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

[Quidgybo]

I really hope the IC do not get intimidated by Gallop.

With so many people saying that Gallop is not forthright enough, not combative enough, a weak leader, and essentially a whimp, how could anyone possibly think he could intimidate the Commission?

Leigh

 

[Perth Red]

I think "overly guided" would be a better use of words than intimidated. I couldn;t imagine anyone over 12 years old being intimidated by Gallop!

 

[Brutus]

With so many people saying that Gallop is not forthright enough, not combative enough, a weak leader, and essentially a whimp, how could anyone possibly think he could intimidate the Commission?

Leigh

I hope you're right.

He's been there 10 years and has News LTD's extremely strong backing. He doesn't like being challenged either whether it be in a radio interview or the day to day stuff.

The IC members are the new boys (and girl) on the block in terms of RL admin and the goings on in game.

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...could-be-delayed/story-e6frfgbo-1226162526747

November 1 launch of rugby league Independent Commission could be delayed

by: Peter Badel
From: The Daily Telegraph
October 10, 2011 12:00AM

THE November 1 launch of rugby league's Independent Commission could be delayed again following revelations more than 100 commercial contracts have yet to be finalised as part of the game's administrative overhaul.

It's understood that as many as 120 corporate arrangements, involving the game's coterie of sponsors, have yet to be transferred from the NRL partnership to the ARL commission.

It means the code's powerbrokers have just 23 days to novate the existing deals, which will require the respective sponsors to sign off on the proposed transfer.

John Grant, the incoming chairman of the commission, remains confident the game is on course to complete the Independence Day restructure. But ARL chief executive Geoff Carr, who has been a key player in negotiations, conceded last night there was no guarantee the commission would be operational on November 1.

"There's no doubt there's a lot of work to do still," Carr said.

"As you can appreciate, there's a hell of a lot of contracts signed with the game with licensees and sponsors and they all need to be novated. Every single deal has to be transferred over to the ARL Commission," he said.

Grant allayed concerns the code is set for another frustrating delay on the birth of the Independent Commission.

"We're as confident as we can be of being operational by November 1," he said. "Everyone knows what needs to be done, it's just a process of working through it. It's definitely achievable by that date."

 

[aarondoyle]

Déjà vu from last year.

 

[timka4]

Déjà vu from last year.

Was going to say the same. IC November 1st 2012

 

[beave]

I have my doubts to the IC even starting this year..................... It's starting to piss me off tbh, just get it done already!!!!

 

[El Diablo]

front page of tomorrow's DT has some news ltd propaganda about the 16 clubs and the IC

 

[Ausguy]

go on....

 

[smithie]

Clubs in $34m NRL ransom

RUGBY league's hopes of an independent commission are in tatters after the 16 NRL clubs last night issued a $34 million ransom note to News Ltd and the ARL.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the clubs have demanded an extra 55 per cent in funding from next season - a move the NRL said it could not afford.

The threat came in the form of an email sent from South Sydney Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas on behalf of the clubs to News Ltd, ARL and NRL powerbrokers at 1.39pm yesterday. It insisted on a staggering increase in the clubs' annual grant from $3.85 million to $6 million from 2012.

Given that the NRL has only $18 million in cash reserves, it was last night being considered an attempt to sabotage the formation of the independent commission.

If the demands were met, the new commission would effectively inherit a game drowning in debt.

"You can only draw the conclusion that they are trying to blow the whole thing up before a commission is formed," said one source close to negotiations.

"We aren't sure what they are trying to do but it looks like they are holding us to ransom."

The situation is so sensitive that no key figures were prepared to elaborate on the demand from the clubs when contacted last night. While a News Ltd spokesman refused to comment, it is understood the media organisation is furious at the 11th-hour bid to scuttle the peace process.

Asked if the cash grab from the clubs was an attempt to hijack negotiations, ARL chief executive Geoff Carr would only say: "You can draw whatever conclusion you want. This is at a delicate stage, so for me to make any comment would be inappropriate."

The chairman-elect of the new commission John Grant was equally tightlipped.

"Sorry but I can't offer any comment on your article," he said.

