NRL NRL Expansion

[Rizzah]

It will be great to get it confirmed and up and running. … then we can set sight on theChristchurch based side to enter in 2030!View attachment 12674

As much as I'd love a second NZ team. Look at the numbers involved.
I can't see any NZ City/Regional Council being able to offer up any capital to support a new NRL franchise. The Govt could, but won't.
I think the only way this would work is if the NZRL can convince the NRL to front some financial support because NZ is a genuine talent source for the NRL. Seems unlikely.

Government and NRL officials have both reportedly come to an agreement regarding the franchise’s finances, with an initial investment of over $300 million falling flat.

The WA government reportedly committed to building a $20 million centre of excellence at the Malaga Sports Precinct, alongside $35 million over five years in grassroots development.

 

[Ever Hopeful]

19 teams in 2028. That is just too many. I really don't think I have seen a weaker player pool in my 30+ years watching the NRL.

It just seems like every sport I love is being ruled as a profit-first business.

Oh well our current squad might be quite decent as others get watered down.

 

[juju]

As much as I'd love a second NZ team. Look at the numbers involved.
I can't see any NZ City/Regional Council being able to offer up any capital to support a new NRL franchise. The Govt could, but won't.
I think the only way this would work is if the NZRL can convince the NRL to front some financial support because NZ is a genuine talent source for the NRL. Seems unlikely.

You are right - NZ just doesn't have that money available.

Really the only logical reasons to do it would be to strengthen the TV rights deal out of NZ... But SKY seems like a business that's about to be obsolete. I could see the rights just being packaged with whoever is the Australian digital broadcaster sometime down.

And have the guaranteed content in the new CHCH stadium - but as you say the council their aren't rich & the government are pushing austerity supposedly.

The NRL access the talent with or without a 2nd team.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Missing from my posting of the article since Fox loves to jam pack their articles with bullshit where you have to scroll a million times to see if the article has ended or not:

Government and NRL officials have both reportedly come to an agreement regarding the franchise’s finances, with an initial investment of over $300 million falling flat.

The WA government reportedly committed to building a $20 million centre of excellence at the Malaga Sports Precinct, alongside $35 million over five years in grassroots development.

However, the NRL’s figure sat at $120 million over 10 years, with a compromise being signed off with a $50 million bid.

The NRL is also hoping for a $200 million redevelopment of HBF Park, hoping to transform the stadium into a rugby league hub similar to that of Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.

Now, the parties have reached an agreement and the Perth Bears are set to get the green light to enter the NRL.

With the Bears set to join the competition in 2027 and a PNG franchise entering in 2028, the NRL is set to become a 19-team league.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

You are right - NZ just doesn't have that money available.

Really the only logical reasons to do it would be to strengthen the TV rights deal out of NZ... But SKY seems like a business that's about to be obsolete. I could see the rights just being packaged with whoever is the Australian digital broadcaster sometime down.

And have the guaranteed content in the new CHCH stadium - but as you say the council their aren't rich & the government are pushing austerity supposedly.

The NRL access the talent with or without a 2nd team.

They can access the talent with or without it, but the same could be said (maybe even more so) for [insert fourth south-east Queensland team], couldn't it?

Maybe I am being neieve but Vlandys wouldn't be able to take advantage of the federal gov or QLD gov for SEQ4 as he has with PNG and the Bears, so outside of getting a foundation team "back" with the Jets (or splitting the Magpies and Tigers if Balmain stay on their bullshit) I don't know what SEQ4 would do for the NRL that ChCh couldn't

 

[Matiunz]

19 teams in 2028. That is just too many. I really don't think I have seen a weaker player pool in my 30+ years watching the NRL.

It just seems like every sport I love is being ruled as a profit-first business.

Oh well our current squad might be quite decent as others get watered down.

It’s just a pissing contest to not be left behind by AFL and if THAT comp can support as many teams then NRL would likely fare better. 20 teams worked ok until the superleague interrupted only the magpies and cowboys were awful but ironically it’s taken us 30 years to get back to what we had then

 

[Rizzah]

19 teams in 2028. That is just too many. I really don't think I have seen a weaker player pool in my 30+ years watching the NRL.

It just seems like every sport I love is being ruled as a profit-first business.

Oh well our current squad might be quite decent as others get watered down.

There's a new TV Rights deal coming up (2027?) - the new agreement with the clubs should include the requirement to develop robust youth development pathways.
Each club should have a well resourced pathway system - to maintain a quality first grade comp. A salary cap payment and a youth development payment perhaps?
Get people successful in the development space to put together a resource for the NRL to guide clubs who are not doing this well.

 

[Playdaball]

Missing from my posting of the article since Fox loves to jam pack their articles with bullshit where you have to scroll a million times to see if the article has ended or not:

Government and NRL officials have both reportedly come to an agreement regarding the franchise’s finances, with an initial investment of over $300 million falling flat.

