Potential pot of gold in NRL final
THE NRL is sitting on a potential $500 million pot of gold for the sale of its grand final for the next 25 years.
If Destinations NSW is prepared to pay the A-League $15 million to secure three soccer grand finals, it leaves the NRL in a powerful bargaining position after the March state election.
An NRL grand final over the October long weekend attracts tens of thousands of interstate and bush footy fans, filling hotel rooms, restaurants, bars and taxis.
Independent commission chairman Peter V’landys said: “Looking at what they’ve (government) paid for much inferior events they are going to have to get the chequebook out.
“We’re in a good position. We could sell the grand final interstate tomorrow. There is enormous interest. Every state in Australia would love to have it.
“It’s a major, major event. Outside of the AFL grand final, the Melbourne Cup, State of Origin and The Everest what else is there for national events? It is going to bring far more to Sydney’s economy than A-League grand finals.”
The NSW government paid $8 million to keep the NRL grand final in Sydney last year in a deal done at the last moment.
It previously had a 25-year agreement to keep the decider in Sydney but the deal became null and void when the government reneged on plans to rebuild Accor Stadium.
V’landys will not back down on his threat to take the game elsewhere if the money is not there in either cash or as a guarantee to spend money on suburban grounds in Sydney.
“Our job is to maximise revenue,” he said, “We have to future proof the game with strong investments.”