Corona impact on NRL...?

[cochise]

Call there bluff there top rating 4 programs every year is RUGBY LEAGUE !!!

There is a reason for that SOO and the GF same as the AFL GF..are still covered by anti-siphoning so viewers have no choice but to watch on FTA..

I'm sure tho Ch 7 or Ch 10 even the ABC or SBS would be interested in owning the rights for those games..screw 9..

I keep saying if we can survive without 9's money in 2020 we should tell them to screw themselves ....Fox would kill and die for SOO rights

We can't do that!

And why can 9 renegotiate the following 3 year deal before they negotiate this deal

Take the pricks to court

Depends on the wording of the contract and what it says in the Force Majeure clause. If a Force Majeure gives the option for the contract to be terminated by either or both parties, if it terminates the agreement. Usually a Force Majeure only suspends the contract for the length of the act of god event but that is not always the case! Its really hard to know what power both parties have without seeing the contract.

But in this case both parties aren't in agreement so how could a Force Majeure be applied ..maybe my understanding is incorrect

That is when a Force Majeure is used! Under normal circumstances, not providing games would put the NRL in breach of the contract and open them up to legal action from ch 9. The contract contains a Force Majeure which basically will cover the NRL from certain acts beyond their control that may prevent them from not being able to provide the game. This would hopefully include an Act of God clause, which covid 19 would have to be proven to be.

Now depending on the wording of the Force Majeure this could terminate the previous agreement, give the right to either or both parties to terminate the agreement, or which is most likely suspend the agreement until such time as the event is over and the NRL can provide games again.

 

[jirskyr]

Chances of the league actually starting on the 28th?
What are the bets?

Slim?
Slim to none?
No chance?
Zero?
4.2%

I just don’t get the date thing. NRL are like a bull at the gate with the attitude about this.
it won’t be NRL that make the final decision but they are really acting like they are the only ones with that starting flag.

Standard project management. If you don't set a date then you don't have a target to aim for. Human nature is that people don't work consistently (or at all) towards a nebulous goal, so if you say "we will open some time in the future" then the stakeholders basically do nothing, get annoyed at the lack of clarity, or worse, all do their own different thing.

In this particular instance, there's no real downside if they have to shift the date, and it's put everyone on notice - clubs, fans, broadcasters, politicians.

 

[jirskyr]

I think Wayne Pearce and the team are seeing how big a job this will be ......for me , every other sporting organization in the world has explored the option we and the AFL are trying and said NO ...too risky

Every country in the world has a different COVID-19 profile. No hell no way you'd re-open sport in Europe or US right now, 21/Apr/20, and they are straight away your two biggest sports markets. Same with another big market - China, as the source of the pandemic.

J-League in Japan has a tentative re-start date of 09/May/20. They've been pushing out the restart every month since Feb/20, after watching the domestic case load, but the reality is they are planning to restart as soon as they can, and currently almost a month in advance of the NRL (even if it gets pushed out again to June, it's not far behind the current NRL plan0. Furthermore, Japan has a worse caseload than Australia (total figures of 10.7K, not per capita) and hasn't yet seen a consistently downward trend in case load (reported 3rd-highest daily total of 628 cases just recently on 18/Apr/20). Japan hasn't yet even entered into full formal lockdown.

The Belarus Premier Football League never shut down!

We get our one up-side of rugby league in this moment - the lack of international connections and limited dependence on international travel. If you can get exemptions for the Warriors then you have a 100% domestic league in a country with a rapidly falling case load and geographical isolation advantages.

That is why NRL and AFL have different capacity to re-start.

Well if it is slotting all nicely into place as we are being led to believe why do we have nothing bar a start date lol

I didn't say it was slotting into place and personally I don't care for the minor details - just let me know when it's open.

BUT your comment was why are the NRL and AFL maneuvering to open when other world sports are not. I would have thought the answer was dead obvious, because each country has their own individual circumstances. Australia obviously unique position of flattening curve, plus easily isolated, plus NRL is an almost entirely domestic product and we don't need to rely much on other jurisdictions. AFL even more so, with no NZ involvement.

Then I made the point - Japanese Leagues are also planning to re-open. And in fact, the Korean Baseball League restarted its preseason trials just this week, with the regular season to open May 5. Do some reading before you make blanket statements about what all other world sports are doing.

