NRL responds to the RLPA media boycott as pay war explodes

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has delivered a fiery response to the RLPA’s dramatic media boycott, a decision he says will only damage the game. See Abdo’s full response and details of the boycott.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has hit back at the players union for freezing out the media – and by extension the fans – as part of a protest that threatens to overshadow the final game of the State of Origin series.

Abdo, responding to news that the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) would launch a media blackout from Thursday after slow progress of talks over the collective bargaining agreement, said he was disappointed that players had opted to go down a path that would punish the game’s most important stakeholders.

“Today it was disappointing to listen to and hear the actions that the players and the RLPA are going to be taking because as far as we are concerned they impact on our customers and fans the most,” Abdo said.

“The media are storytellers, the media take the game and the players to the fans. So a lockout of media access only punishes our partners, only punishes the fans.

“That is disappointing. The players are their heroes. This season has been phenomenal. Everybody in the rugby league community has contributed to a spectacular season.

“Who do the fans connect with? Their heroes, their players. So it is disappointing any time we talk about restricting the access the fans have to hear from their heroes.”

NRL bosses Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The stalemate

The NRL and players union have been at loggerheads for more than a year over the CBA, which dictates not only the size of the salary cap but a myriad of other matters concerning player rights.

Money is no longer the issue. The NRL has offered the biggest pot of money in the game’s history. More than $1.3 billion is due to be shared among the players over the next five years. The average salary is expected to soar north of $400,000. The minimum wage will rise, although the exact amount remains in dispute.

The major issues now centre around where the remainder of the money should be directed, who should have their hands on the purse strings and control over things such as retirement and injury hardship funds.

The RLPA also wants more say in player image rights, access to information, and agreement rights on matters that affect the players, including the prospect of playing more games.

The decision made by the RLPA is concerning. If the players are feeling nervous, they should be..
“Player-led” or not, in my opinion, a majority of these players would be completely unaware of the potential ramifications.

— Martin Lang (@Martin_Lang11) July 5, 2023

The talks have been simmering for months and they exploded on Wednesday as the RLPA finally lost patience, prompting chair Deidre Anderson and chief executive Clint Newton to accuse the NRL of attempting to intimidate and buy off the players.

“Over the past 20 months we have seen a disturbing pattern of the behaviour from the NRL and ARL Commission,” RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said.

“What we have seen has been a failure to respect the role of the players representative body, erosion of fundamental player rights and attempts to buy off players without understanding this CBA is about so much more than money.”

Abdo responded by suggesting the RLPA had been flexible with the truth when it came to the negotiations. He used the example of agreements rights on lengthening the season, pointing out the RLPA had been offered veto powers if it involved more than two games.

“Clearly at some point we need to draw a line in the sand,” Abdo said.

“We have chosen not to prosecute this matter by the media. We have certainly, we believe, tried to stay professional. Fans want to hear about football.”

RLPA: "This unreasonable ultimatum from the game’s administrators has forced players to take action that will see all players boycott media obligations on any day there is an NRL, NRLW or State of Origin match." https://t.co/b35lW2ZJ0J

— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) July 5, 2023

The broadcasters

Foxtel and the Nine Network provide about two-thirds of the game’s revenue, money which is used to pay the players via the salary cap.

Under their agreements, they have access to players before, during and after matches. That opportunity has now been lost after the RLPA said players would no longer conduct any media commitments from the start of the round until it is completed.

The final game of the State of Origin series, to be played in Sydney on Wednesday, will also be subject to the media blackout.

The only players who will continue to work with the media are those who have paid commitments.

“It is disappointing for our broadcast partners who do invest a lot and they are key stakeholders in the game,” Abdo said.

“I do continue to reach out to them and work with them on dealing with this matter. Naturally it is disappointing because they are big partners in the game.”

Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley couldn’t hide his disappointment with the RLPA stance.

“Even though Origin is on Nine, we want that to be a great success because it attracts new people to the game,” Crawley said.

“If we are going to have a mute 34 players there and we are going to mute them on such a grand occasion that happens only three times a year, I think the timing, whether it is deliberate or not, is appalling for the fans.

“I just don’t like people doing things that hurt people who have no say in it and have done nothing wrong. That never solves anything.”

Anderson added: “As you can see by the discomfort of everyone sitting here, none of us want to be here, none of us like this outcome …. but the players felt like there was no other alternative.

“It is not the best situation to be in. However, we were left with no other alternative.”

Storm captain Christian Welch has been a prominant voice in the pay war. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

The way forward

The RLPA wants to bring in an independent mediator to resolve the dispute and it may be the only way forward given the bad blood that now runs between the RLPA and NRL.

If you listen to the rumour mill, Newton and Abdo can’t stand each other. Anderson and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys have had their share of differences as well.

The game has already tried to bring in independent negotiators to help the process. Former Nine Network boss Hugh Marks had a go and departed in frustration. So did another former Nine executive, Brett Clegg.

Relations between head office and the players union are at an all-time low and unless one side gives ground, it is hard to see a way forward.

