Fox trap: NRL targets free-to-air TV deal in America

The NRL knows it needs to snare a free-to-air TV deal in the US, and it is about to start looking for a network to take the game.

As we told you last week, Fox boss Lachlan Murdoch was at the Las Vegas double-header last weekend, and he kept his word by popping in to see ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and those in his box at the game.

What is more important is finding a free-to-air network to partner the game in America. It’s all very well to land a deal with Fox Sports 1, but look at the sports in Australia that are only on pay TV – they are either struggling or on the way out. Free-to-air TV still has an advantage.

Right now, though, the link with Fox is invaluable. Murdoch, accompanied by his wife Sarah, mingled for about half an hour. He was warm to everyone in the box and his appearance showed how much he thinks of the sport. At this moment, Murdoch more than any other person holds the key to the NRL cracking the US.

Plenty of commentators seized on the unimpressive TV figures in the US. But what did they expect when the game was on Fox Sports 1, where viewers had no real idea of what they were watching.

Yes, there was the brilliant explainer from Russell Crowe, and a decent campaign to promote the game on the channel, but the sport is still hugely unknown.

Lachlan Murdoch and Peter V’landys.

The only time I saw the game mentioned on American news was on the local Fox network in Las Vegas. Even then, it was a throwaway mention. The fans got just as much publicity as the actual games did in the lead-up.

Afterwards, it was usually a mention at the end of a sports break, with no context as to what the game was about and why the players were here.

Murdoch can throw the NRL airtime on his channel but, in the end, the game may have to come out from behind the pay TV wall. You have to wonder whether that is possible. Knowing the way V’landys and his team operate, they will be looking at every possible avenue to make this a success.

Fox drops the ball

Fox Sports Australia spent a truckload of money trying to own the coverage of the Las Vegas double-header, and largely did a very good job. The Matty Johns specials were excellent and the set built to host the magazine shows was impressive. Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany performed the official coin toss for the first game. And he deserved to be there, given his company’s huge outlay.

But on game day, from a journalistic point of view, Fox dropped the ball badly.

The only genuine talking point out of the games was the racial slur Spencer Leniu aimed at Brisbane’s Ezra Mam. Fox viewers should have heard from the Roosters prop, but instead of seizing the opportunity to interview Leniu, the network was focused on trying to boot Channel Nine cameras and reporters off the field.

The NRL issued Nine – which broadcast the second game live on free-to-air TV – with on-field access passes for both games, but the exclusive coverage of the opener between Manly and Souths was respected by Nine, including this reporter. Post-match interviews were carried out in Manly’s sheds.

The Leniu incident came in the second game, of which Nine was part of the coverage. Triple M reporter Brent Read snaffled a radio interview with Leniu, and Nine News did the same before being kicked off the field despite having the correct pass.

Fox’s focus on removing two Nine cameras from the field was stronger than its focus on securing the Leniu interview, which should have been its priority. When it came to the post-game show, at least Bryan Fletcher had the sense to ask Rooster Sam Walker about the incident. The issue dominated the news cycle for days.

Fox were in the box seat, but arrogance caused the network to miss an open goal.

Suaalii smoothing feathers for Roosters return?

A quiet moment shared by Joseph Suaalii and his one-time mentor in the lobby of a Las Vegas resort suggested the Roosters winger is in a great headspace to deal with another year of the NRL roller coaster.

Joseph Suaalii.Credit: NRL Photos

Suaalii, who was strong in game one of the final year of his league contract, had to deal with acres of commentary about his future last season when he shocked the Roosters by signing with Rugby Australia for 2025. At one point, it was reported he was set to be booted out of Bondi. But he has made peace with all the right people at the Roosters, to the point where he will probably be back in three years when his rugby deal runs out.

“I just want to take all the right steps this year to make sure I leave the club on the best note,” Suaalii said.

But it was a chat with the man who shaped his early career that said so much more. Art dealer Steve Nasteski funded Suaalii and his family at times when the assumption was that he would become a South Sydney player when he turned 18. His decision to join arch-rivals the Roosters put a strain on their relationship – which almost ended completely when Nasteski said Suaalii had to be the Roosters fullback ahead of James Tedesco.

