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Nine criticises “premature” NRL plans

Nine again pours cold water on ambitious plans to restart 2020 NRL season.

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Nine has again criticised plans by the NRL to restart its 2020 season on May 28.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Nine is still open to the season re-starting in May — but not while negotiations remain ongoing surrounding a three-year broadcast deal extension.

A Nine spokesperson said in a statement: “Although we agree constructive discussions have been held between the NRL, Nine and Foxtel, we feel it’s premature to be confirming a start date at this stage.

“There is a great will to work together to an outcome but a lot of work still to do.

“A deal needs to be completed and the structure of the competition locked in, which importantly must include how it will operate within the health and safety standards currently affecting the community.”

Nine is believed to prefer games to recommencing when there are crowds in attendance, while a delay would also deliver them a multi-million dollar cost saving.

But some reports also suggest Nine is pushing for a 17-week competition, while FOX Sports wants a 20-week draw.

A meeting that was due to take place between parties has now been pushed back to the middle of next week. The existing deal expires at the end of the 2022 season.

Nine recently lashed out at NRL “mismanagement” ahead of CEO Todd Greenberg resigning, this week.

Source: Wide World of Sports, FOX Sports, news.com.au

13 Responses

  1. If it wasn’t for Nine Money. I would think the NRL would be in trouble.
    This is why the NRL is pushing for a early start as possible.
    The AFL is waiting for Govenment & Medical to advise when to start not like the NRL
    who look like are in financial trouble.

  2. The way channel 9 has negotiated this has been absolutely appalling. The sooner the NRL change broadcasters, the better. Sadly they won’t, and fans will have to put up with nines appalling coverage for years to come.

  4. I imagine most viewers in the southern states are happy with no rugby league and a return to general programming on GEM. Ditto with the northern states having 7Mate back from the AFL without the endless repetitive ads on 7.

  5. The main hurdle for 9 is the uncertainty of Cricket World Cup later in the year as the broadcast host.
    9 would prefer to maintain NRL GF Oct long weekend followed by 3 Origin games (possible Crowds)then hopefully W’Cup Cricket.
    7 &

    1. I looked on a website & there are questions asking whether the t20 WC in Aus will go ahead. Nine has the rights to the 2020 WC. If the T20 WC in Aus be delayed to 2022 (which doesn’t have an ICC-tournament), what will happen to Nine’s cricket coverage?

  6. Nine’s motivation is purely financial. They have won the year pretty much already, especially looking at what is to come, and this will just cost them money for zero net gain. It’s actually disgraceful that they would try and sabotage a sport so publicly.

  7. Beggars belief that the NRL would want to extend their deal with Nine, considering how they are being treated by Nine on this. The time has come for there to be a new FTA partner that will support the code and not bring it down

  8. Honestly, its none of Nine’s business when the season restarts and how that looks as this is the NRL’s product, not Channel 9’s. I personally don’t think it should be May 28 either but as a broadcaster, they have to put up or shut up. Honestly if i were the NRL i’d rip up the contract and look elsewhere.

    1. When you pump as much money into the NRL as channel 9 does, I’d say it’s entirely their business to have a say in how any revised competition would look. It beggars belief that with the amount of money they make from broadcast details that the NRL has become financially crippled within weeks of suspending the competition.

    2. All broadcasters work within ‘windows’ for the sports they have. Alot of this is availability of outside broadcast (OB) vans, cameras, logistics, etc. etc. If you don’t have the equipment to use you cannot broadcast a match.

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