NFL executives sound out NRL on best ways to relaunch season after COVID-19 shutdown
The NRL’s successful relaunch of the season after the COVID-19 shutdown has grabbed the attention of NFL executives as they prepare to kick-off their competition in September in the US.
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In a huge vote of confidence in rugby league, one of the NFL’s most senior executives has reached out for advice on relaunching their own competition in September in the US.
NFL director of entertainment and content Tim Tubito phoned NRL marketing general manager Peter Jarmain for tips and advice on hosting games, biosecurity measures, creating atmosphere in empty venues for TV networks, cardboard cutouts and fan engagement from homes.
Tubito is an Emmy award-winning film producer who worked for 12 years at the New York Jets before joining the NFL as one of the sport’s most powerful executives.
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He’s been blown away by the TV coverage into America on Fox Sports, particularly the initiative of creating crowd noise to match the highs and lows of the games.
Normally it’s the other way around with NRL bosses often travelling to the Super Bowl on fact-finding missions in our off-season.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said it was a proud moment for the game when one of America’s sharpest sporting administrators reached out.
“It’s a massive rap for us,” V’landys said. “We had the long break between rounds two and three to work on a strategy.
“It’s really pleasing to hear because there’s been so much great teamwork to make it happen.
“It’s a credit to our players, coaches, referees, administrators and everyone involved in the game.”
It’s unheard of for an Aussie footy code to be held in such high regard in the US sporting market.
V’landys said the TV networks had played an important role.
“Steve Crawley (Fox Sports head of television) is the man who deserves a lot of credit with the coverage going into the US,” V’landys said. “Our broadcast partners have been outstanding.”
Jarmain said Tubito planned to also contact Crawley to better understand the technical features of the coverage.
The NFL executive praised the NRL over its fan engagement.
“We spoke about how we had enabled fans at home to make their presence felt in the stadium with the cardboard ‘Fan in the Stand’ initiative,” Jarmain said. “I also explained how we’d been pushing fan messages onto the big screen and allowing fans to provide support banners.
“We also spoke about fans starting to return to the stadiums and how we’ll try to balance the crowd noise versus the actual cheers of fans at the live match.”
J-MOZ UP FOR MORE
Josh Morris is talking about extending his career at the Sydney Roosters for another 12 months.
Twin brother Brett will retire but Josh is leaning towards one more season.
Morris turns 34 next month but is playing arguably the best football of his career. His game against Melbourne Storm on Friday night was outstanding.
The Roosters will have highly regarded youngster Billy Smith returning next year to further strengthen their outside backs.
VON VOYAGE TO MUCH-LOVED POM
Fox Sports is running an emotional farewell interview this week with frontrow warhorse James Graham. He sat down with Yvonne Sampson on Friday afternoon to discuss all the highs and lows of his career with the Bulldogs and the Dragons. Graham flies home to the UK on Monday.
ALEX ROBBED
You’ve got to feel sorry for Souths local junior Alex Johnston, who is being forced out at the end of the season. The signing of James Roberts last year put the Rabbitohs under the salary cap pressure. Johnston has scored six tries in seven games this year. Roberts has scored one try in 15 games since joining the club from the Broncos.
Originally published as NFL executives sound out NRL on best ways to relaunch season after COVID-19 shutdown