NRL 'deserves' huge cash from TV deal
- Richard Clune and Jessica Hallora
THE NRL is set to score close to a billion dollars when it renegotiates the sale of its broadcast rights thanks to Lachlan Murdoch's love of the game and Nine boss David Gyngell's determination to retain rugby league at any cost.
And firing a pointed salvo at Network Ten - where Mr Murdoch remains interim CEO - and commercial rival Channel Seven, Mr Gyngell told The Sunday Telegraph that Nine would "not be losing the rights" in the pending broadcast negotiations for the 2013-2017 seasons.
"Nine is happy to pay more for rugby league because it's the greatest game of all," Mr Gyngell said. "And not only is it the greatest game of all, but it deserves the extra money."
As the current rights holder, Nine sits in the box seat with first and last refusal. Nine screens three weekly matches, State Of Origin and international games, while Foxtel airs five season games per week.
Ten's expected bid for at least one weekly NRL game is attached to Mr Murdoch's staunch support of the sport, his association with NRL boss David Gallop and his network's decision last week to opt out of AFL broadcasting from the end of this season. A Ten source said: "No one knows where we stand at the moment and what will happen.
"The [independent rugby league] commission is still not finalised and it's a real guessing game. It seems unlikely that we'll entertain an NRL bidding war - but it's TV ... you never say never."
Meanwhile, Kerry Stokes' Channel Seven will make a play for the lucrative sport despite failing to on-sell AFL to Ten, meaning it now has to find timeslots for four AFL games a weekend, filling its schedule.
Seven spokesman Simon Francis said: "We've been clear on this for some time. David Leckie loves league.
"Seven first broadcast league in 1964 with Rex Mossop and we had a 20-year partnership with this great game. We would love to be back and we'll be involved in the negotiations for the television rights for NRL."
Under the new AFL deal, Seven gains extra ad revenue via Foxtel's simulcast AFL broadcasts - to include 75 per cent of "Seven" commercials.
NRL boss David Gallop has already held informal meetings with "all parties" and said he felt "heartened" by Mr Gyngell's words.
"I have spoken to all the commercial networks again this week and they are aware that once the flag drops, the race will be on to acquire our rights," Gallop said.
"That's very encouraging, particularly coming from the boss of Channel Nine.
"We expect major increases across all our platforms.
"Anyone who is not prepared to stump up may find themselves with less rugby league content.
"And the way the game is producing ratings at the moment, you would be mad not to be part of it.
"We are not putting a figure on it - but we are certainly aware the market is buoyant and that our sport is highly sought-after."