But the pair appear to have buried the hatchet in Vegas, and that can only be a positive for Suaalii. Nasteski didn’t want to discuss the conversation but it’s clear they are on the same page again. Nasteski predicted Suaalii’s future was with the Wallabies – but Roosters boss Nick Politis is already aiming to have him back in three years.

Banking on support

While V’landys and Andrew Abdo deservedly get most of the accolades for the Las Vegas venture, V’landys himself has heaped praise on investment banker Robert Murphy.

Murphy was born in Sydney but moved to New York years ago and is a partner in the strategic advisory group at PJT Partners. He’s been at the forefront of some of the biggest merger and acquisition deals in sports and entertainment in the US, and was a key sounding board for V’landys and others in the Las Vegas project.

“One of the positive outcomes of Vegas was discovering Robert Murphy,” V’landys said.

“He is an absolute superstar. He’s an Australian, who has gone under the radar, that is having a major impact on some big commercial deals in the US. He’s the ultimate can-do man.”

Murphy is a diehard Manly fan and was cheering when they beat Souths.

PVL off with a bang

V’landys worked around the clock in Vegas but he did sneak out one morning to enjoy himself at a gun range. It’s one of the more popular activities in a town where you can pretty much do anything you please.

Breakfast club

Who were the early morning gym-goers at Resorts World, where the media and officials were staying? Not surprisingly, the keenest was commissioner Wayne Pearce – still fit as a fiddle at the age of 63. Souths coach Jason Demetriou was another, as was Braith Anasta.

Strange fates for the NRL’s advance guard

About three months ago, four NRL stars went to Vegas on a promotional trip – and their fates since then have been fascinating.

The four players were Campbell Graham, Aaron Woods, Spencer Leniu and Billy Walters.

Souths centre Graham didn’t make it for the big game due to a sternum injury.

Woods’ infectious personality made him a media star on the promotional trip, but he was a spectator last weekend after not being selected in Manly’s 17.

Leniu’s travails have been well documented after the Roosters prop used a racist slur against Brisbane’s Ezra Mam. And Walters was one of the Broncos players who backed up Mam’s assertion Leniu had called him a “monkey”.

Souths centre Campbell Graham, Brisbane hooker Billy Walters, Roosters forward Spencer Leniu and Manly’s Aaron Woods in Las Vegas on a promotional trip.Credit: NRL Photos

Having got to know all those players in some capacity, the one who really surprised me was Leniu.

I want to state very clearly that what he said was entirely unacceptable and an appropriate penalty must be imposed.

This is not to mitigate his acts, but it’s also true that Leniu was polite, engaging and respectful on the promotional trip. It was clear he has a deep love for his partner and family, and he struggled to leave Penrith and move to the eastern suburbs. He also respects the game he is playing and the people in it. Roosters players speak glowingly of him.

When I spoke to him after the game, he said he’d been highly nervous before his debut. He’s a combative individual and prone to losing his cool on the field. There’s no question his comment wasn’t made without other comments coming his way, but he won’t go down that path.

While I don’t know him well enough to understand all his views in life, this episode will change him forever. Leniu no doubt did not understand the hurt his slur would cause. He now gets the chance to prove to everybody that he is better than his words.

Show takes a turn

As The Sunday Footy Show enters its 31st year, stand by for a significant change with the addition of a segment inspired by Andrew Johns.

“TURN IT UP” will replace the journalist discussion segment “Inside the 10”. Johns, Billy Slater, Brad Fittler and Danika Mason will be joined by special guest Phil Gould – bringing together the most influential opinions in the NRL. No topic will be off limits on the round-table discussion.

Wide World of Sports head of strategy Simon Fordham said: “TURN IT UP was an idea from the Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns, who wanted to give footy fans a new take on the game.

“It will give fans some incredible insights into the smartest and most experienced minds in the game. We felt it was time to go with something fresh and we can’t wait for this round-table footy discussion every week.”

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