Todd Greenberg has warned NRL CEOs to unite on the $1.2 billion stadium issue
TODD Greenberg has warned NRL CEOs to unite on the $1.2 billion stadium issue, warning league has been “lapped” by the AFL when it comes to government funding.
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TODD Greenberg has warned NRL CEOs to unite on the $1.6 billion stadium issue, warning rugby league has been “lapped” by the AFL when it comes to securing government funding.
In an email sent to all 16 club bosses late on Friday, the new NRL CEO said the code risked losing the potential State government cash after failing to confirm a 65-game commitment by last Friday.
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Greenberg also reiterate any funding provided by government would not be used for refurbishing suburban venues like Brookvale Oval, Shark Park or Leichhardt Oval.
In part, his email read: “As you know, we were unable to meet the Government’s deadline of providing a minimum 65 home and away game commitment by last Friday.
“You will have no doubt read various reports suggesting that the funding commitment by Government is not guaranteed, and that alternative priorities are under consideration.
“My focus this week has been on ensuring that the investment by Government is kept on the table. I’ve been involved in discussions across Government to ensure that this opportunity is not lost to the game.
“While there has been a lot of debate inside the game and in the community about where Government should invest, the one thing we all agree on is that Rugby League venues in Sydney need upgrading.”
On the issue of losing the cash to rival codes, Greenberg said he was determined to avoid the funding being diverted to other sports.
“Put simply, rugby league has been lapped by oval-based sports in securing investment over the last two decades,’’ he wrote.
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“Any situation in which our lobbying efforts to make stadia investment a priority result in the oval sports stepping in to divert available funds to their facilities is not an acceptable outcome to me.
“In terms of Government’s priorities for the stadium investment we remain committed to ensuring we get a network of rectangular stadia — and that includes ANZ Stadium.”
And on the issue of suburban grounds, he added: “The Government has been very clear that there is no opportunity to seek funding to be directed to suburban venues and that their funding is focused on consolidating investment into a network of tier 1 stadia.
“Ultimately the Government’s decision will take account of our priorities as well as the preferences of other rectangular codes who will commit content to the stadia.
“Obviously in any scenario where we are required to provide a commitment of additional NRL Club content, we will be discussing this with you as a priority.”
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Greenberg finished off by saying he expected further developments once the Premier returned to Sydney early next week.
TODD GREENBERG’S LETTER TO NRL CEO’S
Dear CEOs
I wanted to update you on the stadia issue which has been the subject of recent meetings.
As you know, we were unable to meet the Government’s deadline of providing a minimum 65 home and away game commitment by last Friday.
You will have no doubt read various reports suggesting that the funding commitment by Government is not guaranteed, and that alternative priorities are under consideration.
My focus this week has been on ensuring that the investment by Government is kept on the table. I’ve been involved in discussions across Government to ensure that this opportunity is not lost to the game.
While there has been a lot of debate inside the game and in the community about where Government should invest, the one thing we all agree on is that Rugby League venues in Sydney need upgrading.
I am determined to avoid the funding being diverted to other sports — put simply, Rugby League has been lapped by oval-based sports in securing investment over the last two decades.
Any situation in which our lobbying efforts to make stadia investment a priority result in the oval sports stepping in to divert available funds to their facilities is not an acceptable outcome to me.
In terms of Government’s priorities for the stadium investment we remain committed to ensuring we get a network of rectangular stadia — and that includes ANZ Stadium.
I, and the Commission, have heard the views of NRL Clubs and communicated them to Government. The Government has been very clear that there is no opportunity to seek funding to be directed to suburban venues and that their funding is focused on consolidating investment into a network of Tier 1 stadia.
Ultimately the Government’s decision will take account of our priorities as well as the preferences of other rectangular codes who will commit content to the stadia.
Obviously in any scenario where we are required to provide a commitment of additional NRL Club content, we will be discussing this with you as a priority.
I expect further developments once the Premier returns early next week.
Originally published as Todd Greenberg has warned NRL CEOs to unite on the $1.2 billion stadium issue
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