Australian Rugby League commission chairman Peter V’landys and James Warburton discussed a future role as a commissioner for the outgoing Seven West Media chief executive at a meeting this week.
In a move that could have significant ramifications for the game’s next broadcast deal, negotiations over which are expected to formally begin within the next 18 months, V’landys has opened the door for the Channel Seven boss to take a lead role in the talks.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton.Credit: Getty
This masthead can reveal Warburton, who is a lifelong Canterbury Bulldogs fan, met V’landys in Sydney earlier this week, where the prospect of Warburton joining the commission was floated.
Sources talking on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely said Warburton was open to the idea of linking with rugby league in the future.
There is no vacancy on the eight-member independent commission currently, but the NRL is preparing to begin planning for the next television and streaming rights deal, with the current arrangement set to expire at the end of 2027.
When asked about the meeting with Warburton, V’landys declined to comment or confirm it had taken place.
News Corp boss Lachlan Murdoch and Peter V’landys during the double-header in Las Vegas.
“All I’ll say is there are currently no vacancies on the commission,” V’landys said on Thursday afternoon.
This masthead contacted Warburton, who also declined to comment specifically on the potential opportunity with the NRL.
“I’m focused on my transition at Seven and haven’t made any decisions on my future yet,” Warburton said.
Wayne Pearce has been on the commission since its inception in 2012, while Tony McGrath is the next longest serving commissioner with a decade under his belt.
James Warburton and Patrick Delany (from left) pose for a photo with former AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan at the announcement of the code’s broadcast deal in 2022.Credit: Getty
Warburton, in his role as the boss of the Seven Network, worked closely with Fox Sports to secure a joint $4.5 billion deal with the AFL to keep the sport on the free-to-air network until the end of 2031.
The joint Fox Sports/Seven deal was worth a record $642 million per year and more than the AFL had counted on thanks to a $500 million bid from Nine Entertainment Co and a joint bid from Network 10 and Paramount Plus.
The NRL’s current TV deal, secured in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, is worth around $350 million to $400 million per year for free-to-air, pay television, international and radio rights.
Warburton has a close relationship with Fox Sports boss Patrick Delany and strong ties to Seven West Media, who have long expressed an interest in securing the NRL’s free-to-air rights from Nine Entertainment Co, the publisher of this masthead.
He also negotiated a lucrative deal with Fox Sports and Network Ten when he was the boss at Super Cars.
Warburton was last year photographed at lunch in Sydney with V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo in what was reported as a $150 million attempt to pinch rugby league’s showpiece State of Origin series from Nine.
It was reported that Seven wanted to launch a joint bid with Foxtel to simulcast the three games on Seven, Fox League, Kayo and 7plus.
The NRL is a proven ratings winner. The grand final between Brisbane and Penrith captured a national audience of 3.6 million. The 2023 State of Origin series recorded audiences of 3.4 million (game one), 3.2 million (game two) and 2.6 million (game three).
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now