Threat of breakaway comp and Knights not part of it

[The Showstopper]

I think Dave Smith has f###ed up royally trying to close Murdoch out of the new TV deal. Murdoch has sunk US presidents. What was he thinking! The threat of a 12 team breakaway comp seems more real than some think and Super League mark 2 is a possibility. As we are NRL run we are an obvious cull target given the governing body is in the sights of this perceived threat. Please discuss the pros and cons of a Knights involvement, our removal or else another new franchise getting off the ground here in the event of another League War.

 

[Nuffy]

Chance of this happening, zero.

Purely posturing and a get square from Murdoch.

I am critical of the deal with Nine as they got a little too much for my liking.

Murdoch is now using News to oust Smith and Grant and get a preferential deal for Fox.

Looking at the published ratings, Fox needs the NRL desperately.

I do think the NRL made a mistake in not briefing Fox et al well before announcing the deal, that was just stupid.

I suspect their strategy is to now let the dust settle and work on a deal of playing Fox off against the streaming platforms.

 

[Nuffy]

This article explains it best I think.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...r-dave-smith-and-the-nrl-20150824-gj69uc.html

 

[macavity]

Murdoch can eat a bag of dicks

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

lol, there is no threat of a break away comp.

Murdoch is backed into a corner and the NRL is in the box seat. Im not going to talk about it in here because all the reasons why are in another thread.

 

[The Showstopper]

I would not underestimate the ego or arrogance of Murdoch. That is my point. The man does not give in to anyone.

 

[murraymob]

its not going to happen remove smith and grant and the 12 clubs will negotiate both deserve to go .Both are bumbling fools .We have a sensational product but they want rule changes every year
None of the 12 want to exclude the other 4

 

[Spot On]

Fox would be f**ked without NRL. There would be mass exodus from Foxtel if league could find another platform to show the rest of their games.

Really was a gutsy move by Smith but yet to be confirmed as a smart one. That said, the NRL is now free of News LTD but Smith and Co will have to weather a shit storm of pressure over the next year or so as News does a relentless hatchet job on them.

Fingers crossed Smith has an ace up his sleeve.