NRL drama as report names three loved TV figures

Drama has suddenly emerged in NRL TV land with three of rugby league’s biggest-names at the centre of the intrigue.

Drama has erupted in NRL TV land with three of the code’s biggest stars yet to make decisions on their futures.

As first reported by Code Sports, Phil Gould, Matty Johns and Braith Anasta are set to open negotiations with their respective networks as the industry prepares to witness the impact global streaming giant DAZN will have in the game.

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It comes with leading rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield reporting in The Sunday Telegraph, Gould has a “lifetime” deal with Nine — if the veteran broadcaster wants it.

Rothfield told Sky Sports Radio on Sunday, Channel 9 wants Gould to remain with the network and insist the 67-year-old won’t be leaving.

Rothfield said he expects the status quo will continue into next season, despite some uncertainty about what the next chapter holds for Fox League since DAZN’s acquisition of Foxtel was made official last month.

Phil Gould, Matty Johns and Braith Anasta.

Johns remains the most loved entertainer in rugby league and has been the face of the network since his arrival in 2012.

Anasta, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the best hosts and analysts in the sport — particularly since taking over as host of Fox League’s NRL 360.

Rothfield said the situation at Fox League is “very interesting”, noting DAZN is renown more for its live sport content rather than “magazine” panel shows like NRL 360.

“I still think it will remain the status quo and DAZN will run Matty Johns and will run NRL 360 and all those great shows on the network,” he said.

“I think they will both stay, however, costs are tight at this new company. And it’s a watch-this-space.”

Rothfield’s verdict that all three broadcasters will remain in their roles will be sweet music to the ears of fans.

It comes with the NRL also heading towards its next round of broadcast rights negotiations.

There are two years left on the NRL’s existing agreement with Foxtel and Nine, but ARLC chairman Peter V’landys in January set a mid-year deadline for finalising the competition’s next broadcast arrangement.

The NRL is getting more eyeballs than ever before, and the addition of more clubs by the end of the decade has put them in a strong bargaining position.

Last time the deal was up V’landys struck a whopping $1.7 billion deal with Foxtel and Channel 9 in 2020 and will be hoping for an even more lucrative deal this time.

V’landys said in January: “We have got the most valuable rights in Australian sport. Last year we were the most viewed sport in Australia.

“It will also depend on if someone else wants the rights and there will be plenty of parties wanting the rights.

“The way free-to-air TV is going – sport, reality TV and news is their whole ball game. They are not competing for the other content anymore.”