HAte to say I told you so!

Potential new franchises will soon get an answer on NRL expansion - but it's unlikely to be the one they're hoping to hear. Sin Bin has been told the ARLC is likely to make a definitive call on whether to expand in late August, around the time the television rights deal has been thrashed out. Should they decide to increase the number of teams, prospective franchises will be given four or five months to put in bids with a view to NRL entry in 2015. However, it's becoming increasingly likely the status quo will remain and they will have to wait longer still. While the broadcasters are always looking for more quality content, it's believed - at least in initial discussions - their appetite for more games isn't matched by a dollar commitment that would make new clubs feasible. The commission is also mindful that most existing clubs are running at a loss and extra teams would only further dilute the playing talent.

Read more: www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z20eyQgCBC

HAte to say I told you so!

Potential new franchises will soon get an answer on NRL expansion - but it's unlikely to be the one they're hoping to hear. Sin Bin has been told the ARLC is likely to make a definitive call on whether to expand in late August, around the time the television rights deal has been thrashed out. Should they decide to increase the number of teams, prospective franchises will be given four or five months to put in bids with a view to NRL entry in 2015. However, it's becoming increasingly likely the status quo will remain and they will have to wait longer still. While the broadcasters are always looking for more quality content, it's believed - at least in initial discussions - their appetite for more games isn't matched by a dollar commitment that would make new clubs feasible. The commission is also mindful that most existing clubs are running at a loss and extra teams would only further dilute the playing talent.

Read more: www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z20eyQgCBC

The QT has been told expansion is still an option, but no final decision has been made.

"There has been no change to the position on expansion," an NRL spokesman told the QT.

"It is a strategic consideration for the game and one that will be considered as part of the commission's strategic planning process. We've talked about the fact that plan will be released later in the year and that remains the case."

Western Corridor NRL bid boss Steve Johnson said his team would continue with its plans.

He said the current broadcast rights holders held the key to expansion, and if Channel Nine and Fox Sports had bid for an extra game in the upcoming TV rights deal, then there would be extra teams.

Channel Nine and Fox Sports have made their secret bids for broadcast rights and when they are opened in early August it will become apparent whether they have put in extra funds for an expanded competition.

Heavyweights at Channel Nine have made it clear they were prepared to pay an extra $100 million over five years for an expanded game with an extra team playing out of Suncorp Stadium.



www.qt.com.au/story/2012/07/21/t ... rl-battle/

The QT has been told expansion is still an option, but no final decision has been made.

"There has been no change to the position on expansion," an NRL spokesman told the QT.

"It is a strategic consideration for the game and one that will be considered as part of the commission's strategic planning process. We've talked about the fact that plan will be released later in the year and that remains the case."

Western Corridor NRL bid boss Steve Johnson said his team would continue with its plans.

He said the current broadcast rights holders held the key to expansion, and if Channel Nine and Fox Sports had bid for an extra game in the upcoming TV rights deal, then there would be extra teams.

Channel Nine and Fox Sports have made their secret bids for broadcast rights and when they are opened in early August it will become apparent whether they have put in extra funds for an expanded competition.

Heavyweights at Channel Nine have made it clear they were prepared to pay an extra $100 million over five years for an expanded game with an extra team playing out of Suncorp Stadium.



www.qt.com.au/story/2012/07/21/t ... rl-battle/

Pirates confident west will be won

MANY sports fans in Perth haven't even heard of Darren Lockyer but one of the architects of a western bid for an NRL team insists they will catch on quickly.

And you get the feeling the West Coast Pirates' bid boss John Sackson thinks it is nothing short of a sporting disgrace there is not a national league presence in the western frontier.

"It is really hard to swallow to be honest. People in Perth are just like those in Melbourne; they absolutely love their sport,'' Sackson says.

"The people of Western Australia just need a rugby league team to believe in.''



www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/p ... 6431280780

Pirates confident west will be won

MANY sports fans in Perth haven't even heard of Darren Lockyer but one of the architects of a western bid for an NRL team insists they will catch on quickly.

