Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) has moved a step closer to finalising a new television rights deal worth a reported AUD$2 billion (US$1.3 billion).
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the governing body for rugby league in Australia, has rubber-stamped the terms of the agreement, which will now be sent to free-to-air broadcaster Nine and pay-TV network Fox Sports for approval.
According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the deal will see Fox Sports extend its NRL coverage until at least the end of 2027. Nine would maintain its commitment to the league until the end of 2022, but could yet extend further.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys told the AAP: “The ARLC have approved the negotiated position that myself and [interim CEO] Andrew [Abdo] have come to with the broadcasters. The broadcasters have to go back to their boards for approval. The negotiations have always gone on knowing both parties have to go back to their boards for approval.”
V’landys warned in March that the NRL would face “catastrophic” consequences in the event that the 2020 NRL season is not completed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that the league’s current TV contract includes a force majeure clause that would excuse its broadcaster partners from fulfilling their rights payments.
However, if confirmed, the revised broadcast deal would pave the way for the NRL to return to action as planned on 28th May after two months on hold.
It would also alleviate fears that Nine was about to end its association with the league after Hugh Marks, the company’s chief executive, said during this month’s Macquarie Australia Conference that it was “not a given” that the NRL “has to be part of our future”.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported in April that Nine was looking to renegotiate its deal for the interrupted 2020 season, seeking to reduce its payment from AUD$118 million (US$76.9 million) to around AUD$90 million (US$58.7 million). Fox, meanwhile, was reportedly looking to save AUD$30 million (US$19.5 million) on the AUD$190 million (US$124 million) it was originally due to pay.
Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) has moved a step closer to finalising a new television rights deal worth a reported AUD$2 billion (US$1.3 billion).
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the governing body for rugby league in Australia, has rubber-stamped the terms of the agreement, which will now be sent to free-to-air broadcaster Nine and pay-TV network Fox Sports for approval.
According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the deal will see Fox Sports extend its NRL coverage until at least the end of 2027. Nine would maintain its commitment to the league until the end of 2022, but could yet extend further.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys told the AAP: “The ARLC have approved the negotiated position that myself and [interim CEO] Andrew [Abdo] have come to with the broadcasters. The broadcasters have to go back to their boards for approval. The negotiations have always gone on knowing both parties have to go back to their boards for approval.”
V’landys warned in March that the NRL would face “catastrophic” consequences in the event that the 2020 NRL season is not completed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that the league’s current TV contract includes a force majeure clause that would excuse its broadcaster partners from fulfilling their rights payments.
However, if confirmed, the revised broadcast deal would pave the way for the NRL to return to action as planned on 28th May after two months on hold.
It would also alleviate fears that Nine was about to end its association with the league after Hugh Marks, the company’s chief executive, said during this month’s Macquarie Australia Conference that it was “not a given” that the NRL “has to be part of our future”.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported in April that Nine was looking to renegotiate its deal for the interrupted 2020 season, seeking to reduce its payment from AUD$118 million (US$76.9 million) to around AUD$90 million (US$58.7 million). Fox, meanwhile, was reportedly looking to save AUD$30 million (US$19.5 million) on the AUD$190 million (US$124 million) it was originally due to pay.
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