RL independence day arrives - NRL Independent Commission announced for November 1

[axl rose]

You left out games being played in Darwin, melbourne, Adelaide. 87,000 at the MCG for SOO. A massively successful Kangaroo tour, played in major stadiums at Wembley, Manchester and Leeds. The AFL clearly second to league in the battle for the corporate dollar. fantastic add campaign, still talked about.

True the game really was struggling........thank god for News Ltd.

Not to mention a terrific finals series with a few epic matches. Back when if you made the final 5 you really earned it.

 

[Perth Red]

You mean the bad old days when league had a team in Perth and a second team in Brisbane and a team in Illawarra? League on multiple radio stations and massive, broad interest generating through an unparalleled marketing campaign.

You must be happy to see everything being done to avoid that scenario recurring.

Imagine having a sport that was so successful that the very existence of pay-tv in Australia depended on it.

Dreadful stuff.


Someone had to save the sport from becoming a victim of it's own success and News Ltd has proved to be just the antidote. So if News Ltd say that a new stacked commission is what is required then why would anyone question it?

Que the Hovis music!

Seriously I'm not saying that things weren't good back then (though I do think there is some rose tinted nostalgic glasses getting in the way of issues sucha s the League not having any money hence putting a financial noose around Perth's neck, poor media deal negotiating etc) but the fact is without $'s we aren't going to have a national comp, massive media profile nationally, players earning more than any other code with superstar status, national jnr and school programmes etc. AFL has done well out of the SL war and has taken its opportunity with both hands to move well ahead of us. Waiting another 6 years is not a great idea imo when we might not end up with a better IC make up than we have now.

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...withdraw-for-greater-good-20110701-1guyq.html

Marsden: I'll withdraw for greater good
Brad Walter
July 2, 2011

JIM MARSDEN believes an independent commission is so essential for rugby league's future that he has offered to rule himself out as a candidate to ensure the establishment of the new body.

Marsden, who was initially approached by NRL club chairmen to represent western Sydney, has become the subject of a stand-off over the eighth and final position on the independent commission that this week saw News Ltd threaten to retain control of the game for a further five years.

In his first interview since the Herald last month revealed the stalemate between the ARL and News Ltd over his appointment, Marsden - a former Wests Magpies and Wests Tigers chairman - warned that the code could not afford to underestimate the threat of AFL in western Sydney or take for granted that the area would always be rugby league heartland.

But, after News Ltd chief operating officer Peter Macourt and QRL director Terry Mackenroth again refused to accept his nomination at a meeting of the sub-committee appointed to choose the eight commissioners, Marsden said he would stand aside from the role if necessary.

''If I am an impediment, and it appears that I am, then I am prepared to walk away,'' Marsden said. ''It is an absolute honour and privilege to have been asked and it was something I thought deep, hard and long as to whether I wanted to do it.

''I originally said no. I then had a further approach and was asked to speak to [ARL chairman] John Chalk. I spoke to Chalky and it was put to me about my passion for western Sydney, and particularly south-western Sydney.

''I said if that is what is needed and you think that I am the right person for it then I would be happy to put my name forward. But if I am going to be a barrier in any way, shape or form to the formation of this commission then I am prepared to step away right now and let them get on with the commission.''

While Marsden - a leading community figure in Campbelltown - believes it would be preferable that western Sydney have a representative on the independent commission, he said it was more important that the new body comes to fruition.

''It is clear that there is still petty politics happening and it is abundantly clear that there are egos involved,'' he said. ''At the end of the day whoever the right people are for the right jobs should be placed in those jobs and it should not have been dealt with the way it has been.''

After accepting an invitation to sit on an advisory board for the AFL's new Greater Western Sydney franchise, Marsden has gained an understanding of the ambitions of the rival code in western Sydney and he said league needed to act.

''I love rugby league but I have a passion for south-west Sydney and if this game moving into the south-west was going to be a benefit to the people of the area, I said I would be happy to help,'' he said.

''This push into western Sydney isn't an overnight push, it is long term and the AFL don't care if they get success today, tomorrow, next year or the year after. To me that is a very significant threat. They are here with a 20-year plan and they are prepared to throw money and energy at it.

They will succeed and depending on what we - that is rugby league - do will determine the level of their success. It is up to rugby league to make sure that we have got control over that determination of their success.''

Coincidentally, Marsden was hosting a Local Government, Planning and Economic Law conference for 250 delegates when the Herald met him yesterday at Casula Powerhouse Museum - the same venue where the NRL launched the 2011 season.

