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articleNRL CEO Dave Smith on Parramatta Eels Cap Breach
Twenty years after the super league war tore rugby league apart in australia, the nrl is today heading towards another revolt from angry clubs.
And in a move that could potentially lead to clubs blocking the next tv deal and tear down the independent commission, 10 clubs gathered on thursday for a high-powered meeting in sydney. Roosters godfather nick politis and penrith supremo phil gould were among the representatives, which also included canterbury’s heavy hitters ray dib and dr george peponis, parramatta’s steve sharp and cronulla’s damian keogh.
The daily telegraph understands the clubs were called on to unite as one to fight for more financial support and a greater say in the running of the game.
Some clubs feel as though they are being treated as outsiders in their own game and are not receiving a big enough slice of the overall revenue.
At this point clubs want to work through their grievances with nrl and boss dave smith to come to a resolution that they believe will ultimately benefit the sport and the club’s long-term viability.
Some clubs aren’t happy with current arrangements with the nrl.
But if they are ignored this could potentially explode into an all-out rugby league war. The daily telegraph understands clubs could block the tv deal beyond 2017 if they decided as a group not to take up their next offer of an nrl licence, which are negotiated in conjunction with the tv deal.
If that was to happen, it would effectively leave the nrl without a 16-team competition to sell. It has been estimated the next tv deal could be worth $2 billion but without the support of all clubs it would make it almost impossible to sell. While only 10 clubs attended the meeting, it is understood all clubs will be asked to unite ahead of the next chairman’s conference. That is scheduled for june 18 in melbourne, the day after state of origin two. What happens at that meeting could very well decide the future direction of the sport. The four clubs not invited were st george illawarra, wests tigers, newcastle and gold coast, who have either received emergency funding or have nrl appointed independent directors.
The daily telegraph was told among the objectives raised on included;
* that clubs get a say on who is appointed to the independent commission;
* cash-strapped clubs also want a greater share of the nrl revenue so they are in line with other major sports around the world; and
* they want to know where all the money is being spent.
As it stands clubs receive $7.5 million each year from the nrl, which equates to $120 out of a total $330 million purse.
The clubs are also confused as to why they aren’t being told the finer details about why certain clubs are getting more financial assistance, when so many are struggling to stay afloat.
With memberships, crowds and poker machine profits declining, a club boss recently told the daily telegraph that most clubs would be flatlining in a few years if they don’t get more help.
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