TV Rights
I have read all the literature on the TV Broadcasting deal and have made an effort to view as many arguments as possible on social and mainstream media.
Let’s not be naive about how it works. TV pays out big money and therefore they negotiated the right to decide when to show games and on what channel. ARLC could take less money and dictate times to show games. The ARLC were obliged to follow Jerry Maguire and “Show me the Money”. NRL Clubs need financial stability. Players need a fair salary for their efforts. ARLC needed a ‘War Chest’ to make flexible decisions. This is now done.
I am also not naïve that fans (and players) need to be shown respect for their investment and commitment to rugby league. I want ‘Live’ rugby league. I struggle to watch delayed games too. Subscription to Fox is beyond some families. Players struggle to back-up after Wednesday night State of Origin fixtures. I do not have a solution to these issues at the present time. This is state of play for the next five years. At least we can all plan for our footy for the first 20 rounds next year.
On balance, I think the ARLC have made the correct decision for this deal. They needed the money. ARLC negotiated away Wednesday Origin, ‘Live’ free to air footy and a Sunday night Grand Final to obtain the cash.
Next TV Rights broadcasting deal will not have any “First & Last Rights” associated with it and the motivation of the deal may alter the items that the ARLC will have to give away.
Pros:
- CASH = 925 Million Dollars (+ 100 Million Dollars in Contra/Advertising)
- NO First & Last Rights anymore (was 2027 prior to this deal)
- Fixed schedule for first 20 rounds (Rounds 21-26 scheduled by Round 16)
- Internet/Online/Radio/NZ Rights monies still to be determined
- 13 Sunday night fixtures on Fox
- 3 Thursday night fixtures on Channel 9
Cons:
- Only 1 live ‘free to air’ fixture per week on Channel 9
- Subscription to Fox required for footy fix
- Wednesday State of Origin (from a player perspective)
- No High Definition coverage on Channel 9 until 2014.
- Sunday night Grand Final
NSW State of Origin Head Coach
Congratulations to Laurie Daley on being appointed NSW State of Origin Coach for 2013/14. Laurie has worked in many representative programs over the years and will bring a different leadership style and philosophy to the NSW team. This does not mean he will change the current program but 2013 will be Laurie Daley’s side, coaches cannot help but infuse their personality on their team.
Obstruction Rule (& Interpretation)
I am not convinced that all referees understand the adjustments and ‘ripple’ effect of an attacking player who runs behind a ‘flat’ runner from their own team. ‘Impeding’ is subjective but there is way too much leniency given to the attacking team in the current interpretation of obstruction by referees and video referees. Last Friday night, Blake Ayshford had to follow the running line of Josh Morris in case he was passed the ball. When Frank Pritchard ran behind Josh Morris, Blake Ayshford was unable to affect a ‘two-man’ tackle on Frank Pritchard where he would have wrapped up the ball. This is impeding and it’s obstruction.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and don't necessarily reflect those of the NRL.
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