TV games to decide club future

FIFTEEN games. The Western Force’s future will depend on this key figure.

As lawyers for the ARU and WA Rugby began their submissions at their arbitration hearing in Sydney yesterday, it emerged that a crucial point of argument is the difference in games between the 2017 broadcast agreement and the new proposed schedule for next year.

The 13 broadcasters remain the same. The broadcast money remains the same, and the term of the deal, through to the end of 2020, is also unchanged.

So the major contentions are the reduction of 18 teams to 15, and the difference in the number of total matches to be played under the two deals.

The current agreement stipulates a competition in which 135 regular round games and seven finals matches will be played.

The new proposed deal has 120 regular round games, and seven finals matches.

The difference between the 2017 model of 142 games opposed to new proposal of 135 games will be a major point of contention.

WA Rugby’s case is based on an alliance agreement with the ARU that guarantees them survival as part of the current broadcast deal.

They are arguing that this is the deal that must be adhered to. The ARU is arguing that the new deal is the binding agreement, therefore allowing them to cut the Western Force from the competition.

But WA Rugby see the new deal as virtually identical to the existing one, save for the reduction of three teams and 15 games.

The ARU had chief executive Bill Pulver and general counsel Richard Hawkins at Monday’s hearing, while their legal case is being led by former Australian solicitor-general Justin Gleeson.

The ARU’s departing chief financial officer, Todd Day, will also be called as a witness during arbitration.

WA Rugby’s case is being handled by former WA governor Malcolm McCusker.

Unlike the 2015 Super season involving 15 teams with a six-team finals system, SANZAAR will keep the current eight-team finals model for next year’s 15-team competition.