Television ratings will nosedive if Parramatta is penalised out of finals contention, according to the man who consulted to the NRL on its television deals.
For the first time in two seasons, the number of people watching rugby league on the box is on the increase, a result of both Fox Sports and the Nine Network providing separate commentary on many matches.
However, the spectre of Parramatta being docked premiership points for alleged salary cap breaches is a concern for the host broadcasters.
The Eels, particularly when they are doing well, are a ratings winner and Brad Arthur's team have shown enough in the opening third of the season to suggest they are a genuine chance of breaking a 30-year premiership drought.
However, there are fears it could all be for nothing as the governing body prepares to hand down its findings into the embattled club next week.
Global Media and Sports boss Colin Smith, who has previously advised the NRL, ARU and AFL during rights negotiations, believes some footy fans will turn off their TVs if the Eels are no chance of making the finals.
"If they are docked [points] to the point they can't compete in the premiership, that will certainly take away the interest," Smith said.
"If a team is less competitive, and we saw that to an extent with Essendon in the AFL, the degree of watchability becomes less.
"People don't recognise how important Parramatta is – and Penrith isn't that far behind either – in terms of how the Sydney sports fan works.
"Loyalty will remain in western Sydney because of the tribalism of the region. Their fans will continue to watch. The issue will be the effect on broader Sydney and the broader rugby league market.
"Let's cut to the chase on this, you don't want this to be there. It will affect the person who only has a passing interest, no question."
Parramatta games, particularly blockbuster matches like Friday night's clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, often attract more than one million viewers.
Smith believes those numbers will be on the wane if the Eels – the only side not to have played finals footy since 2009 – are no chance of progressing beyond the regular season.
However, Chris Walton, managing director of Nunn Media, believes the overall NRL ratings impact won't be greatly affected.
"With that many teams and that many games, from a helicopter point of view, I don't think the issues at one club will impact too much on things.
"The impact on fans will be dictated by whose fault they think it is. If they think it's a struggling club doing its best against a difficult league [little will change]. If they think 'just when we thought they got things right, management have gone and cocked it up', that could be different.
"If there is an impact it could be on Parramatta fans going to live games rather than Parramatta fans [switching off] the tele."
The final six rounds of the premiership are yet to be set in stone, with the broadcasters able to horse-trade games depending on their level of viewability. Walton believes Eels fixtures could be shifted to inferior spots if they are prematurely ruled out of the running.
"Later in a season they may get their games moved to other times, so they may not be the Thursday night game or the key game on a Saturday," he said.
"Those tactics may be employed."
Replies
Well I'll go on record by saying I'll be cancelling my sports pack on Fox. I don't have it in me to support a corpse, I'm not a necrophiliac.
It's one thing to support the Eels when they were struggling, my expectations were low and like all fans, I was looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Now we have a team capable of mixing it with best, I can't imagine anything more frustration than supporting a winning team playing for nothing. Mentally I couldn't cope with it.
I have anger issues at the best of times, I can't imagine being angry whether we win or lose for the rest of the season.
I'll need to switch off for my own sanity.
LOL NRL!! Jersey and Ticket sales will plummet too.
DT's still trying to keep the case afloat (see separate thread I just posted).
I stand by what my thoughts are in reply to the excellent thread by Phil, we were hit last year with 4 point deduction, suspended provided no further breach is found. It is likely those points could be brought back & applied, with another 4 points for the offences alleged to happen. Of course if there is still a case proven against the club.
If there is a minimal case & some things are proven, then they could hit the club with a reasonable fine & just reinstate the suspended points. The other thread that HOE put up yesterday makes for interesting reading but who knows what the internal workings of the cranial cavity of those at the NRL cavity are thinking.
Sure parra sells papers and puts bums on seats but this is just the cream on their news limited cake!
Definitely will vote by turning the TV if Eels are dealt with unfairly
Tigers were allowed to attack Parra players head with no penalty despite two concussions
Penrith seemed to get away with offside
Cowboys got away with stripping and shoulder charge to the head
But we get over penalised whenever the opposition drops the ball
I don't want us to be gifted like other teams
But if we are not treated fairly they can shove it
It will not stop me watching them on fox; I don't watch ch 9 anyway. They're rubbish. I also have bought one tele in a bout 2 months, and won't waste my cash.
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