Monday Buzz: First look at NRL’s bumper TV advertising campaign for 2024

The saturation coverage of the NRL Las Vegas season opener has pushed the other 13 clubs into the background – until now, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

In case you’d forgotten … There are six games of premiership football to be played in two weeks’ time.

The saturation coverage of Las Vegas and the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Broncos and Sea Eagles has pushed the other 13 clubs into the background.

This is why the NRL launched their impressive 2024 advertising campaign on TV on Sunday with a series of commercials showing off Dally M champion Kalyn Ponga and all the stars of the game.

It’s all about big hits and spectacular tries.

It’s an advertisement to pump up the interest around 32 weeks of rolling entertainment, not just next weekend in Las Vegas.

All 17 clubs get a start on the advertisement.

To ensure the campaign resonates with fans across the game in all areas, there are different edits for NSW, the ACT, Victoria, North Queensland and Brisbane.

Screengrab from the NRL's TV campaign.

Screen shot from NRL 2024 season ad.

ABDO’S JOB SAFE DESPITE RUMOURS

Andrew Abdo can board the NRL’s charter jet to Las Vegas on Tuesday for the most anticipated season-opener in rugby league history knowing that his job is safe and secure.

Former Queensland premier and independent commissioner Peter Beattie has joined Peter V’landys in unequivocally dismissing any suggestion that the chief executive was on the outer.

Beatie says: “I want both Peter and Andrew to stay indefinitely.

“They deliver as a combination. Honestly, it’s a dream team.

“They complement one an other. It’s like the Penrith halves (Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai).

“They’ve reshaped the game and we’re in a strong position but there’s more to do.”

Abdo’s future has been the subject of much debate over the last six months.

There had been pressure from powerful clubs and the RLPA around his management style and the painfully slow player salary negotiations last year.

Not that there was any sign of unrest at the NRL’s AGM last week where a profit of $58 million was revealed after record breaking handouts to the 17 clubs and the players.

ARLC chairman Peter V'landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Only the QRL’s Ben Ikin and Bruce Hatcher had anything to whinge about.

Beattie compares the mood in the room to how ugly it was when he first joined the independent commission and the game was in a political mess.

“Last week was like a Christmas gathering compared to my first meeting (when John Grant was chairman),” he said. “The tension in the room used to be so immense. The game’s in such a good space now and there’s a lot of respect and goodwill.”

V’landys has committed as chairman for another three years at the AGM but is already working on a succession plan, which many believe will eventually see the impressive Kate Jones take over as chair.

“Kate has a lot of ability and works very hard,” Beattie said. “She will learn from the master.

“Whoever comes after Peter is going to have a much easier job because of where the game is right now.

Peter Beattie has backed the Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo combo. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

“With the growth of the women’s game it would be superb to have her as chair.

“She’s been there since 2020. She’s seen how Peter works. That’s important because when Peter goes you don’t want to see the whole thing unravel.”

As Beattie says there is still much work to be done.

It’s okay to be talking about the NRL buying the UK super league or starting a 10-team professional league in America.

Our own backyard is more important.

The AFL has announced a $1 billion investment in pathways and community football over the next decade. They’ll chase kids in rugby league areas.

The NRL is currently in a legal stand-off with the NSWRL and the QRL which doesn’t help considering the two outfits run junior football.

After Las Vegas, participation and pathways need to be high on the agenda. Then there’s expansion. An 18th team and then eventually two more. Plus the next TV broadcast deal. It’s why having the stability of V’landys and Abdo running the show is so important.