Grant says NRL can fix clubs issue

ARL Commission chairman John Grant is adamant the governing body will resolve a bitter dispute with clubs after revelations a cashflow issue will impact NRL handouts at the end of the year.

Grant admitted the NRL would have problems committing to increased club payments beyond November, as the game awaited the new broadcast revenue to kick in.

It was initially thought an extra 30 per cent of next year’s salary cap – believed to be around $9 million – would be given to the 16 franchises as part of their club grants.

However, club bosses were told on Wednesday at a scheduled meeting at league headquarters that the governing body would struggle to meet the timeline. Grant denied it was a funding shortfall.

“We’ve got an acknowledged issue with the NRL’s cashflow and that primarily exists because the advances we’ve had from broadcasters have been paid to clubs,” he said.