Could news Ltd be involved??

[supermario]

If it's NOT a conspiracy involving News, then they are idiots for not sweeping it under the carpet, and enjoying the benefits a successful Melbourne club has brought the game ie. massive TV ratings, growth beyond traditional borders, rivalry with the AFL, a billion dollar TV deal etc.

If it IS a conspiracy, then Melbourne and its staff have been made huge scapegoats to allow the club's owners to exit the game, scortched earth policy in place, abandon Melbourne and protect their own reputations from any scrutiny by a new independent commission... to me, this reeks of "sh*t we are not going to be in control of the game anymore, what happens if the Commission finds out, we'd better drop Melbourne in it now to get it out into the open and get ourselves off the hook!"

The game of Rugby League shoots itself in the foot yet again, and once more, News Ltd has it's fingerprints on the trigger...!

Vasco, you summed up exactly what i was trying to say !

[Cockadoodledoo]

If it's NOT a conspiracy involving News, then they are idiots for not sweeping it under the carpet, and enjoying the benefits a successful Melbourne club has brought the game ie. massive TV ratings, growth beyond traditional borders, rivalry with the AFL, a billion dollar TV deal etc.

If it IS a conspiracy, then Melbourne and its staff have been made huge scapegoats to allow the club's owners to exit the game, scortched earth policy in place, abandon Melbourne and protect their own reputations from any scrutiny by a new independent commission... to me, this reeks of "sh*t we are not going to be in control of the game anymore, what happens if the Commission finds out, we'd better drop Melbourne in it now to get it out into the open and get ourselves off the hook!"

The game of Rugby League shoots itself in the foot yet again, and once more, News Ltd has it's fingerprints on the trigger...!

It makes sense.. tbh I had never any doubt that they were way over the cap and clearly it was to ensure they would be highly successful so they could take a larger slice of the Melbourne sporting market... Unfortunately as successful as they were most of Melbourne couldn't care less and they were throwing good money after bad..

What better way than ridding themselves of this money pit than to leak out how they were rorting the cap and allowing themselves to abondon Melbourne early and saving themselves further financial burden.. sorry coggy but News Ltd senior management could not lie straight in bed.

[Guest]

I don't believe for a second News are innocent. far too quick to portay Waldren as the sole architect of the whole thing.

[redwhiteandbluester]

I don't believe for a second News are innocent. far too quick to portay Waldren as the sole architect of the whole thing.

Agree, its News who are the scourge of our code and have been for 15 years.

The sooner they piss off and the Independent Commission runs this game, the better.

[Vasco]

It makes sense.. tbh I had never any doubt that they were way over the cap and clearly it was to ensure they would be highly successful so they could take a larger slice of the Melbourne sporting market... Unfortunately as successful as they were most of Melbourne couldn't care less and they were throwing good money after bad..

What better way than ridding themselves of this money pit than to leak out how they were rorting the cap and allowing themselves to abondon Melbourne early and saving themselves further financial burden.. sorry coggy but News Ltd senior management could not lie straight in bed.

Even the press conferences look staged. None of them look remorseful at all."Oh, we accept the umpire's decision...".

Give me a break.

[supermario]

This now adds interest to the debate.....

From the SMH

A family tree with many a familiar face
PHILIP WEN
April 27, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...0426-tndn.html

AN EXAMINATION of Melbourne Storm's ownership structure reveals a complex web of inter-connected companies, and directors - both past and present - juggling different roles.

The structure shows the media giant News Limited as a driving force behind the vehicles that constitute the National Rugby League, from sporting teams, to broadcasting, to its ownership stake in the NRL itself.

And the links show different organisations tied closely to achieving commercial outcomes sought by News.

Storm is wholly owned by News, which also owns half of the NRL and half of Premier Media Group - owner of the competition broadcaster Fox Sports.

Another wholly owned News subsidiary, Valimanda, holds the rugby league club licence, and effectively funds the Storm's football operations through the provision of ''management fees''.

Last year, the management fee accounted for $16.8 million of the Storm's total revenue of $18.9 million. Because it is classified as a small proprietary company, Valimanda is not required to lodge annual accounts with ASIC. This means there is little public information on the company.

All three Valimanda directors - Matt Hanson, Frank Stanton and Craig Watt - are also Storm directors. Mr Hanson, who replaced Brian Waldron as acting chief executive in January, has been stood down.

A senior News Ltd and Premier Media executive, Keith Brodie, has acted as News Ltd's company secretary since 1990. He also served on the Melbourne Storm and Valimanda boards between 2002 and 2004. Mr Brodie currently sits on the NRL board, and was a director of the Brisbane Broncos - 69 per cent owned by News - until 2004.

Another News executive, Peter Jourdain, also served on the Storm, Broncos and Valimanda boards until 2008. The Queensland Rugby League director John Ribot was the Storm CEO from 1998 to 2004. Mr Ribot was also a director of Valimanda during his time at the Storm.

[Kramer]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately there will not be a truly independent investigation of the rorts that go on in the game.
News will see to that, they have to much influence and to much control in the game.

If there is to be an independent commission into the cap, Waldron will serve it up big time, perhaps he should go the police. The ATO will be sniffing around in any case.

Melbourne have been rorting, and News knew all about it, and mouthpiece Gallop will not be able to defend it.
They need Melbourne in the comp, they need Melbourne to win , they need bums on seats at the new stadium, and they need the advertising $, so that there is a return on their investment.

The truth should come out, and now is as good a time as any.


I posted this in Fatcontrollers thread, I thought it is appropriate on here.

Vasco you are so right on this one.