The game needs a circuit-breaker. The alternative, which includes the potential for games being lost, doesn’t bear thought.

“There is certainly no talk of that at this stage,” Abdo said.

“That would be a significant moment for us as a game and I don’t think that is on the table, but that is a question you have to ask the RLPA, not me.”

Newton insisted it had yet to be seriously discussed, although he hinted that it had been raised at a player meeting this week.

“Some players will not believe this is hard enough given this is 20 months into negotiations,” Newton said.

“Let that sink in. Players are reasonable, but ultimately you have to put everything on the table for players.”

CEO of the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) Clint Newton. Picture: AAP

READ THE FULL RLPA STATEMENT BELOW

Dear Members,

After meeting with over 50 player leaders from all clubs last night, players unanimously decided that we must take action as a result of the NRL’s rejection of our settlement proposal and their unacceptable demands of players.

The unreasonable ultimatum of the ARL Commission and the NRL, and their refusal to continue to negotiate the CBA, has forced the players into action.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

Players have determined that the action to take is that all players will boycott the media from the first NRL, NRLW (including trials) or State of Origin match of every week to the last. This action will commence tomorrow Thursday July 6th.

The media boycott includes no:

• Pre-match interviews (TV, radio, print, NRL.com)

• Half-time interviews (TV)

• Post-match interviews (TV, radio, print, NRL.com)

• Post-match press conference

• Media opportunities in the dressing rooms (TV, radio, print, NRL.com)

• Media opportunities in mixing zones (TV, radio, print, NRL.com)

• Direct communication with media via a player’s mobile phone or social media

If a Player’s team is not scheduled to play that day, the boycott is still in effect and includes:

• External media opportunities organised by a players’ Club (TV, radio, print, NRL.com)

• Any direct communication from media via a player’s mobile phone or social media

Players will take part in media during the boycott if:

• It is a Club-owned media commitment and specifically for the development of Club-owned content

(e.g. website, social media for the players’ club).

• Where a player has a current, pre-existing, individual arrangement in place with a media outlet

(radio/print/broadcast).

From Monday to Wednesday each week (unless there is an Origin match, then it will be Monday to Tuesday), there will be no media boycott.

If you have any questions about the above, please contact your RLPA Delegates or RLPA Player Operations Manager.

WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE?

The purpose of this player action is to force a change to the failed CBA process and deliver three (3) critical outcomes:

1. A complete draft collective bargaining agreement with terms covering all NRL and NRLW players, ready for ratification by NRL and NRLW players. And in the interim:

2. The NRL and RLPA must commence meetings with an industrial relations mediator to work

between both documents (the RLPA’s settlement proposal and the NRL’s response) and mediate an outcome on all issues.

3. All NRL player benefits and support payments must return to pre-COVID levels agreed upon under the original CBA (2018 - 2022). We will also be raising a formal dispute to challenge the NRL’s decision.

This player action is supported by the RLPA Board.

WHY ARE PLAYERS TAKING ACTION?

The overwhelming feedback we have heard from players is that we are all united. Players have been clear in their unity and need for action, based on our player leader meeting last night and during all our recentclub visits.

We have been forced into this position because of the NRL’s take-it-or-leave-it offer for your CBA. The NRL and ARL Commission have effectively halted negotiations.

We are the party that is trying to keep things moving and reach an agreeable position. They have accepted all concessions the players made to settle negotiations, but have made over 100 changes which further erode player positions.

The NRL and ARL Commission don’t want to hear from players anymore. But it is clear they want to retain unreasonable power over us and your Association.

The NRL and ARL Commission also believes that NRL player benefits should be paid at COVID-reduced levels. Our firm position is that NRL players are owed millions in benefits – a debt that the NRL must pay.

It is unfair for players to be kept at COVID-reduced levels while the NRL generates record revenues.

We now find ourselves close to November 1, and if no agreement is reached by then there will be no CBA in place for both men and women (women will still have their terms sheet in place, but no CBA with additional terms and conditions). That would hold huge consequences for our game and would be putting the livelihoods of players and clubs in jeopardy.

Please remain aware that key figures of NRL management and the ARL Commission will attempt to work against us through the media and stakeholders, or by contacting you directly. The media will also take this opportunity to attack and demonise us.

The key to player action, however, will be that we all remain strong and united to eventually get the three outcomes above that we are demanding.

HOW WILL WE SUPPORT PLAYERS?

To help support players, our next steps will be:

Holding a press conference today at 2.45pm to brief the industry on player action.

Speaking with your Club CEOs, Football Managers, and Media Managers to brief them on the

player action.

Requesting a meeting with the television broadcasters (Channel Nine and Fox Sports).

Creating social media content for players to share and help spread our message.

We are standing up and holding firm to represent the will and conviction of the players, and we will continue to stay strong for all of you - this matters because you matter, and believe in protecting your rights and your future.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact your RLPA Delegate or RLPA Player Operations Manager if you have any questions or need any support.