Delay on panel may help NRL on TV rights
Stuart Honeysett
From: The Australian
August 23, 2011 12:00AM
THE lengthy delay in establishing the game's inaugural independent commission could prove to be a blessing in disguise when it comes time to formally negotiate the next broadcast deal, according to media consultant Colin Smith.
The eight commissioners will gather for the first time today for an induction at the NRL's headquarters at Moore Park where they will be given a state of the game address by league boss David Gallop covering some of the code's burning issues.
Smith has been advising the NRL over its next broadcast arrangement, which will start in 2013, and has a meeting scheduled with the commissioners within the next month to bring them up to speed on the situation. It has been reported the rights might not be finalised for another 12 months.
While the game has been frustrated at the prolonged negotiations between the ARL and News Limited (publishers of The Australian) over the formation of the commission, Smith said it could actually work in the game's favour for TV rights with the NRL enjoying a stellar season.
"Pay television numbers are fantastic and are up 17 per cent; we've got records in State of Origin with just under 17 million viewers; the live telecasts are really good, and they are all pluses in terms of saying people want to watch rugby league," Smith said. "The numbers now being provided are a real bonus to negotiating those media rights - no question about it.
"The process with an independent commission has been a real plus and there's some real good people on that commission, which will make the process even stronger."
It was reported last month after a NRL chief executives meeting the game could net as much as $1.4 billion for its next TV deal over five years, which would dwarf the $1.253 million deal the AFL received but broadcasters were quick to dismiss that figure.
Smith has told only two officials at the NRL what he believes the game is worth over five years - anywhere between $1bn and $1.2bn is the most likely figure - but he said he would pass on a recommendation to the commissioners on its value when he addresses them.
"It will be a very significant increase but that's all I've said," Smith said. "We're trying to do some things to make it attractive to the broadcasters. I'll tell the commission some evolving ranges depending on outcomes."
The eight commissioners - chairman John Grant, Catherine Harris, Ian Elliott, Peter Gregg, Gary Pemberton, Jeremy Sutcliffe, Wayne Pearce and Chris Sarra - are expected to formally take their place on the commission on November 1.
Television rights won't be the only topic of discussion for them today with Gallop to provide information on other areas of the game including the collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap, the season structure and expansion.
"It's an opportunity for us to present them with a snapshot of where the game is at," Gallop said. "There will be representations across all the areas of the business.
"While there are still around 20 issues to be resolved between the ARL and News, we can use the meeting to make sure that the commission hits the ground running once it is formally in place."
Rugby League Players' Association chief executive David Garnsey said he had also put a request to the NRL to meet with Grant at a convenient time to discuss a number of the players' concerns including an increase in the minimum wage.
"There are probably player specific issues, there are probably game specific issues and there are probably RLPA issues," Garnsey said.
