NRL 2022 news: Former Channel 9 boss Hugh Marks to lead negotiations with players over CBA
The former Channel 9 boss who famously took aim at the NRL for having a “bloat-headed office” has joined forces with the code in a surprise union.
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The NRL has joined forces with former channel 9 boss Hugh Marks to take on pay negotiations with the players ahead of the collective-bargaining agreement showdown.
Marks has been appointed by the NRL to work as a consultant to handle the talks on behalf of the game’s governing body and the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA).
It is understood the NRL want an independent voice leading their discussions with the players in a bid to take out any emotion from either side.
The collective bargaining-agreement expires at the end of this season with talks to step-up in coming weeks.
Ex-first grader Clint Newton runs the RLPA.
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The move comes almost two years since Marks threatened to take rugby league off the Nine network during tense broadcast negotiations while the code was crippled by the Covid-19 shutdown. He managed to negotiate a significantly reduced deal for Channel Nine.
The players feel they are in a strong position to push for a salary rise given the game’s strong financial position after the NRL posted a $43m surplus.
Large cuts were made to the game’s head office after Marks famously took aim at the NRL for a “bloat-headed office”.
The players shared an $11 million bonus because of the game’s financial performance.
Marks announced his resignation from nine in November, 2020. Nine negotiated a $400 million contract extension in December which means the network will retain free to air rights until 2027.
The NRL employed Marks’ partner Alexi Baker as chief customer and digital officer last May.
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