Tweet
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...011-1ljc7.html
Brad Walter, Michael Chammas
October 12, 2011
NRL clubs are considering breaking away from the NRL to start their own competition, in a move described as a ''reverse Super League''. The stunning development comes amid fears that the Independent Commission's November 1 starting date is set to again be delayed as negotiations for News Ltd and the ARL to exit the game drag on.
The clubs are refusing to sign their new membership agreements to play in the 2012 competition unless demands for increased funding are accepted.
A meeting of representatives of the 16 NRL clubs yesterday notified News Ltd and the ARL that they wanted the annual grant paid to each club increased from $3.65 million to $6 million next season.
The clubs also want News Ltd to agree to a non-compete clause to ensure the media organisation never starts another Super League-type breakaway again.
If the demands are not met, the clubs are considering breaking away themselves - except the difference this time is that all 16 clubs are united and there would not be split competition as there was in 1997.
The clubs also want to keep their intellectual property rights - colours, logos etc - and fixed scheduling for matches.
Club bosses did not return calls or were unwilling to comment when contacted this morning but their discontentment has been simmering for months.
A meeting of all club chief executives and chairmen was held at Sydney Airport three weeks and a sub-committee was appointed to represent the clubs.
The South Sydney chairman, Nicholas Pappas, who has been a key figure in negotiations for the independent commission, yesterday notified News Ltd and the ARL in writing of the clubs demands.
Brad Walter, Michael Chammas
October 12, 2011
NRL clubs are considering breaking away from the NRL to start their own competition, in a move described as a ''reverse Super League''. The stunning development comes amid fears that the Independent Commission's November 1 starting date is set to again be delayed as negotiations for News Ltd and the ARL to exit the game drag on.
The clubs are refusing to sign their new membership agreements to play in the 2012 competition unless demands for increased funding are accepted.
A meeting of representatives of the 16 NRL clubs yesterday notified News Ltd and the ARL that they wanted the annual grant paid to each club increased from $3.65 million to $6 million next season.
The clubs also want News Ltd to agree to a non-compete clause to ensure the media organisation never starts another Super League-type breakaway again.
If the demands are not met, the clubs are considering breaking away themselves - except the difference this time is that all 16 clubs are united and there would not be split competition as there was in 1997.
The clubs also want to keep their intellectual property rights - colours, logos etc - and fixed scheduling for matches.
Club bosses did not return calls or were unwilling to comment when contacted this morning but their discontentment has been simmering for months.
A meeting of all club chief executives and chairmen was held at Sydney Airport three weeks and a sub-committee was appointed to represent the clubs.
The South Sydney chairman, Nicholas Pappas, who has been a key figure in negotiations for the independent commission, yesterday notified News Ltd and the ARL in writing of the clubs demands.
Comment