chisdog
Kennel Legend
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2010
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Rugby league is the most resilient sporting code in the world and it boasts some of the most passionate supporters, who are willing to fight for the survival of their respective teams.
So why are they being taken for a ride?
COVID-19 prevented them from attending stadiums across Australia last year and to stave off the financial threat of the pandemic, the clubs asked their fans to forfeit the money they forked out for their memberships.
The majority of the paying members happily obliged, with the donation to guarantee the long-term future of the teams they follow.
You'd think the supporters would be rewarded for their loyalty. Unfortunately, it's quite the opposite.
I've been inundated with emails over the last fortnight from disgruntled supporters, who are venting their frustration and complaining about the clubs that are jacking up the prices for a membership and a ticket to the footy.
James is a paying member of the St George Illawarra Dragons and writes: "Mark, I know it's not a lot of money, but it's a slap in the face for Red V members when I've been handing over my money for 40 years.
"I stuck by the club last year and handed over my money again, but got nothing in return because of COVID and as thanks, they jack up the prices."
The Dragons are selling merchandise on their website which is blatantly wrong, including a cap that says: "St George Illawarra founded in 1921."
Would you pay $40 for something that is factually incorrect?
The Penrith Panthers offered a $110 discount to the members who donated their memberships last-season, but they've still increased their prices.
Paul writes: "Mark, I've been a supporter and paying member of the Panthers for as long as I can remember and I'm now 52. I've emailed and spoken to the membership team at the club with no result."
"Last year with COVID-19 putting the game on hold, the Panthers asked ALL their members if they would like to donate their membership to the club to help them during what was going to be a tough time. Some did and some didn't.
"I might just be having a whinge, but the prices have gone up $40 this season."
Where's the reward for these people sticking solid?
You've then got the ultimate slap in the face on Saturday at Lottoland from the Manly Sea Eagles, who had the hide to ask their fans to fork out an extra $20 to sit in the stands to escape the driving rain.
Seriously, floodwaters were rising, homes were being swept away across NSW and the Sea Eagles wanted to make some extra money?
The supporters instead braved cyclonic conditions on the famous hill at Brookvale Oval, when the people running the club should have used some common sense and told the supporters to take up one of the empty seats in the grandstand.
'Kotzie' is complaining it cost him $90 for one adult and a six year to sit in the rain at Brooky.
If I'm receiving a mountain of complaints as a broadcaster, I can only imagine the phone calls and emails being made to Rugby League Central and the respective clubs. So what's the answer?
ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys has been referring to the supporters as "customers" and it's time the league adopted the same mentality as the retail sector: "The customer is always right."
Without the fans, we don't have the clubs and we certainly don't have a game. How are they supposed to relate to the players who are earning hundreds of thousands of dollars, when the supporters can't afford to take their families to the games?
The NRL is producing a fantastic product; in fact, it's the best it's been in a long time and it's now up to the league to make it affordable for families to experience the thrill at stadiums across Australia, instead of pricing the fans out of turning up to the games.