 

[jirskyr]

I was suppose to be flying to the GC tomorrow for the Titans v Tigers game and then magic round next weekend v Sharks .....

Me too. And now Virgin is in administration, I have no idea if I get my credits back.

 

[JD Tiger]

Call there bluff there top rating 4 programs every year is RUGBY LEAGUE !!!

There is a reason for that SOO and the GF same as the AFL GF..are still covered by anti-siphoning so viewers have no choice but to watch on FTA..

I'm sure tho Ch 7 or Ch 10 even the ABC or SBS would be interested in owning the rights for those games..screw 9..

Its not just SOO and GF covered by anti-siphoning laws!

It is for Rugby League...they are the only Games exclusive to FTA...all other games including finals are allowed to be simulcast..that's siphoned of to other broadcast platforms..

That is not how the anti-siphoning list works though, the anti-siphoning list doesn't prevent pay tv from showing games, it prevents them from hoarding all the games. Simulcast doesn't breach anti-siphoning laws!

The anti-siphoning scheme aims to give free-to-air broadcasters a chance to show major events included on an anti-siphoning list.

The scheme stops pay television broadcasters from buying the rights to events on the anti-siphoning list before free-to-air broadcasters have the opportunity to purchase the rights. The anti-siphoning list includes events the minister believes should be made available free to the general public.
Free-to-air broadcasters don’t have to buy the rights to events on the list. Even if they do buy the rights, they don’t have to use them: they could broadcast the event later or not at all. If they do buy the rights, free-to-air broadcasters can’t premier (or exclusively show) it on their digital multichannels.

Every NRL game is on the list!

5 Rugby league football
(1) Each match in the National Rugby League Premiership competition (including the Finals Series).
(2) Each match in the National Rugby League State of Origin Series.
(3) Each international rugby league test match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(4) Each match of the Rugby League World Cup that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea.

Why do they not broadcast Origin and the GF then simulcast..?

Because Ch 9 pays for exclusivity!

Exactly..let 7 or 10 or ABC or SBS..have it..screw 9

That wasn't the what I was clarifying, I wasn't disagreeing just saying that the rights to all NRL games have to be offered to free to air!

Which proves only 9 care about Origin and GF..otherwise why wouldn't they buy the exclusive rights to the rest..

100% I agree, they actually want to reduce the games they broadcast weekly, but want to get Friday and Sunday games as exclusives and not simulcast.

The fact they want a shorter season shows that as well. Fox wants 22 rounds, 9 only want 15!

Maybe it's not realistic, maybe I'm dreaming, but what I would prefer is for the NRL to be in a position where they themselves can work out how long this and every season should go for and what days it is played on.

The NRL could consider factors that they deem relevant perhaps such as work out what is scientifically best for players recovery, and reduced injury, maybe playing each other once and pools of teams playing each other twice worked out via the previous year's final ladder, even deciding what days of the week games are played on to give each team an equal share of recovery time, working it out with the stadium commitments.

When they have their draw, then they could go to the media outlets, say this is our product, which we will not change and alter to your whim, who wants it?

I'm just sick of changing the days of the week games are played on, changing the time of the Grand Final, and I presume it's all just trying to appease Nine/Fox networks. Can't we just say this is our footy, stop telling us what's best for you, we don't care, we actually have principles which we aren't wiling to sell out on??

 

[cochise]

Call there bluff there top rating 4 programs every year is RUGBY LEAGUE !!!

There is a reason for that SOO and the GF same as the AFL GF..are still covered by anti-siphoning so viewers have no choice but to watch on FTA..

I'm sure tho Ch 7 or Ch 10 even the ABC or SBS would be interested in owning the rights for those games..screw 9..

Its not just SOO and GF covered by anti-siphoning laws!

It is for Rugby League...they are the only Games exclusive to FTA...all other games including finals are allowed to be simulcast..that's siphoned of to other broadcast platforms..

That is not how the anti-siphoning list works though, the anti-siphoning list doesn't prevent pay tv from showing games, it prevents them from hoarding all the games. Simulcast doesn't breach anti-siphoning laws!

The anti-siphoning scheme aims to give free-to-air broadcasters a chance to show major events included on an anti-siphoning list.