Clearly, the NRL clubs want a guaranteed slice of the potential $1.4 billion bonanza the game will received from its next television broadcast rights deal, which is up for renewal from 2012 onwards.

"However, the clubs are not content to defer a revised funding arrangement until that time," Mr Pappas says in the email obtained by The Daily Telegraph.

As one NRL powerbroker said last night: "We just don't have that amount of money yet."

It has long been hoped that two years of complex negotiations between News Ltd and the ARL would finally result in an independent commission formed on November 1 this year.

In recent months, the major sticking point has been a push from the clubs for News Ltd to agree to a non-compete clause, which would prevent it from trying to form a breakaway competition.

Yet there was no mention about that concern in Mr Pappas's email yesterday and the presumption was it is no longer a condition. In fact, there are fears within News Ltd and the ARL that the clubs could be in negotiations with another entity.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/clubs-in-34m-nrl-ransom/story-e6frexnr-1226164274902

 

[smithie]

Fresh blow to NRL's new order

WHEN it comes to the formation of a fabled independent commission, rugby league's suits will have to forgive the poor old fan for feeling jaded, even a little apathetic.

In other words, wake us up when it finally comes to be.

Another day, another left hook to the peace process that will supposedly cure the game of all its ills, that will supposedly rid rugby league of the factions and self-interest.

This time, the devastating blow came in the form of a ransom note from the 16 NRL clubs demanding a 55 per cent increase in its annual grant.

The email from South Sydney Rabbitohs chairman Nick Pappas lobbed in the inboxes of Independent Commission chairman-elect John Grant, ARL boss Geoff Carr, News Limited lawyer Ian Philip, NRL boss David Gallop and Queensland Rugby League's Terry Mackenroth at 1.39pm yesterday.

Kaboom! It was dynamite.

It was not immediately clear what the intention of the demands were. Club chairmen were unusually tight-lipped when contacted last night, but it was suggested to The Daily Telegraph the clubs were not prepared to sign up to a new commission without some type of guarantee of increased funding.

Maybe they can explain it in more detail when the eight commissioners-elect meet on October 18. Like every stakeholder of the game, the clubs are sweating bullets over this possible $1.4 billion TV broadcast deal to be struck at some stage next year.

As Pappas wrote in his blunt email yesterday: "In the 2011 year alone, (the clubs') expected collective losses will be in the vicinity of $30 million after the exclusion of leagues club and private investor funding."

As far as the ARL and News Ltd (publishers of The Daily Telegraph) are concerned, though, the dash for cash is an attempt to blow-up the peace process on the eve of the game's most important day - independence on November 1.

If the clubs were looking for sympathy and understanding from the fans, they have surely lost it by asking for such a hefty increase in funding that does not exist. Not yet, anyway.

Where will it end then?

Apparently, the construction on the new governing body's headquarters at Moore Park will be completed by January next year.

Given how many times this new dawn has turned out to be a false one, most of us are wondering if there will anything to put in it.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/fresh-blow-to-nrls-new-order/story-fn7r8xhj-1226164299759

 

[beave]

There has to be something behind this, surely the clubs aren't looking at setting up their own comp or something similar in the event of the IC/NRL knocking back their demands?

 

[BrisVegas]

There has to be something behind this, surely the clubs aren't looking at setting up their own comp or something similar in the event of the IC/NRL knocking back their demands?

Perhaps they are looking to ensure the transferral of power from the ARL/News Ltd to the new Independent Commission.

They make a public demand of additional funding to cover the shortfall of club running costs, then announce that they will only enter into dialogue with the Independent Commission once they are running the game.

No Independent Commission, No Negotiations.
No Negotiations, No agreement by the clubs to play in the 2012 competition.
No Agreement, and the formation of a breakaway competition becomes a possibility - not to mention the sudden loss of value in the media rights for the 2012 season.

After all, how could News Ltd/the ARL be expected to converse with the clubs on this matter when they are supposed to be transferring all power to the commission in 3 weeks time (to make the oft delayed 1st of November handover).

 

[Patorick]

Check mate, News Ltd.

I think.