However, he believes far more must be done to show the people of western Sydney how much their contribution to the game is valued.

''I think it is often taken for granted that outer western Sydney always has been and always will be a rugby league heartland,'' Marsden said.''But I am not convinced that it will be unless the administration and the new commission has that deep recognition of the need to continue to prosper the game in this area.''

Despite the problems plaguing the formation of the Independent Commission, Marsden believes the game is in good shape and he predicted the new television rights agreement would be worth more than AFL's recent $1.2 billion deal.

''I still believe it is the greatest game and I am confident that this commission and the administration will ultimately get it right,'' he said. ''It is clear that the tv stations have a recognition of the importance of rugby league … properly negotiated, the next deal … will be significantly better than the AFL deal … the main reason it will be is because of the recognition of its popularity.''

 

[Ziggy the God]

No wonder News want Marsden out of the frame, they don't want to hear comments like this:

Despite the problems plaguing the formation of the Independent Commission, Marsden believes the game is in good shape and he predicted the new television rights agreement would be worth more than AFL's recent $1.2 billion deal.

''I still believe it is the greatest game and I am confident that this commission and the administration will ultimately get it right,'' he said. ''It is clear that the tv stations have a recognition of the importance of rugby league … properly negotiated, the next deal … will be significantly better than the AFL deal … the main reason it will be is because of the recognition of its popularity.''

 

[Perth Red]

Probably a good idea then once the dust settles and the first appointed commisioner bites the dust the commision can bring him in if they deem him worthy.

One thing I would like to see is someone on the commision withan understanding and vision for growing the game beyond NSW and Q'land.

 

[Brutus]

No wonder News want Marsden out of the frame, they don't want to hear comments like this:

So basically News LTD want people on the IC that are going to want a do a dud deal for RL.

Great stuff.

 

[El Diablo]

jesus

give up Brutus

 

[backdoor]

so long as that greedy merkin Colin Love is not involved, it must be an improvement

 

[Brutus]

jesus

give up Brutus

Do you have faith in News LTD El D?

 

[siv]

so long as that greedy merkin Colin Love is not involved, it must be an improvement

All he did way protect the RL nations by making sure teh RLWC money went to the national bodies and not via NRL to gets its 50% cut of the profits

Are u a News Ltd stooge ??

 

[Perth Red]

All he did way protect the RL nations by making sure teh RLWC money went to the national bodies and not via NRL to gets its 50% cut of the profits

Are u a News Ltd stooge ??

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/colin-loves-2-million-free-kick/story-e6frf0a0-1111114053418

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/nogo-for-gallops-golden-handshake-20110702-1gw13.html

No-go for Gallop's golden handshake
Danny Weidler

THE rumblings about David Gallop's position in the new world of rugby league continue - despite the fact that Gallop has been told that he has a four-year contract waiting for him once the independent commission finally begins. This column is bored by any talk of the commission but I keep getting told that News Ltd is keen on Gallop having a four-year deal - something the ARL types are saying makes him no longer an independent figure. What is really causing concern is Gallop's push for a four-year payout if he is speared. Talk about an elephant in the room. Gallop has hardly put a foot wrong during his time as NRL boss and the game has prospered, but he knows there are people out to get him. His critics say he is too conservative and not as ballsy as his AFL counterpart Andrew Demetriou. In this day and age it is very rare for a head of a company to have a four-year deal. Certain chairmen in the game are pushing against the length of that deal - others don't want him in power at all. As for the payout - that is considered a deal breaker.

 

[Brutus]

John Chalk on ABC Grandstand now talking IC.

 

[Patorick]

John Chalk on ABC Grandstand now talking IC.

Where you listening when Wok called Rothfield "a serial nincompoop"?

Gold.

 

[NrlCoach]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/knight-moves-former-olympics-minister-in-frame-for-commission-20110704-1gz7o.html

Brad Walter, Roy Masters

July 5, 2011

MICHAEL KNIGHT, the NSW Olympics minister during the 2000 Games in Sydney, has been suggested as a possible compromise candidate to end the stand-off over the independent commission.

With ex-Wests Magpies and Wests Tigers chairman Jim Marsden offering to stand aside to help ensure the commission becomes a reality and former Ansett executive Mark Williamson under pressure to do the same, officials are looking for a new candidate to fill the final position on the eight-person board.