And you get the feeling the West Coast Pirates' bid boss John Sackson thinks it is nothing short of a sporting disgrace there is not a national league presence in the western frontier.

"It is really hard to swallow to be honest. People in Perth are just like those in Melbourne; they absolutely love their sport,'' Sackson says.

"The people of Western Australia just need a rugby league team to believe in.''



www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/p ... 6431280780

Here’s what comes to mind when I think of expansion. Strength, junior base, revenue and potential for growth. In my eyes, to truly move rugby league forward and grow the comp into a national brand, Perth needs to be given a team. It just makes sense. Rugby league was progressing nicely in Western Australia when the Reds were in town from 1995-97. They were getting plenty of bums on seats and grassroots footy was being cultivated nicely.

But when the Super League war ended in ’97 and the two competitions became one, the Reds were sacrificed along with ARL franchise South Queensland Crushers. I think it shows a fair bit of ticker and determination to come back fifteen years later. Allowing WA to have a team also makes sense for TV, with the time difference meaning games can be shown live. Much better than some idiot sending you a text with the result, don’t you think? Also, the WARL was established in 1948, meaning it’s just a year younger than famous clubs like defending premiers Manly and the Parramatta Eels.


www.nrl.com/in-touch-where-shoul ... fault.aspx

Here’s what comes to mind when I think of expansion. Strength, junior base, revenue and potential for growth. In my eyes, to truly move rugby league forward and grow the comp into a national brand, Perth needs to be given a team. It just makes sense. Rugby league was progressing nicely in Western Australia when the Reds were in town from 1995-97. They were getting plenty of bums on seats and grassroots footy was being cultivated nicely.

But when the Super League war ended in ’97 and the two competitions became one, the Reds were sacrificed along with ARL franchise South Queensland Crushers. I think it shows a fair bit of ticker and determination to come back fifteen years later. Allowing WA to have a team also makes sense for TV, with the time difference meaning games can be shown live. Much better than some idiot sending you a text with the result, don’t you think? Also, the WARL was established in 1948, meaning it’s just a year younger than famous clubs like defending premiers Manly and the Parramatta Eels.


www.nrl.com/in-touch-where-shoul ... fault.aspx

NRL Players Back Perth Expansion

National Rugby League players are overwhelmingly in support of expansion and most favour the addition of a Perth based team according to the annual Rugby League Week magazine’s Players’ Poll.

Along with questions about on field issues, the magazine polled players on their attitudes towards expansion and the performance of the Independent Commission.

Of 100 players polled 88 said they backed expansion. Those who voted yes were allowed to nominate one or two candidates. A Perth franchise received 66 votes, with Brisbane Bombers 33, Central Coast NSW 22 and 11 votes for others including Central Queensland, PNG, and second New Zealand based franchise.

sportbizinsider.com.au/news/cate ... t-is-best/

NRL Players Back Perth Expansion

National Rugby League players are overwhelmingly in support of expansion and most favour the addition of a Perth based team according to the annual Rugby League Week magazine’s Players’ Poll.

Along with questions about on field issues, the magazine polled players on their attitudes towards expansion and the performance of the Independent Commission.

Of 100 players polled 88 said they backed expansion. Those who voted yes were allowed to nominate one or two candidates. A Perth franchise received 66 votes, with Brisbane Bombers 33, Central Coast NSW 22 and 11 votes for others including Central Queensland, PNG, and second New Zealand based franchise.

sportbizinsider.com.au/news/cate ... t-is-best/

NRL acting CEO in Perth to witness first hand the support for RL here. More games ofr Perth and possible trialling of a live Sunday night TV game.

www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z223lVSW3G

NRL acting CEO in Perth to witness first hand the support for RL here. More games ofr Perth and possible trialling of a live Sunday night TV game.

www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z223lVSW3G