and an announcement is expected as early as Thursday. It is understood club bosses were given an update on the game’s expansion plans at a meeting on Wednesday.
PNG’s status as the game’s 18th or 19th team will hinge on whether the NRL can get a deal done with the WA government with the preference being to have a team in Perth in 2027 before expanding to PNG.
The Papua New Guinea franchise will be announced in the coming days. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Papua New Guinea franchise will be announced in the coming days. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
While unconfirmed, it’s expected the announcement will be made inside a Government office in the Sydney CBD.
The historic declaration will coincide with a PNG investment conference held in Sydney, which will start on Monday.
Multiple senior PNG ministers will fly to Sydney for the announcement, as will the PNG NRL bid board, led by chairman Wapu Sonk.
PNG rugby league chairman Sandis Tsaka will also attend.
It is the culmination of an epic two-year project for PNG to enter the NRL.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape first moved a motion in parliament for an independent NRL bid team to be established, led by Sonk and PNG bid chief executive Andrew Hill.
 
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