The WA government reportedly committed to building a $20 million centre of excellence at the Malaga Sports Precinct, alongside $35 million over five years in grassroots development.

However, the NRL’s figure sat at $120 million over 10 years, with a compromise being signed off with a $50 million bid.

The NRL is also hoping for a $200 million redevelopment of HBF Park, hoping to transform the stadium into a rugby league hub similar to that of Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.

Now, the parties have reached an agreement and the Perth Bears are set to get the green light to enter the NRL.

With the Bears set to join the competition in 2027 and a PNG franchise entering in 2028, the NRL is set to become a 19-team league.

Apart from history, a few diehard supporters and a good uniform, what do the Beats bring to Perth??

 

[Playdaball]

*Bears

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Apart from history, a few diehard supporters and a good uniform, what do the Beats bring to Perth??

Away fans in Sydney, an established rivalry, strong junior teams, an escape route to the Central Coast if things go pear shaped

 

[sup42]

19 teams in 2028. That is just too many. I really don't think I have seen a weaker player pool in my 30+ years watching the NRL.

It just seems like every sport I love is being ruled as a profit-first business.

Oh well our current squad might be quite decent as others get watered down.

I am enjoying the weaker comp. Finally every weekend you have no idea who wins.

Even though the NRL brand was tied to having super clubs that put on unbelievable football and overall high standards, this new anyone can win ugly situation has landed right in time for the ugly styled Warriors.

 

[Playdaball]

Away fans in Sydney, an established rivalry, strong junior teams, an escape route to the Central Coast if things go pear shaped

Their junior teams are not strong but there is a sense of tradition about it.
I loved North Sydney back in the day - Mark Graham, Olsen, Clayton, Halligan, Billy Moore etc .

Newtown jets being based in Ch ch next ha ha

 

[snake77]

I do find it funny that before the ARLC was formed all of the talk was on the tough decisions in regards to the competition make up. More aiming towards cutting the number of clubs or relocation.

A streamlined competition would have been closer to the Super League vision. Instead we are getting back to something similar to before the Super League war.

I can see the rational with it as we are 30 years on and the structure is aimed to lift the broadcast revenue. More brands etc. It also looks like each bit is coming with a lot of capital. This is the main worry for an second NZ side as some of the amounts being quoted are crazy.

I know we get blowouts now but we do get years where any team can win on their day. Back in the 90s when they were expanding we had some pretty terrible teams that would get pumped by 30-40 most weeks.

It was a long time from when the Titans joined to when the Dolphins were admitted. It does seem like they have got the expansion bug. It would be good to get to an even number of teams again.

I hope we stick to the development systems. Keep developing players so we aren't as reliant on recruitment as the market gets crowded.

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

Leka already being named as a potential target for the Bears

 

[Wrighty]

19 teams in 2028. That is just too many. I really don't think I have seen a weaker player pool in my 30+ years watching the NRL.

It just seems like every sport I love is being ruled as a profit-first business.

Oh well our current squad might be quite decent as others get watered down.

A big part of why we have locked up CNK

 

[Wrighty]

2027-19 teams

They will definitely want 20

 

[Tokyo Warrior]

"Southern Bulls" has a nice ring to it...

 

[Wrighty]

I think a 3rd team for Brisbane will be a strong push. This will be tight between CHCH and Brisbane #3

The standard to get your bid across the line seems to be incredibly high. These are some blue chip bids that have been backed.
PNG is resourced and cashed up by the Australian Federal Government. Try competing with that bid. They also have millions of fans.
Western Australia funded by their government. Again try competing with that.
If that is any indicator of the bar then the CHCH bid is way way way off the pace. Brisbane 3 is behind the 8 ball too. Whoever gets position 20 will be the final expansion you would think for a ten or 15 year horizon.
Both bids had better start working their Jacksies off to strengthen their value proposition.

 

[kos]

I think a 3rd team for Brisbane will be a strong push. This will be tight between CHCH and Brisbane #3

The standard to get your bid across the line seems to be incredibly high. These are some blue chip bids that have been backed.
PNG is resourced and cashed up by the Australian Federal Government. Try competing with that bid. They also have millions of fans.
Western Australia funded by their government. Again try competing with that.
If that is any indicator of the bar then the CHCH bid is way way way off the pace. Brisbane 3 is behind the 8 ball too. Whoever gets position 20 will be the final expansion you would think for a ten or 15 year horizon.
Both bids had better start working their Jacksies off to strengthen their value proposition.

Ben Ikin Chief of QLD Rugby League reckons an Ipswich team is ready to go
These guys have been in the starting blocks forever
I don’t know if there’s enough quality players to supply 20 teams

 

[Wrighty]

Ben Ikin Chief of QLD Rugby League reckons an Ipswich team is ready to go
These guys have been in the starting blocks forever
I don’t know if there’s enough quality players to supply 20 teams

There will be a lowering of the quality just a tad so that the Morgan Harpers of this world get a contract .Ed Kosi will get an offer from another team too.