NRL set for massive payday in historic Foxtel, Nine broadcast deal

Heckler

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Phil Rothfield and Peter Badel, The Sunday Telegraph

May 10, 2020 6:00am

The NRL is on the verge of being saved from the financial scrapheap. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Peter V’Landys is just days away from inking one of the richest deals in Australian sporting history with broadcasters Foxtel and Channel 9.

The cash-strapped NRL is just days away from securing a stunning new TV broadcast deal worth up to $2.3 billion, the richest in Australia’s sporting history.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Channel 9 and Fox Sports are on the verge of agreeing to a lucrative seven-year contract that will lift rugby league from a financial scrapheap, safeguard the game’s long-term viability and guarantee the survival of all 16 clubs.

Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys is hoping to reach an agreement in principal by Friday for the remaining three years of the current contract plus a four-season extension until 2027.

It would be the most lucrative broadcast deal in the history of Australian sport, averaging out at almost $330 million a season – a remarkable outcome given the long-term global financial uncertainty over the COVID-19 crisis.

The contract will be heavily discounted for this season because of the reduction to 20 rounds although the NRL is expecting ratings to increase because fans cannot attend the venues.

After weeks of uncertainty over Channel 9’s position with their free-to-air, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the network has been forced back into negotiations with an improved offer because of a fierce public backlash over their threats to abandon the game.

It is a spectacular backflip after expressing a willingness to walk away from the sport last week.
“It’s not a given that NRL has to be part of our future,” Marks said.
The finer details of the match scheduling for both networks is still being thrashed out.

There would be scope in the new contract to adjust the figures if future expansion into Brisbane and other areas delivers more content.
V’landys was reluctant to comment yesterday because of confidentiality agreements with both Fox Sports boss Patrick Delany and Channel 9 chief executive Hugh Marks.

Both partners have acted in great faith and I believe we’re very close,” V’landys said.

“Hopefully we’ll have it finalised by next Friday. That’s my aim.

“The loyalty factor has been important because you want to look after your partners who have been with the game for a long time.”
The digital component of the deal and the future of the NRL website is still to be sorted.

Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith has a long history in local and international broadcast deals. He says this is a great outcome for all parties.

“Peter V’landys has been the saviour of the NRL, no doubt for me,” Smith said.

“In this climate, if you ask what represents a good broadcast deal, I would say anything from $300 million to $350m a year is an excellent result.
“V’landys is a master negotiator, he is a street fighter and he is not afraid to take the bull by the horns. He looks at the outcome and he actually delivers on it.

“Seriously, if Peter can achieve in excess of $300 million, that is fantastic.”

The new TV contract will allow the NRL to establish a seven-year strategic plan, including grassroots development, long-term investments, possible expansion and a stadium policy for Sydney’s nine clubs.
V’landys has vowed to slash $50 million in costs from NRL headquarters and put spending restrictions in place for coaching, sports science and general football expenditure at the clubs.

This will allow the game rebuild from its ‘catastrophic’ financial crisis and ensure money is available from the new television deal to invest $500 million from the new deal over the next seven years.
 

Baby Blues

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Queue the same media report in 3 years stating the NRL were dumb for selling the rights this far into the future....
 

doggieaaron

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Seriously peter v is a magician to negotiate this in times like this,rl is so lucky to have him.
 

silva

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Pretty easy product to sell. Highest rating program is origin. What happened to salary cap reduction..this should see it go up
 

BELMORE

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Pretty easy product to sell. Highest rating program is origin. What happened to salary cap reduction..this should see it go up
And what do you do for a living that requires so much skill, smarts and effort
 

Heckler

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I wonder if the AFL will get a better deal?
 

doggieaaron

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Pretty easy product to sell. Highest rating program is origin. What happened to salary cap reduction..this should see it go up
Not so easy when most businesses have no money due to covid19
 

boggie23

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I wonder if the AFL will get a better deal?
I think 7 years is a long long time. But when you are backed in the corner it’s your only option.

Wouldn’t surprise me if AFL battle through the tough times and re-negotiate a cracking deal. Their rights run through to the end of 2021. So if they can hold off for another 6 months I’m sure things will start to get back to normal and the 300 million per year might be 350 per year.

with nrl fair enough in the current climate you’d suck someone off for a roll of toilet paper. But in 2026 will 330 million be seen as enough? With a good ceo I don’t see why not. But hopefully the stupidity in the bunkers and multiple refs and private jets and chauffeur cars and that is a thing of the past. With smart governance the game will thrive. With stupidity from past administrators it will diminish like it has.
 

Alan79

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I'm pretty sure the current deal is worth more per season. Vlandys has fucked up if he signs off on a massive pay decrease for seven years.
 

jasonsmith11

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and wasnt it only 3 days ago they said nine was rethinking contract , standbye for no jab play verdict
 

Papa Emeritus

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Well this came out of no where. I thought the deal was going to be a lot less than the previous deal.
 

silva

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Not so easy when most businesses have no money due to covid19
Most businesses? Most businesses are still operating and the minority that have closed will reopen soon. Not that a local cafe will plonk down a mill to sponsor the nrl.
 

