Possible revolt from Clubs

[Foordy]

TWENTY years after the Super League war tore rugby league apart in Australia, the NRL is today heading towards another revolt from angry clubs.And in a move that could potentially lead to clubs blocking the next TV deal and tear down the Independent Commission, 10 clubs gathered on Thursday for a high-powered meeting in Sydney.
Roosters godfather Nick Politis and Penrith supremo Phil Gould were among the representatives, which also included Canterbury’s heavy hitters Ray Dib and Dr George Peponis, Parramatta’s Steve Sharp and Cronulla’s Damian Keogh.

he Daily Telegraph understands the clubs were called on to unite as one to fight for more financial support and a greater say in the running of the game.

Some clubs feel as though they are being treated as outsiders in their own game and are not receiving a big enough slice of the overall revenue.
At this point clubs want to work through their grievances with NRL and boss Dave Smith to come to a resolution that they believe will ultimately benefit the sport and the club’s long-term viability.

But if they are ignored this could potentially explode into an all-out rugby league war.
The Daily Telegraph understands clubs could block the TV deal beyond 2017 if they decided as a group not to take up their next offer of an NRL licence, which are negotiated in conjunction with the TV deal.


If that was to happen, it would effectively leave the NRL without a 16-team competition to sell.
It has been estimated the next TV deal could be worth $2 billion but without the support of all clubs it would make it almost impossible to sell.
While only 10 clubs attended the meeting, it is understood all clubs will be asked to unite ahead of the next Chairman’s conference.
That is scheduled for June 18 in Melbourne, the day after State of Origin two.
What happens at that meeting could very well decide the future direction of the sport.
The four clubs not invited were St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers, Newcastle and Gold Coast, who have either received emergency funding or have NRL appointed independent directors.

The Daily Telegraph was told among the objectives raised on included;
* THAT clubs get a say on who is appointed to the Independent Commission;
* CASH-strapped clubs also want a greater share of the NRL revenue so they are in line with other major sports around the world; and
* THEY want to know where all the money is being spent.
As it stands clubs receive $7.5 million each year from the NRL, which equates to $120 out of a total $330 million purse.
The clubs are also confused as to why they aren’t being told the finer details about why certain clubs are getting more financial assistance, when so many are struggling to stay afloat.
With memberships, crowds and poker machine profits declining, a club boss recently told The Daily Telegraph that most clubs would be flatlining in a few years if they don’t get more help.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/the-nrl-is-heading-towards-a-revolt-from-angry-clubs/story-fnp0lyn6-1227364249374

 

[Foordy]

If this is true, it seems like it is being lead by the Sydney clubs ...

and if what they decide not to take up a new licence, i think it would be funny, if the NRL/ARLC basically said "**** you" and just re-issued licences to new bids. then they could have a truly national comp.

Cowboys
Broncos
2nd Brisbane/ipswich
Titans
Warriors
Storm
Perth
Raiders
Sydney North
Sydney South
Sydney West
Sydney East
Central Coast
Knights
Adelaide
2nd NZ/Central QLD.

 

[Morkel]

Sounds like the "old boys" don't want to let go of their grip.

 

[Foordy]

Sounds like the "old boys" don't want to let go of their grip.

They wanted an Independent Commission, but they only wanted it as long as they ran it, to do whats in their own best interest ... not necessarily the games best interest.

 

[Renegade]

lmao @ the scrub tier clubs who couldn't run a chook raffle.

 

[mitch222]

I'm intrigued with where the money is going if the NRL clubs are only getting a third of the pie. They cant say its going to grass roots or building new stadiums because it just simply isn't. Someone has their hand in the till somewhere. I would start by looking at the staff at the NRL head quarters which has ballooned heavily since Gallop was in charge

 

[Splinter]

Sounds like the "old boys" don't want to let go of their grip.

We know what the grip is on

 

[Foordy]

I'm intrigued with where the money is going if the NRL clubs are only getting a third of the pie. They cant say its going to grass roots or building new stadiums because it just simply isn't. Someone has their hand in the till somewhere. I would start by looking at the staff at the NRL head quarters which has ballooned heavily since Gallop was in charge

NRL is only a fraction what what the ARLC need to run.

There is also NYC, ISC, NSW Cup, all the grade comps around Australia, junior footy clubs marketing, salaries of everyone who works for the ARLC. etc.

but the NRL clubs don;t think about any of that ... they just want more cash. dilute the cash that gets dispensed to the lower level of league and the quality of players coming through will significantly drop within the next 5-10 years.

possibly to the point where the money the game can demand from TV rights cuts in half.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

This won't go anywhere

 

[Super Freak]

You know the game is in great shape when you have clubs pulling this crap...

 

[Ari Gold]

Kinda don't blame them. I mean, teams are getting propped up for various reasons why others struggle, that doesn't make sense to me. In the release that the NRL were taking over the Knights, there was sentiment that this would make the Knights financially competitive. Why should a club like the Tigers accept that?

Having a say on the IC is dumb though.