NRL Grand Final state rivalry: Gladys Berejiklian under pressure to secure major deal
Gladys Berejiklian is under pressure to secure a deal within weeks to keep the NRL grand final in Sydney as rival states circle to claim the event. But the state government must come up with in excess of $10 million per year to seal the event for 2021 and 2022.
NSW
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Gladys Berejiklian is under pressure to secure a deal within weeks to keep the NRL grand final in Sydney as rival states circle to claim the event.
The state government must come up with a financial offer — understood to be in excess of $10 million per year — to make sure the game is played in Sydney in 2021 and 2022.
The money is required to compensate the NRL because NSW will only be able to offer the much smaller Moore Park stadiums with ANZ undergoing refurbishment, costing the game millions in ticket sales.
Having already granted an extension to negotiations, senior NRL figures are pushing for a decision by October 30, when the NRL Commission will hold a two-day planning retreat for the year ahead and ARL chairman Peter Beattie hands over the top job to racing supremo Peter V’landys.
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Negotiations have been hampered by former NSW sports minister John Sidoti being stood aside from ministerial duties amid a probe into property deals.
Skills Minister Geoff Lee is looking after the portfolio, but senior sources said the Premier needed to intervene and strike the deal as soon as this week.
“It shouldn’t have even gotten this far,” one source close to negotiations said.
In a statement issued last night, Mr Lee said: “NSW is the home of rugby league and we will continue to work closely with the NRL to achieve the best outcome for the people of NSW and keep the grand final in its spiritual home.”
Ms Berejiklian has a close relationship with NRL chief Todd Greenberg and the pair sat together at Sunday night’s grand final. It is understood both are keen to strike a deal, however, the NRL remains willing to take the game elsewhere — with Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane all touted as potential destinations — if the commercial case is strong enough.
The NRL board features Queenslanders such as Mr Beattie and Megan Davis, who will both advocate for their home state and have been lobbied by Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones.
While a deal has already been struck for the 2020 grand final to be hosted at the SCG, the venue only has a capacity of about 48,000 — well below ANZ which is currently just over 80,0000 — meaning there will be a big impact on ticket sales and therefore the bottom line.
There is an expectation other states will offer more cash than NSW but the NRL has loyalty to NSW because of its $2 billion investment in stadiums at the last election.
Mr Greenberg has repeatedly said he will not move into formal discussions with other states until it is deemed NSW will not make a sufficient offer.
Originally published as NRL Grand Final state rivalry: Gladys Berejiklian under pressure to secure major deal
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