CroydonDog

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"the NRL is expecting ratings to increase because fans cannot attend the venues."

I have some serious doubts about that.

A hundred times more people watch games on tv, or listen on radio, than actually attend them. You might add 10000 viewers who would normally be at the games, but you would possibly lose just has many who have lost a bit of interest in the footy, plus I'd also imagine many have cancelled foxtel/kayo subs.
 

doggieaaron

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Most businesses? Most businesses are still operating and the minority that have closed will reopen soon. Not that a local cafe will plonk down a mill to sponsor the nrl.
Most businesses yes are struggling big time
 

Caveman

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Hope that does not include international rights.
 

kungfuman

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Most businesses? Most businesses are still operating and the minority that have closed will reopen soon. Not that a local cafe will plonk down a mill to sponsor the nrl.
Our sponsor that jumped wouldnt have too much spare cash
 

El Padrino

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Phil Rothfield and Peter Badel, The Sunday Telegraph

May 10, 2020 6:00am

The NRL is on the verge of being saved from the financial scrapheap. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Peter V’Landys is just days away from inking one of the richest deals in Australian sporting history with broadcasters Foxtel and Channel 9.

The cash-strapped NRL is just days away from securing a stunning new TV broadcast deal worth up to $2.3 billion, the richest in Australia’s sporting history.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Channel 9 and Fox Sports are on the verge of agreeing to a lucrative seven-year contract that will lift rugby league from a financial scrapheap, safeguard the game’s long-term viability and guarantee the survival of all 16 clubs.

Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys is hoping to reach an agreement in principal by Friday for the remaining three years of the current contract plus a four-season extension until 2027.

It would be the most lucrative broadcast deal in the history of Australian sport, averaging out at almost $330 million a season – a remarkable outcome given the long-term global financial uncertainty over the COVID-19 crisis.

The contract will be heavily discounted for this season because of the reduction to 20 rounds although the NRL is expecting ratings to increase because fans cannot attend the venues.

After weeks of uncertainty over Channel 9’s position with their free-to-air, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the network has been forced back into negotiations with an improved offer because of a fierce public backlash over their threats to abandon the game.

It is a spectacular backflip after expressing a willingness to walk away from the sport last week.
“It’s not a given that NRL has to be part of our future,” Marks said.
The finer details of the match scheduling for both networks is still being thrashed out.

There would be scope in the new contract to adjust the figures if future expansion into Brisbane and other areas delivers more content.
V’landys was reluctant to comment yesterday because of confidentiality agreements with both Fox Sports boss Patrick Delany and Channel 9 chief executive Hugh Marks.

Both partners have acted in great faith and I believe we’re very close,” V’landys said.

“Hopefully we’ll have it finalised by next Friday. That’s my aim.

“The loyalty factor has been important because you want to look after your partners who have been with the game for a long time.”
The digital component of the deal and the future of the NRL website is still to be sorted.

Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith has a long history in local and international broadcast deals. He says this is a great outcome for all parties.

“Peter V’landys has been the saviour of the NRL, no doubt for me,” Smith said.

“In this climate, if you ask what represents a good broadcast deal, I would say anything from $300 million to $350m a year is an excellent result.
“V’landys is a master negotiator, he is a street fighter and he is not afraid to take the bull by the horns. He looks at the outcome and he actually delivers on it.

“Seriously, if Peter can achieve in excess of $300 million, that is fantastic.”

The new TV contract will allow the NRL to establish a seven-year strategic plan, including grassroots development, long-term investments, possible expansion and a stadium policy for Sydney’s nine clubs.
V’landys has vowed to slash $50 million in costs from NRL headquarters and put spending restrictions in place for coaching, sports science and general football expenditure at the clubs.

This will allow the game rebuild from its ‘catastrophic’ financial crisis and ensure money is available from the new television deal to invest $500 million from the new deal over the next seven years.
images (9).jpeg
 

kungfuman

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I think 7 years is a long long time. But when you are backed in the corner it’s your only option.

Wouldn’t surprise me if AFL battle through the tough times and re-negotiate a cracking deal. Their rights run through to the end of 2021. So if they can hold off for another 6 months I’m sure things will start to get back to normal and the 300 million per year might be 350 per year.

with nrl fair enough in the current climate you’d suck someone off for a roll of toilet paper. But in 2026 will 330 million be seen as enough? With a good ceo I don’t see why not. But hopefully the stupidity in the bunkers and multiple refs and private jets and chauffeur cars and that is a thing of the past. With smart governance the game will thrive. With stupidity from past administrators it will diminish like it has.
Dont forget the ring for someones wife!
 
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