IT was the $1 billion victory for NRL clubs which saved embattled ARLC chairman John Grant.
Grant miraculously clung to power — for now — during a complex five-hour meeting inside League Central on Tuesday where clubs secured increased funding.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal clubs won their fight for funding worth around 130 per cent of the salary cap — in principle — and secured constitutional reform where two clubs representatives are expected to claim places on the commission.
Grant is also certain to be moved aside at the game’s AGM in February 2018.
The NRL scored a major victory on Tuesday by clawing back about $60 million from their original offer to clubs.
Clubs will now secure about $13 million a year in funding, dependent on the new salary cap figure, which hasn’t yet been finalised.
Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib and Roosters Chairman Nick Politis arrive at Rugby League Central. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News LimitedIt would appear the salary cap will average out at about $10 million from 2018, when the new five-year broadcasting deal starts.
That means clubs will pocket around $65 million each, $1 billion across the 16 clubs. The rich deal ended any need for an Emergency General Meeting on Tuesday to sack Grant.
A governance reform — to be discussed by clubs and the NRL — will occur in either January or February. Clubs will either name two of their own for positions on the commission or nominate two representatives.
The NRL had offered clubs additional money in the original deal, which was officially signed-off on last December. Grant cried poor again with clubs relenting, not seeking to appear greedy. It means clubs missed out on another $750,000 a year — a saving for the NRL of around $60 million.
Grant was a dead man walking last week but somehow found the money to save his job, but he will have to lead the game knowing the clubs essentially do not trust or like him.
Tuesday’s meeting was adjourned twice as lawyers documented every decision.
“There were lawyers going backwards and forwards most of the day,” said one club chairman.
“The commission told us they can no longer afford what they agreed to last year.
“As clubs, we are taking that on face value and we don’t want to be greedy. We want to make sure there is enough money for everyone but if the game finds additional money, we want it back.”
John Grant has survived as Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp AustraliaStrangely, Grant and clubs spokesman Bart Campbell refused to talk with media representatives on Tuesday night. That was left to NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.
“The clubs and the commission, each party gave up a little bit in order to get a deal,” Greenberg said. “It’s a good outcome, particularly before Christmas.
“Clubs will be funded better than they have ever been and the grassroots will receive more funding than in any time in the game’s history. It took some time to get there, but we got there.
“Clubs will definitely have a margin above the salary cap in the future. John (Grant) has come in for some personal criticism but that’s how the game works. We could have handled ourselves better in some parts but these are emotional issues for the game.”
Greenberg denied Grant had been told to walk away in early 2018.
“There was no time on tenure at all. John will serve as long as the members want him to serve,” Greenberg said.
The NRL issued a statement on Tuesday night claiming the commission and clubs had signed a “binding agreement.”
But as one chairman said: “I thought we did that last December.”
In the statement, Grant said: “Under this agreement, the clubs will have the long-term financial security they have been seeking.”
Grant said money had been allocated to assist “financially distressed clubs” and a “65 per cent increase in funding for grassroots rugby league.”
In a strange move, the New Zealand Rugby League issued a statement supporting Grant, all while the meeting was taking place.
“John’s highly collaborative approach over the past five years has brought great benefit to rugby league in Australia and New Zealand,” it read.
Replies
So basically Greenturd has admitted to trying to rip off the clubs and the game in general.
Getting rid of both these leeches (Grant/Greenturd) can't happen soon enough.
Shame Max is tied up with the Eels for so long - he would be the perfect choice to get the game back on top.
Dib and Politis look like gangsters.
why are ceo's wearing suits with no tie?
Because it was bloody hot in Sydney yesterday.
So in other words Grant bent over to save his job.
lol, what a man of conviction.
This is a great example of how pissweak the NRL's leadership is.
If he seriously thought he was doing the right thing for the good of the game he would have stood his ground on principle. It's obviously all about the job for him (and Todd)
Useless.
Spot on Kram, instead if doing what was best for the game he did what was best for him. Caving in and bending over for another 12 months in the job. The bloke is an absolute plank.
Both Grant and Greenberg need to go. Neither has anything to offer the game. Selling their souls to keep their positions. Greenberg would be on very good money and Grant would be getting plenty of fringe benefits.
There is almost nothing in the so called “Fighting Fund”which should have been up to about $50 Mill by now. Both amateurs and have lost their way.
If it was so important for them to flip on the original deal with the NRL clubs due to lack of money, why backflip a second time just to save their positions.
Very weak leadership.
John Eel: Agree. But Greenberg is the one who should go first. Rugby League will fail in Australia with him as CEO or any other position. I said before he was appointed that it would be the beginning of the end of Rugby League in Australia if he was made CEO. It`s well on its way and he has been there only 5 minutes, so to speak, and there has been drama all the way, culminating in his 180 degree back- flip yesterday after bad mouthing Grant behind his back these last few weeks, if the yellow press can be believed. Not sure that the club Chairmen and/or CEOs see the view as it really is and what needs to be done. The price of success is eternal vigilance.
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