Parramatta Eels reject deal with Western Sydney Stadium operator

Parramatta Eels have rejected a contract with Western Sydney Stadium, stalling negotiations and calling the plan “unacceptable”.

Bernie Gurr has called a contract by VenuesLive "unacceptable" leaving the club without a home ground for the 2019 season.

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The Parramatta Eels will be without a home ground when the 2019 NRL draw is released next week after rejecting a commercial terms proposal from Western Sydney Stadium operator VenuesLive.

In a letter to members, chief executive Bernie Gurr stated that the club’s management deemed the offer to be “unacceptable” following an “extensive six-month due diligence process.”

An aerial view of construction of Western Sydney Stadium which is expected to be completed in 2019. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“We have benchmarked the commercial terms of the current offer against offerings currently being received by NRL and other sports at a range of stadiums across … Australia,” Gurr said. “The current proposal … would adversely affect the ability of our club to invest in our football department including our NRL team and our junior elite football programs. The current agreement at ANZ (Stadium) has adversely impacted the club financially and we are not prepared to accept a new agreement that will continue to impact the club negatively for the next 25 years.”

NSW Government have released plans for transport and “state of the art technology” which Gurr said does not meet member standards.

Concept designs of the stadium.

A spokesman for VenuesLive said: “Discussions with the Parramatta Eels Rugby League Football Club in relation to commercial terms at Western Sydney Stadium are ongoing.

“The Eels are one of the great Sydney sporting clubs with one of the biggest supporter bases in the NRL, and the club has an enormous opportunity playing out of the new 30,000-seat Western Sydney Stadium from 2019.

Parramatta Eels CEO Bernie Gurr at the Eels Football Club offices. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“Every attempt is being made to strike a deal in time for the release of the 2019 NRL Draw.

“While a deal has not been reached at this time, we remain committed to working with the Eels to ensure their Members and fans get to see all that the magnificent new Stadium has to offer in season 2019 and beyond.”

Gurr cites affordable food and beverage pricing, a clear public transport plan and reasonable event costs as the crucial areas to be agreed upon in any new deal.

“We are continuing our discussions … in an attempt to resolve this matter quickly so that our members and supporters have a clear understanding of the WSS schedule for 2019,” he said.

The Eels say that they are still hopeful of playing the opening game of the stadium once an arrangement is reached.