What’s the Buzz: Channel 9 benches legends for Magic Round
Channel 9’s biggest names were nowhere to be seen on the opening two nights of the NRL’s Magic Round coverage.
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Channel 9 has snubbed its NSW experts and commentators on the opening two nights of Magic Round. On Friday and Saturday nights there was no Freddy Fittler, Joey Johns, Phil Gould or Paul Gallen.
Instead of Freddy, Joey, Gus and Gal we got Cameron Smith, Paul Vautin, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer for the Manly v Broncos and Storm v Rabbitohs matches.
Even NSW match caller Mat Thompson was overlooked for Queenslander Peter Psaltis on the first two nights.
On a positive note, having a couple of nights off from Gus’ negativity was nice.
At least Joey and Freddy get a start on Sunday for the Roosters v Cowboys game.
FOUR STATES BID TO STEAL MAGIC ROUND FROM BRISBANE
The NRL has created a national bidding war for Magic Round potentially worth tens of millions of dollars to the game.
Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth have all shown “exceptionally strong interest” to pinch the event from Queensland, where the NRL is contracted for only one more year.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo presented to the independent commission last week regarding state government interest from around the country for the three-day spectacular.
“There has been exceptionally strong interest from around the country for all our major events, Magic Round in particular,” Abdo said.
“The commission is aware of this interest and the need to explore all commercial opportunities.
“Tourism Queensland and Brisbane City council have been terrific partners and we will obviously be talking to them as well because it has been such a huge success at Suncorp.”
The event injects $28m into the Queensland economy.
Almost 30 per cent of ticket buyers come from interstate.
All corporate suites for this year were sold out months in advance.
It’s a tough one for the NRL because Suncorp Stadium has become such a feel-good venue to host the event. It feels like it’s a natural home. However the opportunities in traditional AFL states cannot be underestimated and need to be explored.
Using Optus Stadium in Perth, Adelaide Oval or AAMI Park in Melbourne would give rugby league unprecedented exposure and marketing opportunities.
This is particularly important at a time when the NRL is looking at further expansion possibilities.
Whatever happens, the NRL will get a financial windfall from its next Magic Round agreement.
The Queensland government is paying only $7m for the event while the other states will be prepared to go as high as $15m.
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