Todd Greenberg eyes contract extension after $13m windfall

Despite a horror year of headlines, the NRL has far exceeded its financial expectations and chief executive Todd Greenberg is set to be the big winner.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has delivered strong financial results.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has strengthened his claims for a contract extension amid revelations the game is ready to announce another year of strong financial results — less than a year after a spate of off-field indiscretions prompted fears of a financial crisis.

Details of the game’s finances, set to be confirmed at the annual general meeting on February 28, are expected to reveal the NRL exceeded expectations in 2019, the second successive year it has done so.

The exact amount is believed to be upwards of $3 million and while that would appear modest given last year was closer to $10 million, it needs to be considered in light of the dramas that engulfed the code a year ago.

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At the time, the NRL was fighting a public relations war following a slew of off-field dramas, the flashpoint being when St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin was charged with aggravated sexual assault.

The period was later dubbed the Summer of Hell.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has delivered strong financial results.

There was concern at the time the game could be left to fill a devastating financial black hole given the negative publicity generated by a series of off-field misdemeanours.

Those fears now appear ill-founded, although the NRL and players’ union will no doubt take different tacks when assessing how the damage was mitigated.

The NRL and commission will be quick to argue that concerns were alleviated by the ­introduction of the no-fault stand-down rule, which resulted in de Belin being stood down and sponsors appeased.

The Rugby League Players Association, which remains at loggerheads with the NRL over the no-fault stand-down policy, would suggest that its introduction was overkill and the game’s healthy finances reflect its belief that the NRL’s actions were over the top.

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De Belin has been back in court in recent days while the policy remains under fire from the players’ union, most notably last week when Greenberg was forced to rule on the immediate playing futures of Josh Reynolds, Tyrone May, Maika Sivo and Curtis Scott.

It is understood the NRL’s financial results have been helped by the introduction of Magic Round in Brisbane as well as the success of the State of Origin series, which played to a full house in Perth and reached a decider at ANZ Stadium.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has had a string of financial successes. Picture: Adam Yip

Relations between the NRL and players’ union are still frosty and it is understood the matter is headed to arbitration.

In the meantime, relationships between the parties have plumbed new depths, leaving a number of matters unresolved.

The NRL and players’ union are yet to finalise a long-form agreement of the collective bargaining agreement they struck nearly two years ago.

They are also yet to begin a promised review of the illicit drug-testing policy, while discussions over a transfer and trade window have reached an impasse.

The healthy financial results come at the perfect time for Greenberg, who is locked in talks with the ARL Commission over a contract extension.

He has a two-year option in his contract, worth more than $1 million a year, and it is understood talks have been positive in the eyes of both parties as they look to tie-up a new deal before the season begins.

Originally published as Todd Greenberg eyes contract extension after $13m windfall