The scheme stops pay television broadcasters from buying the rights to events on the anti-siphoning list before free-to-air broadcasters have the opportunity to purchase the rights. The anti-siphoning list includes events the minister believes should be made available free to the general public.
Free-to-air broadcasters don’t have to buy the rights to events on the list. Even if they do buy the rights, they don’t have to use them: they could broadcast the event later or not at all. If they do buy the rights, free-to-air broadcasters can’t premier (or exclusively show) it on their digital multichannels.

Every NRL game is on the list!

5 Rugby league football
(1) Each match in the National Rugby League Premiership competition (including the Finals Series).
(2) Each match in the National Rugby League State of Origin Series.
(3) Each international rugby league test match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(4) Each match of the Rugby League World Cup that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea.

Why do they not broadcast Origin and the GF then simulcast..?

Because Ch 9 pays for exclusivity!

Exactly..let 7 or 10 or ABC or SBS..have it..screw 9

That wasn't the what I was clarifying, I wasn't disagreeing just saying that the rights to all NRL games have to be offered to free to air!

Which proves only 9 care about Origin and GF..otherwise why wouldn't they buy the exclusive rights to the rest..

100% I agree, they actually want to reduce the games they broadcast weekly, but want to get Friday and Sunday games as exclusives and not simulcast.

The fact they want a shorter season shows that as well. Fox wants 22 rounds, 9 only want 15!

Maybe it's not realistic, maybe I'm dreaming, but what I would prefer is for the NRL to be in a position where they themselves can work out how long this and every season should go for and what days it is played on.

The NRL could consider factors that they deem relevant perhaps such as work out what is scientifically best for players recovery, and reduced injury, maybe playing each other once and pools of teams playing each other twice worked out via the previous year's final ladder, even deciding what days of the week games are played on to give each team an equal share of recovery time, working it out with the stadium commitments.

When they have their draw, then they could go to the media outlets, say this is our product, which we will not change and alter to your whim, who wants it?

I'm just sick of changing the days of the week games are played on, changing the time of the Grand Final, and I presume it's all just trying to appease Nine/Fox networks. Can't we just say this is our footy, stop telling us what's best for you, we don't care, we actually have principles which we aren't wiling to sell out on??

Of course they could do that, but they then have to accept the loss of revenue that would cause and I don't think the NRL is in a position to do that!

 

[JD Tiger]

Call there bluff there top rating 4 programs every year is RUGBY LEAGUE !!!

There is a reason for that SOO and the GF same as the AFL GF..are still covered by anti-siphoning so viewers have no choice but to watch on FTA..

I'm sure tho Ch 7 or Ch 10 even the ABC or SBS would be interested in owning the rights for those games..screw 9..

Its not just SOO and GF covered by anti-siphoning laws!

It is for Rugby League...they are the only Games exclusive to FTA...all other games including finals are allowed to be simulcast..that's siphoned of to other broadcast platforms..

That is not how the anti-siphoning list works though, the anti-siphoning list doesn't prevent pay tv from showing games, it prevents them from hoarding all the games. Simulcast doesn't breach anti-siphoning laws!

The anti-siphoning scheme aims to give free-to-air broadcasters a chance to show major events included on an anti-siphoning list.

The scheme stops pay television broadcasters from buying the rights to events on the anti-siphoning list before free-to-air broadcasters have the opportunity to purchase the rights. The anti-siphoning list includes events the minister believes should be made available free to the general public.
Free-to-air broadcasters don’t have to buy the rights to events on the list. Even if they do buy the rights, they don’t have to use them: they could broadcast the event later or not at all. If they do buy the rights, free-to-air broadcasters can’t premier (or exclusively show) it on their digital multichannels.

Every NRL game is on the list!

5 Rugby league football
(1) Each match in the National Rugby League Premiership competition (including the Finals Series).
(2) Each match in the National Rugby League State of Origin Series.
(3) Each international rugby league test match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(4) Each match of the Rugby League World Cup that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea.

Why do they not broadcast Origin and the GF then simulcast..?

Because Ch 9 pays for exclusivity!

Exactly..let 7 or 10 or ABC or SBS..have it..screw 9

That wasn't the what I was clarifying, I wasn't disagreeing just saying that the rights to all NRL games have to be offered to free to air!

Which proves only 9 care about Origin and GF..otherwise why wouldn't they buy the exclusive rights to the rest..