 

[BrisVegas]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...for-better-deal-escalates-20111011-1ljc7.html

Clubs threaten to go it alone as fight for better deal escalates
Brad Walter, Michael Chammas
October 12, 2011

NRL clubs are considering breaking away from the NRL to start their own competition, in a move described as a ''reverse Super League''. The stunning development comes amid fears that the Independent Commission's November 1 starting date is set to again be delayed as negotiations for News Ltd and the ARL to exit the game drag on.

The clubs are refusing to sign their new membership agreements to play in the 2012 competition unless demands for increased funding are accepted.

A meeting of representatives of the 16 NRL clubs yesterday notified News Ltd and the ARL that they wanted the annual grant paid to each club increased from $3.65 million to $6 million next season.

The clubs also want News Ltd to agree to a non-compete clause to ensure the media organisation never starts another Super League-type breakaway again.

If the demands are not met, the clubs are considering breaking away themselves - except the difference this time is that all 16 clubs are united and there would not be split competition as there was in 1997.

The clubs also want to keep their intellectual property rights - colours, logos etc - and fixed scheduling for matches.

Club bosses did not return calls or were unwilling to comment when contacted this morning but their discontentment has been simmering for months.

A meeting of all club chief executives and chairmen was held at Sydney Airport three weeks and a sub-committee was appointed to represent the clubs.

The South Sydney chairman, Nicholas Pappas, who has been a key figure in negotiations for the independent commission, yesterday notified News Ltd and the ARL in writing of the clubs demands.

.....

Trying to leverage the ARL/News Ltd into completing the transferral of administration to the IC is my guess.

 

[BunniesMan]

I like this move. It gets News to fall into line over the IC, or else.

And with a move this big, it can't be just a bluff, or they'd embarrass themselves if News called them on it.

It wouldn't surprise me if they have a rival tv network on the sidelines ready to jump in.

Maybe 10, maybe even 7. I've heard the blokes running 7 have balls and it would be like them to take on a massive risk like controlling both NRL and AFL to demolish their rivals in the ratings.

There could be another 'war' over the control of the game. The key difference this time, if the articles are to be believed, is that the clubs are fully united. No spineless scum clubs willing to sell out like there was in the 90s.

If true, that means that Brisbane and Melbourne, or at least their boards, are fully independent. They always said that, but obviously were never believed. What a sight it would be for every club from Brisbane to Souths, and all in between to be united against News in getting a fair deal for the code.

 

[Perth Red]

Why demand money the game hasn't got? Also presumably the clubs would need to sign some sort of agreement for the IC to come into being, seems a very bizarre move by the clubs to me.

Could the clubs actually break away and form their own comp? I doubt it, would be the end of rep football for starters, would cause massive damage to grass roots and would the fans stand for another SuperLeague move even if it was club initiated, I doubt it. They are playing a very dangerous game. At the end of the day News could withdraw from the IC and the game would be well and truly stuffed for another 7 years.

 

[BunniesMan]

Why demand money the game hasn't got? Also presumably the clubs would need to sign some sort of agreement for the IC to come into being, seems a very bizarre move by the clubs to me.

Could the clubs actually break away and form their own comp? I doubt it, would be the end of rep football for starters, would cause massive damage to grass roots and would the fans stand for another SuperLeague move even if it was club initiated, I doubt it. They are playing a very dangerous game. At the end of the day News could withdraw from the IC and the game would be well and truly stuffed for another 7 years.

Would fans stand for it? Fans just want to cheer for their team. Maybe the hardcore fans would get upset one way or another. But the majority just want to be able to support their team. Technicalities like what the comp is called is meaningless to the common fan on the street.

 

[Perth Red]

Hmmm , the SlL experience would suggest otherwise re fans giving up. My biggest concern is just how Independent is the IC going to be with clubs making ridiculous demands and threatening to take home their bat if they don't get their way. Most clubs can't even run themselves (hence why they have the begging bowl out for a $30mill shortfall) imagine the state of the game if they ran it!

 

[smithie]

Hmmm , the SlL experience would suggest otherwise re fans giving up. My biggest concern is just how Independent is the IC going to be with clubs making ridiculous demands and threatening to take home their bat if they don't get their way. Most clubs can't even run themselves (hence why they have the begging bowl out for a $30mill shortfall) imagine the state of the game if they ran it!

Most troubling this is.