The future of Queensland’s NRL clubs remain unclear after coronavirus shutdown

NRL clubs’ existence on a financial tightrope are about to be fully exposed, and all three Queensland teams could be pushed to the brink by the decision to call a halt to season 2020.

Ben Hampton. NRL Round 1 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville. North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

• ‘Dramatic’ change forces staggering NRL shutdown
• Queensland’s Magic offer to save NRL season

Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold admits the future of rugby league’s flagship franchise is “unclear” as the NRL vowed to do all it could to keep clubs like the Gold Coast Titans alive.

The NRL is facing its biggest crisis in the game’s 112-year history after indefinitely suspending the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The suspension of the premiership will deliver a “catastrophic” financial blow to the game, with the NRL facing the possibility of folding if it cannot secure government assistance and resume the season this year.

The unprecedented move will have huge impacts on Queensland’s three NRL clubs, with the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys already implementing cost-cutting measures to stay afloat.

Seibold understands the scale of the problem facing rugby league. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England

The Broncos are the NRL’s richest club, with $14 million in the bank and amassing revenue of $52 million last year to confirm their status as the game’s off-field benchmark.

But Seibold admitted not even the Broncos were immune from the effects of the competition’s suspension and uncertainty surrounding the game.

“I’m really unclear on what it means for our club,” he said.

“Clubs are going to be bleeding money with no games and no crowds. I’d imagine there’s going to be some challenging times ahead for the NRL.

“We’re at a really good club that cares for its people. I’m sure our leaders will set a clear pathway for us. The priority is the health and wellbeing of people in our communities.

“We’ve put a lot of planning in place for if the season was suspended.

“Our priority is to get some clarity over the next few days from the NRL about what some contingencies are in regards to completing the season and what that looks like.”

MORE NEWS

Phil Rothfield on rugby league’s future as coronavirus forces NRL to shut down season 2020

However the NRL survives coronavirus shutdown, the game can be rebuilt better than ever

The Cowboys face a struggle for survival. Photo: Matt Taylor.

While the Broncos are financially well-placed to deal with the crisis, the Titans are facing a battle to stay afloat.

Club owners have been crunching the numbers for weeks on what a possible shutdown of the game would mean for the Gold Coast franchise.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell did not return calls on Monday night, but ARLC chairman Peter V’landys vowed the game would do all it could to keep the NRL’s 16 clubs afloat.