100% I agree, they actually want to reduce the games they broadcast weekly, but want to get Friday and Sunday games as exclusives and not simulcast.

The fact they want a shorter season shows that as well. Fox wants 22 rounds, 9 only want 15!

Maybe it's not realistic, maybe I'm dreaming, but what I would prefer is for the NRL to be in a position where they themselves can work out how long this and every season should go for and what days it is played on.

The NRL could consider factors that they deem relevant perhaps such as work out what is scientifically best for players recovery, and reduced injury, maybe playing each other once and pools of teams playing each other twice worked out via the previous year's final ladder, even deciding what days of the week games are played on to give each team an equal share of recovery time, working it out with the stadium commitments.

When they have their draw, then they could go to the media outlets, say this is our product, which we will not change and alter to your whim, who wants it?

I'm just sick of changing the days of the week games are played on, changing the time of the Grand Final, and I presume it's all just trying to appease Nine/Fox networks. Can't we just say this is our footy, stop telling us what's best for you, we don't care, we actually have principles which we aren't wiling to sell out on??

Of course they could do that, but they then have to accept the loss of revenue that would cause and I don't think the NRL is in a position to do that!

If there was a sad face emoji, I would use that now.
Edit: Found it

 

[WT2K]

Peter V’landys has told Channel Nine he wants the NRL season length sorted by Friday and that it’s time for procrastinating in talks with broadcasters to stop.

Just 12 hours after Nine fired another shot at the sport and said claims of a definite May 28 return were “premature”, V’landys went on the network to launch an impassioned defence.

The ARL Commission chairman insisted the game could return, and backed biosecurity measures that will be handed to clubs on Friday. But he said he wanted the season structure sorted immediately, after almost two weeks of talks with Nine and Foxtel.

“We’ve got two different broadcasters. One has a different view to the other,” V’landys told the Today Show on Friday.

“Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season, between the two broadcasters.

“We will meet our contractual obligations to the broadcasters, but a decision has to be made.

“I think the procrastination has been taking long enough, and decisions will be made today.” It’s believed Nine are pushing for a shorter season which would run at closer to 17 rounds, with each team playing each other once plus some rivalry games. Foxtel would likely prefer a longer season, which could run for up to 22 rounds before finals.
V’landys also shot down claims the game was not on track for its return, accusing any of the sport’s detractors as “scaremongering”.

Nine claimed on Thursday night it was premature to be confirming a return date, noting a structure still had to be locked in as well as health and safety standards.

The players’ union are supportive but also want more answers around health and safety before committing to saying May 28 is a definite date. The game’s return has also split public opinion, after the NSW Government said the sport could come back as long as it provided a safe workplace for players. V’landys has claimed the biosecurity rules placed around the game will be the benchmark for all sports during the pandemic.

He is also insistent players will be safer when placed under the new rules than they are now, with no players contracting the virus while the competition has been on hold.

“Look, we have done our negotiation with governments,” V’landys said. “We are applying to governments. We are applying to governments. We’ll continue to do so.

“It’s five weeks away. In the last 14 days, our infection rate has been less than one per cent. We are confident that it’s safe.

“The risk is minimal to zero. So why shouldn’t we start playing? Why are we going to rob our fans and players, because of scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric?” V’landys also said the game planned on presenting the Queensland Government with a plan of their return on Friday, in a bid to have teams travel back and forth across the border.

That would save Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Queensland from all having to base themselves in NSW for the competition’s return.

The Project Apollo committee are then due to reconvene next week, after their Friday meeting was postponed.

- AAP

 

[TheDaBoss]

Peter V’landys has told Channel Nine he wants the NRL season length sorted by Friday and that it’s time for procrastinating in talks with broadcasters to stop.

Just 12 hours after Nine fired another shot at the sport and said claims of a definite May 28 return were “premature”, V’landys went on the network to launch an impassioned defence.

The ARL Commission chairman insisted the game could return, and backed biosecurity measures that will be handed to clubs on Friday. But he said he wanted the season structure sorted immediately, after almost two weeks of talks with Nine and Foxtel.

“We’ve got two different broadcasters. One has a different view to the other,” V’landys told the Today Show on Friday.

“Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season, between the two broadcasters.

“We will meet our contractual obligations to the broadcasters, but a decision has to be made.

