NRL sticks to launch date but broadcast money question still up in the air

The NRL has been given the green light for a May 28 start by their broadcast partners but funding has yet to be finalised.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, left, after meeting with the chief executives of Foxtel and Nine Network, Patrick Delaney and Hugh Marks Picture: Toby Zerna

The NRL has been given the green light for a May 28 start by its broadcast partners and discussed an extended season that stretches potentially into November, but any decision on money will have to wait until next week when negotiations resume with Foxtel and the Nine Network.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys held closed-door talks with Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany and Nine Network boss Hugh Marks on Friday morning, the outcome a closely guarded secret after the trio agreed to keep their high-level talks in house.

Even the NRL hierarchy have been kept in the dark. Further talks are scheduled for early next week, an indication that key issues still need to be resolved.

It is understood money is the most significant one, the parties yet to agree on what the broadcasters will pay for the remainder of the year given the NRL will supply a shortened season.

The premiership is expected to be played over as many as 20 rounds — two have already been played — before the grand final arrives in late October. State of Origin would then be played during November, ensuring the games are given the greatest chance to feature crowds and corporate sponsors.

The Nine Network, which has exclusive rights to the Origin series, will have to juggle the series with its commitments to the T20 cricket World Cup.

However, there has been speculation the cricket could be postponed until February due to the coronavirus.

Regardless, it is understood the Nine Network has acknowledged it is contractually bound to broadcast the game and would appear willing to support its return.

Extending the season to as many as 20 rounds — there had initially been talk the sides would play each other once — will appease some of the clubs who felt they were disadvantaged had the opening two rounds been counted on resumption.

Beyond the broadcasters, the NRL is still involved in discussions with the federal government over the Warriors’ arrival in Australia.

The New Zealand side is likely to be based at Lennox Head in far northern NSW during their two-week quarantine period and are seeking a special exemption that would allow them to train during that time. The Warriors players, like all others, are still waiting to find out how much the game’s return will be worth to them. That will hinge on the broadcast negotiations, which all parties hope can be concluded early next week.

The easy solution would be for the broadcasters to pay a percentage of the games that are supplied against what was promised. Yet, the value of games is skewed by the Origin series and the grand final, which are worth more than regular season matches.

There is also an argument that the games aren’t worth as much due to the lack of crowds, and as a result, atmosphere. V’landys has taken it upon himself to resolve the impasse, the broadcasters having also raised the prospect of extending their current deals beyond 2022 as part of a new ­arrangement.

Clubs are still feeling the pain, the impact highlighted when the most powerful club in the game laid bare the extreme measures they have taken to survive.

In a document filed with the Australian Stock Exchange, the Brisbane Broncos outlined the cost-saving initiatives they had introduced to mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19.

Among the cost-savings measures introduced were a 75 per cent reduction in remuneration for the directors from April 1 until the end of the year. Chief executive Paul White has had his contact cut in half until October 31, when his current deal expires — both White and the Broncos have hinted that he could stay beyond then.

The club’s executive team and selected senior staff have taken a 20 per cent pay cut until the end of the year. Senior coaches including Anthony Seibold have done the same. The Broncos have also had 22 redundancies and asked some employees to use their long service and annual leave.

While the NRL attempts to thrash out a deal with broadcasters that will ensure the game receives money for returning on May 28, the likelihood is that crowds will still be locked out.

No club would feel that as much as the Broncos — the club averages crowds of around 30,000 at Suncorp Stadium.