If the competition is stopped for a extended period the game and it's clubs will die , the government will not had over money to a sporting code that should have a couple of hundred million stashed away .
If the game is suspended for a extended time then fans will want a refund on their season tickets and sponsors who payed up front will want their money back and those who pay in installments will stop paying . The game needs Fox/9 to keep paying every month but they will stop if their are no games .
A possible way the game can save itself is to come to a agreement with Fox/9 , a agreement could be
1. The NRL agree to sell the next TV deal to both Fox and 9 minus the money they would of payed to keep the gamme alive this year and at say 30 % less than what the value of the rights will be at the time .
2 . The NRL sells the next TV deal now to whoever is willing to pay for it at a heavily reduced rate as long as the NRL get a advance payment now .
Yes the NRL will lose a lot of money but it is better than having no game st all , with V'landys and a new CEO the NRL could make up most of the difference with new sponsorship anyway .
The NRL are in a desperate situation so they need to make a offer to good to refuse in order to get he money they need now.
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We're already seeing this with the AFL about to announce an extension of 2 years for their Fox deal.
NRL will need to do whatever it takes in order to save the game.
That's a good idea however the television stations and also Foxtel won't be able to splash much cash up front. Advertising dollars will dry up especially if people are restricted from shopping as is likely over next few months restricting cash flow for television stations.
Foxtel subscriptions will also be one of first things to go for people who lose their jobs due to business closures so although a good idea maybe not as viable as one would first think.
No one really knows how things will be affected in the short or long term so whatever the solution is it will require some imagination
The NRL are currently looking at finding some money by selling the international rights to ESPN who are desperate for any kind of live sport content right now. It won't cover all of the games expected losses but at least some of them.
A fire sale of the games future is a nuclear option and one that should be the absolute last option.
Good idea, Frankie.
Assuming latest rounded 2019 financial figures are close to reality (off to a bad start already):
So, with your idea it’s possible the ARLC/NRL might cover its expenses – but there’s some unknown caveats, which probably means there still will be a shortfall.
One, can they access enough of the net assets or rainy day funds, that they claim they have. Two, is the sponsorship enough (a fair chunk of the $84m Sponsorship/Wagering revenue).
Otherwise, even with this idea, there could still be a shortfall between say around $25m or so to over $200m that will need to be dealt with - via salary cuts/cost cutting and/or borrowings.
Yet, take away your idea, unless other funds are sourced, and it's back to three months until the ship sinks.
PS: Obviously, all these numbers won't be completely accurate, just based off latest statements.
Actually if they keep playing and media rights / contracts allow then they could make squillions selling the games world wide. Super smart Leaders would have all the players willing to go into lock down and quarantined away in a remote area to ensure they are able to play all games, through the season in remote locations. If they are able to onsell the game to new markets ie ESPN etc and actually increase media revenue the players get paid more. Those that don't wish to go into lock down / isolation etc don't have to, but they don't get paid for not working. Surely the brightest could find somewhere to house them all safely. What's Norfolk Island like. Lol if we were the only live sport still playing world wide can you imagine the exposure the game could command.
Now taking it a step further if we lose a team or two etc with a covin19 positive then the players that aren't effected could actually play a state of origin series etc or suspend the NRL competition and play another new competition with the players available, similar to say cricket we have the state teams playing Sheffield shield and then the 1 day component that stops and the same players join new teams for the big bash games.
I know it's out there but it's actually doable and could save the game financially while still providing sporting content to the world.
Great idea
Some creative ideas, however, sustaining any of them for even 15 weeks in this environment seems appallingly unlikely.
The NRL as an entity will go titsup. Some clubs too...
But
There will be a first grade league comp after we are through with this. The Parramatta Eels will take part in it. For now, that'll do me.