Extended stay will cost NRL millions
ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the competition faces an extended stay in Queensland in a move that could cost the NRL another $30m.
As Queensland moves to close its border to NSW from Friday, V’landys said the NRL was bracing for the code’s 16 teams to remain in the Sunshine State for longer than four weeks.
The increasing Covid crisis in Sydney has raised the scenario of Suncorp Stadium hosting a historic NRL grand final in Queensland this year.
The NRL originally planned to play the next month of games on Queensland soil,
but V’landys concedes the competition is set to remain north of the Tweed for an extended block – and possibly the rest of the 2021 season.
“To be honest, looking at the current situation, we will be in Queensland for more than four weeks,” he said.
“It depends on the lockdown in Sydney, but the Covid figures aren’t looking good.
“We aren’t just looking at how many infections there are, but how many Covid cases exist in the community that are being passed on.
“We’ll make decisions on the competition on a weekby-week basis. We’re constantly looking at the data and so far we’ve made the
right decisions, so if we have to keep the NRL running in Queensland, we’ll do that.”
It is estimated the NRL’s initial four-week relocation for the 16 clubs to stay at three sites at Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast has cost the code up to $15m.
Based on that figure, spending another two months in Queensland, including the finals series and grand final, slated for October 3, would represent a $30m bill for travel and accommodation.
But keeping the competition operational in Queensland would still be a profitable exercise for the NRL, which stands to pocket $91m in broadcasting revenue over the next seven rounds.
“This relocation will cost us between $10m and $15m but having crowds at games in Queensland will offset that cost,” V’landys said.
“If we don’t play at all, we lose $13m per round so it’s worth having the game in Queensland.
“We’ve reduced costs by $50m this year at League Central so financially the game is well positioned to handle this (Covid) situation.”
Maroons’ Origin and Penrith forward Kurt Capewell, who is in lockdown with the Panthers on the Sunshine Coast, said he would have no issue finishing the NRL season in Queensland.
“There were a few teething issues when we started lockdown but it’s starting to settle down,” he said.
“I was in camp for 11 days and played Origin, so it’s been a long time away from home and now I’ve gone from the Gold Coast to the Sunny Coast. It’s been thrown upon us pretty quick but the players will do whatever it takes to keep the comp going.”
Broncos coach Kevin Walters said the relocation had helped Queensland-based players at Brisbane, the Titans and Cowboys.
“I feel we are advantaged already being based here in Brisbane,” Walters said.
“We go back to our families and loved ones, whereas most of the other NRL clubs are in a hub.”