Marsden, who was asked to represent western Sydney on the commission, made the offer to withdraw in Saturday's Herald after News Ltd and the Queensland Rugby League last week blocked his nomination. The Heraldhas been told that NRL club chairmen and ARL officials will adopt the same attitude towards Williamson.
​

Knight, who was the state member for Campbelltown from 1981 to 2001, is seen by some as a good alternative as he has a rapport with News Ltd chief executive John Hartigan :sarcasm:, possesses financial acumen, knows how to deal with the big end of town and boasts a keen interest in the game as a Wests Tigers supporter.

He has just completed a report for federal immigration minister Chris Bowen on the overseas student visa program. Marsden, who is heavily involved in the Campbelltown community, endorsed Knight but doubted he would have the time to sit on the commission.

''I think Michael would be far too busy and while he enjoys his rugby league I don't know if he a passion for it,'' Marsden said. ''But given his history and given his ability he would be an excellent candidate.''

With the QRL insisting that Queensland should have two representatives on the game's new governing body, the compromise may be to find another candidate from the state to replace Williamson.

The other seven members of the inaugural commission have already been agreed on by a four-man sub-committee of News Ltd chief operating officer Peter Macourt, ARL chairman John Chalk, QRL director Terry Mackenroth and South Sydney chairman Nicholas Pappas, representing the NRL clubs.

However, they are split on Marsden and Williamson for the eighth position - although it is understood that News Ltd representatives also believe Williamson should follow Marsden's lead and step aside after the Herald last week revealed that during Mackenroth's time as Queensland treasurer he appointed Williamson to the board of a state-owned power generator.

ARL officials and NRL club chairmen have concerns about Williamson's links with News Ltd, which owned Ansett when the now defunct airline sponsored Brisbane. He was also a North Queensland director when News Ltd owned the club. The issue is expected to dominate an ARL board meeting in Brisbane on Thursday after indications yesterday from Williamson that he did not intend to stand down.


Contacted by the Herald, Williamson said in a text message: ''As much as I would like to meet and speak to you I'm afraid that like all commissioners elect I have signed a strict confidentiality agreement which I intend to adhere to. Sorry I can't be more helpful on this occasion.'' He did not reply to a text message asking if he ''would consider stepping aside to help the parties reach a comprise as Marsden has offered to do.''

QRL officials have suggested that Williamson be one of the two commissioners whose term would expire after two years, along with former Sydney Olympics boss Gary Pemberton - a nomination of the clubs.

Other issues delaying the commission's formation include News Ltd's refusal to guarantee it would never start another Super League-type breakaway competition and a dispute over the terms and remuneration of NRL chief executive David Gallop's new contract.

News Ltd initially proposed Gallop being appointed for five years while the ARL and NRL clubs wanted to offer him a one-year deal, leaving it to the commission to decide whether to extend that contract. The parties were believed to have agreed on three years, but Gallop is now seeking a four-year contract.

​

 

[Green Machine]

Michael Knight delivered $22m for the upgrade of Campbelltown Stadium back in 1999,

 

[Brutus]

Michael Knight delivered $22m for the upgrade of Campbelltown Stadium back in 1999,

A truly great man.

 

[BuffaloRules]

News Ltd initially proposed Gallop being appointed for five years while the ARL and NRL clubs wanted to offer him a one-year deal, leaving it to the commission to decide whether to extend that contract. The parties were believed to have agreed on three years, but Gallop is now seeking a four-year contract.

What CEO gets a five ( or even four ) year deal?

I agree that this should be a matter for the new IC to approve, but it appears that this is not going to be the case....

 

[Quidgybo]

What CEO gets a five ( or even four ) year deal?

I agree that this should be a matter for the new IC to approve, but it appears that this is not going to be the case....

I remember all the publicity a while back at how comparatively low Gallop's pay was next to the other three football codes CEOs. Maybe a long term contract ensures he gets the pay out he deserves if the Commission cuts him after only one or two years. By then he will have run the game for a decade and taken it from a shaky post war settlement to a booming independent billion dollar television sport ready to tackle the global digital market.

Leigh

 

[East Coast Tiger]

The game has survived and almost got back to where it was pre-News Ltd despite Gallop not because of him.

The fact News are so keen to keep him regardless of how he has performed as a CEO and regardless of how he will perform over the nexr few years must surely suggest that they certainly see him as a puppet. Otherwise they wouldn't give a toss whether the IC keeps him or not. To include a guarantee of his employment as one of their demands, along with an extension of first and last TV bidding rights, funding for their club in Melbourne and the choice of picking and choosing commissioners suggests they see it as something that will serve their interests.