NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo issues warning to Nine as TV rights talks reach crucial point

It’s crunch time in free-to-air television negotiations but NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has revealed just what the governing body is refusing to compromise on.

in action during the 2021 NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and Souths Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pics Adam Head

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has fired a shot across the bow of the Nine Network as he attempts to finalise broadcast talks and provide some financial certainty for clubs in the lead-up to Christmas.

Having secured a long-term deal with Foxtel, the NRL has been in talks with Nine over finalising a free-to-air contract for 2023 and beyond.

There was talk late last month that the game was on the verge of agreeing an extension to its current deal but Abdo hinted there was still significant work to do.

The NRL boss also addressed the game’s cultural issues, his hopes for the competition next year, revealed a review had already begun into the game’s illicit drug testing policy, and said trade windows were still on the agenda.

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Panthers players celebrate winning the NRL Grand Final as part of an exhilarating finals series. Picture: Getty Images

The game’s broad­casters provide the bulk of the money that flows on to clubs and the inability to strike a deal with Nine has prevented head office providing clarity to clubs around their funding beyond 2022.

Abdo insisted the NRL wouldn’t undersell the game and while he praised Nine Network boss Mike Sneesby, he said head office would fight to extract every cent they could from their commercial partner.

“It wouldn’t be rugby league if there wasn’t a bit of bruising and some battle scars from time to time,” Abdo said.

“It is important for us to get the best deal possible — we wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t. So while we’re excited about it, respectively we are going to make sure we fight.

“I wouldn’t imagine the commission are going to sign off on anything that isn’t in the best interests of the game. We won’t compromise on that.

“We still have a year to run. We are not under pressure for that point of view and it is important to get the right deal for rugby league.

“Nine have indicated they are very keen to renew and hopefully we can get a deal done before the end of the year.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo fired a shot across bow of the Nine Network as he vows to fight for a fair TV deal.

The NRL is coming off an exhilarating finals series that seemed to restore faith in the game after a difficult year featuring blowout scorelines and criticism over rule changes.

Officials have been locked in talks with clubs and players over the way forward and it is understood the initial feedback has suggested a period of stability rather than further changes.

As good as the finals were, the game suffered a black eye on the aftermath due to the behaviour of some players, prompting renewed criticism of rugby league’s culture.

Commissioner Megan Davis has addressed the game’s cultural issues as part of a review of the code that is expected to be put before the ARL Commission as early as next month.

“One of the greatest opportunities we have is to make sure we are continuously evolving and improving the culture of the game,” Abdo said.

“Megan’s work is going to be incredibly valuable for us, it has been very thorough. Very shortly there will be an opportunity for her to speak to the board about that.”

Among the cultural issues is a concern over the use of cocaine by players, prompting a call for the game to overhaul its illicit drug testing policy.

The league’s showcase event - the NRL Grand Final - was televised from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

“The review is underway,” Abdo said.

“It is a difficult area. While performance-enhancing drugs is dealt with under Sports Integrity Australia and there is a clear global policy for that, illicit drugs is very much up to us as individual codes.

“We want to help the players and protect the players.”

Abdo also revealed the game was still considering whether to introduce transfer windows as they look to provide more order to player movement.

“It is not dead,” he said.

“I am still very much in favour of a more organised contracting system. So we are hard at work at developing those option.

“There is definitely I believe a need for reform in this area and getting the balance right between creating windows that are respected by all parties and also acknowledging the fact that from time to time there will come a need for an employer and employee to part ways.”

Originally published as NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo issues warning to Nine as TV rights talks reach crucial point