“I think the procrastination has been taking long enough, and decisions will be made today.” It’s believed Nine are pushing for a shorter season which would run at closer to 17 rounds, with each team playing each other once plus some rivalry games. Foxtel would likely prefer a longer season, which could run for up to 22 rounds before finals.
V’landys also shot down claims the game was not on track for its return, accusing any of the sport’s detractors as “scaremongering”.

Nine claimed on Thursday night it was premature to be confirming a return date, noting a structure still had to be locked in as well as health and safety standards.

The players’ union are supportive but also want more answers around health and safety before committing to saying May 28 is a definite date. The game’s return has also split public opinion, after the NSW Government said the sport could come back as long as it provided a safe workplace for players. V’landys has claimed the biosecurity rules placed around the game will be the benchmark for all sports during the pandemic.

He is also insistent players will be safer when placed under the new rules than they are now, with no players contracting the virus while the competition has been on hold.

“Look, we have done our negotiation with governments,” V’landys said. “We are applying to governments. We are applying to governments. We’ll continue to do so.

“It’s five weeks away. In the last 14 days, our infection rate has been less than one per cent. We are confident that it’s safe.

“The risk is minimal to zero. So why shouldn’t we start playing? Why are we going to rob our fans and players, because of scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric?” V’landys also said the game planned on presenting the Queensland Government with a plan of their return on Friday, in a bid to have teams travel back and forth across the border.

That would save Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Queensland from all having to base themselves in NSW for the competition’s return.

The Project Apollo committee are then due to reconvene next week, after their Friday meeting was postponed.

- AAP

thats what we need.......nice work Vlandys

 

[happy_tiger]

Peter V’landys has told Channel Nine he wants the NRL season length sorted by Friday and that it’s time for procrastinating in talks with broadcasters to stop.

Just 12 hours after Nine fired another shot at the sport and said claims of a definite May 28 return were “premature”, V’landys went on the network to launch an impassioned defence.

The ARL Commission chairman insisted the game could return, and backed biosecurity measures that will be handed to clubs on Friday. But he said he wanted the season structure sorted immediately, after almost two weeks of talks with Nine and Foxtel.

“We’ve got two different broadcasters. One has a different view to the other,” V’landys told the Today Show on Friday.

“Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season, between the two broadcasters.

“We will meet our contractual obligations to the broadcasters, but a decision has to be made.

“I think the procrastination has been taking long enough, and decisions will be made today.” It’s believed Nine are pushing for a shorter season which would run at closer to 17 rounds, with each team playing each other once plus some rivalry games. Foxtel would likely prefer a longer season, which could run for up to 22 rounds before finals.
V’landys also shot down claims the game was not on track for its return, accusing any of the sport’s detractors as “scaremongering”.

Nine claimed on Thursday night it was premature to be confirming a return date, noting a structure still had to be locked in as well as health and safety standards.

The players’ union are supportive but also want more answers around health and safety before committing to saying May 28 is a definite date. The game’s return has also split public opinion, after the NSW Government said the sport could come back as long as it provided a safe workplace for players. V’landys has claimed the biosecurity rules placed around the game will be the benchmark for all sports during the pandemic.

He is also insistent players will be safer when placed under the new rules than they are now, with no players contracting the virus while the competition has been on hold.

“Look, we have done our negotiation with governments,” V’landys said. “We are applying to governments. We are applying to governments. We’ll continue to do so.

“It’s five weeks away. In the last 14 days, our infection rate has been less than one per cent. We are confident that it’s safe.

“The risk is minimal to zero. So why shouldn’t we start playing? Why are we going to rob our fans and players, because of scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric?” V’landys also said the game planned on presenting the Queensland Government with a plan of their return on Friday, in a bid to have teams travel back and forth across the border.

That would save Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Queensland from all having to base themselves in NSW for the competition’s return.

The Project Apollo committee are then due to reconvene next week, after their Friday meeting was postponed.

- AAP

Could the issues with Vlandy's and 9 be more related to 9 losing the racing ....

2ndly should we be concerned that Vlandy's and Politis come from the same Greek Island ......

 

[innsaneink]

A decision will be made as to the length of the season, between the two broadcasters.

.... Says it all really...

