ARL supports NRL demand for an increased buget - Rugby News
While talking to reporters on Tuesday, October 25, Australian Rugby League (ARL) seconded chairman, John Chalk’s supported the National Rugby League (NRL) franchises’ demand which asked for increased funding.
Sixteen NRL clubs are seeking to get approval for their next TV rights deal, for which the clubs are demanding a lump sum of $1.6 million as advance payment. However, the negotiations are underway. The demand is not just restricted to the advance payment
but the franchises are also expecting to get paid an extra $8 million ($500,000 per club) next year.
This proposition from NRL has already been rejected once last week by the joint committee of News Limited and the NRL, which handles the financial issues of the game.
Despite the rejection from the concerned authorities, Chalk asserted before the kick-off of the board meeting of ARL in Sydney on Monday, October 24, that NRL’s request was an “affordable and sustainable increase” for the next season.
While discussing NRL’s reasonable demand, Chalk went on and added further, "Contrary to reports, the ARL has not taken a position to oppose NRL club requests for additional funding for the 2012 season.”
On Tuesday, ARL released a statement which backed Chalk’s viewpoint. It said, "The Board of the Australian Rugby League met today and resolved to support the 16 NRL clubs in their funding application."
However, in lieu of the ARL’s statement NRL partnership committee’s chairman, Colin Love, stood down from his position of authority. This was closely followed by a series of meetings which were conducted in a bid to resolve the deadlock.
More meetings were convened, starting from one in New South Wales Rugby League meeting, which led to a gathering of ARL officials and then ended with an NRL partnership meeting.
NRL clubs have become adamant with their decision and they are now no longer willing to reach any mid level agreement, as is evident from their demand which explicitly rules out any room for their renewed licenses.
NRL clubs have made it clear that either the clubs’ demands are fully embarced or else else they have vowed not to sign the future licensing agreements, which are getting closer to their expiry date of October 31.
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