 

[WT2K]

The NRL will put forward a take-it-or-leave-it proposal to its broadcast partners at a clandestine meeting on Friday afternoon that will have huge ramifications on the immediate and long-term future of the sport.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks and Foxtel boss Patrick Delany will be presented with the NRL's 2020 blueprint and have to decide whether they are on board or willing to walk away from the current contract.

The Herald has been told by sources inside the negotiations that the NRL will recommend a season length and structure that starts on May 28, despite free-to-air partners Nine raising concerns with the "premature" resumption date on Thursday night.

Nine wants a 15-round season plus finals (two rounds already played), while Fox Sports is willing to allow play right up until November, with an entire 24-round competition completed as originally planned.

Interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo met with V'landys for over three hours on Friday morning to map out the season structure - which includes State of Origin at the end of the season - that they will take to clubs and players next week, as well as to broadcasters this afternoon.

V'landys also spoke to NRL coaches on a phone hook-up, where they were informed of the NRL's desire to find middle ground between the two broadcasters and a potential season of around 17-19 rounds.

In an emotion-charged interview with Today Show host Karl Stefanovic on Friday morning, the ARLC chairman said he was saving his "best punches to the end", hinting at the ultimatum he would present the broadcasters.

V'landys vowed to sort out the 2020 season by the end of Friday after describing recent commentary around the game's attempt to return as "scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric".

"This is like a boxing match, you take a few blows to the head, a few body blows, but you save your best punches to the end," V'landys said on the program.

"I think you'll find on the 28th of May we will start and we won't be a problem ... We have two different broadcasters - one has a different view to the other. Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season between the two broadcasters.

"We will meet our contractual obligation to the broadcasters but a decision has to be made. The procrastination has been taking long enough. A decision will be made today."

 

[JC99]

19 rounds seems okay. Too long and they’re playing in summer and it affects next year too much

 

[JD Tiger]

The NRL will put forward a take-it-or-leave-it proposal to its broadcast partners at a clandestine meeting on Friday afternoon that will have huge ramifications on the immediate and long-term future of the sport.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks and Foxtel boss Patrick Delany will be presented with the NRL's 2020 blueprint and have to decide whether they are on board or willing to walk away from the current contract.

The Herald has been told by sources inside the negotiations that the NRL will recommend a season length and structure that starts on May 28, despite free-to-air partners Nine raising concerns with the "premature" resumption date on Thursday night.

Nine wants a 15-round season plus finals (two rounds already played), while Fox Sports is willing to allow play right up until November, with an entire 24-round competition completed as originally planned.

Interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo met with V'landys for over three hours on Friday morning to map out the season structure - which includes State of Origin at the end of the season - that they will take to clubs and players next week, as well as to broadcasters this afternoon.

V'landys also spoke to NRL coaches on a phone hook-up, where they were informed of the NRL's desire to find middle ground between the two broadcasters and a potential season of around 17-19 rounds.

In an emotion-charged interview with Today Show host Karl Stefanovic on Friday morning, the ARLC chairman said he was saving his "best punches to the end", hinting at the ultimatum he would present the broadcasters.

V'landys vowed to sort out the 2020 season by the end of Friday after describing recent commentary around the game's attempt to return as "scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric".

"This is like a boxing match, you take a few blows to the head, a few body blows, but you save your best punches to the end," V'landys said on the program.

"I think you'll find on the 28th of May we will start and we won't be a problem ... We have two different broadcasters - one has a different view to the other. Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season between the two broadcasters.

"We will meet our contractual obligation to the broadcasters but a decision has to be made. The procrastination has been taking long enough. A decision will be made today."

Now that sounds promising. NRL taking the first step to not being someone's lap-dog.

 

[gallagher]

The NRL will put forward a take-it-or-leave-it proposal to its broadcast partners at a clandestine meeting on Friday afternoon that will have huge ramifications on the immediate and long-term future of the sport.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks and Foxtel boss Patrick Delany will be presented with the NRL's 2020 blueprint and have to decide whether they are on board or willing to walk away from the current contract.

The Herald has been told by sources inside the negotiations that the NRL will recommend a season length and structure that starts on May 28, despite free-to-air partners Nine raising concerns with the "premature" resumption date on Thursday night.

Nine wants a 15-round season plus finals (two rounds already played), while Fox Sports is willing to allow play right up until November, with an entire 24-round competition completed as originally planned.

Interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo met with V'landys for over three hours on Friday morning to map out the season structure - which includes State of Origin at the end of the season - that they will take to clubs and players next week, as well as to broadcasters this afternoon.

V'landys also spoke to NRL coaches on a phone hook-up, where they were informed of the NRL's desire to find middle ground between the two broadcasters and a potential season of around 17-19 rounds.

In an emotion-charged interview with Today Show host Karl Stefanovic on Friday morning, the ARLC chairman said he was saving his "best punches to the end", hinting at the ultimatum he would present the broadcasters.

V'landys vowed to sort out the 2020 season by the end of Friday after describing recent commentary around the game's attempt to return as "scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric".

"This is like a boxing match, you take a few blows to the head, a few body blows, but you save your best punches to the end," V'landys said on the program.

"I think you'll find on the 28th of May we will start and we won't be a problem ... We have two different broadcasters - one has a different view to the other. Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season between the two broadcasters.

"We will meet our contractual obligation to the broadcasters but a decision has to be made. The procrastination has been taking long enough. A decision will be made today."

Now that sounds promising. NRL taking the first step to not being someone's lap-dog.

I'm praying V'Landys isn't just all bark and no bite.

 

[WT2K]

Potential grand final dates: 17-round season - October 4; 18-round season - October 11; 20-round season October 25; 22-round season November 8. Latter two would mean moving from SCG if T20 World Cup goes ahead.
https://twitter.com/brentread_7/status/1253556495574155265?s=19

 

[cochise]

Potential grand final dates: 17-round season - October 4; 18-round season - October 11; 20-round season October 25; 22-round season November 8. Latter two would mean moving from SCG if T20 World Cup goes ahead.
https://twitter.com/brentread_7/status/1253556495574155265?s=19

Probably no point in playing at the SCG as I doubt we will have crowds at all this year!

 

[Don Kershane]

Everyone stood down for May at the NRL except big bosses-other staff on Jobkeeper until further notice.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

The NRL will put forward a take-it-or-leave-it proposal to its broadcast partners at a clandestine meeting on Friday afternoon that will have huge ramifications on the immediate and long-term future of the sport.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks and Foxtel boss Patrick Delany will be presented with the NRL's 2020 blueprint and have to decide whether they are on board or willing to walk away from the current contract.

The Herald has been told by sources inside the negotiations that the NRL will recommend a season length and structure that starts on May 28, despite free-to-air partners Nine raising concerns with the "premature" resumption date on Thursday night.

Nine wants a 15-round season plus finals (two rounds already played), while Fox Sports is willing to allow play right up until November, with an entire 24-round competition completed as originally planned.

Interim NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo met with V'landys for over three hours on Friday morning to map out the season structure - which includes State of Origin at the end of the season - that they will take to clubs and players next week, as well as to broadcasters this afternoon.

V'landys also spoke to NRL coaches on a phone hook-up, where they were informed of the NRL's desire to find middle ground between the two broadcasters and a potential season of around 17-19 rounds.

In an emotion-charged interview with Today Show host Karl Stefanovic on Friday morning, the ARLC chairman said he was saving his "best punches to the end", hinting at the ultimatum he would present the broadcasters.

V'landys vowed to sort out the 2020 season by the end of Friday after describing recent commentary around the game's attempt to return as "scaremongering and alarmist rhetoric".

"This is like a boxing match, you take a few blows to the head, a few body blows, but you save your best punches to the end," V'landys said on the program.

"I think you'll find on the 28th of May we will start and we won't be a problem ... We have two different broadcasters - one has a different view to the other. Today is D-Day for me. A decision will be made as to the length of the season between the two broadcasters.

"We will meet our contractual obligation to the broadcasters but a decision has to be made. The procrastination has been taking long enough. A decision will be made today."

Now that sounds promising. NRL taking the first step to not being someone's lap-dog.

I'm praying V'Landys isn't just all bark and no bite.

Well if I was at a poker table with this guy and he went "all in!"..... from things I can see to date .... I just might call him.

 

[TheDaBoss]

Potential grand final dates: 17-round season - October 4; 18-round season - October 11; 20-round season October 25; 22-round season November 8. Latter two would mean moving from SCG if T20 World Cup goes ahead.
https://twitter.com/brentread_7/status/1253556495574155265?s=19

Hopefully the t20 wc goes ahead

That's gonna be a banger